646 PHILOSOPHTCAT. TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1683. 



Johannis Jacohi Zimmermanni Cometo-scopia ; or^ three Astronomical Relations 

 concerning the Comets that have appeared in the Years 168O, iSsi, l682. 

 Printed at Stutgard in 4to. Anno l682. N° 149, p. 272, 



The author of these descriptions divides every relation into 3 parts: first an 

 historical account, when and how the comets appeared, and in what manner he 

 observed them ; secondly, an astronomical calculation of their places and mo- 

 tions; and thirdly, an astro-theological prognostic of their effects. The prog- 

 nostic which he gives, is grounded on the vulgar supposition, that comets are 

 signs of such mischiefs and miseries as happen to men after a dissolute and irre- 

 gular life. As for the natural cause of the first comet, he thinks, that in the 

 same manner as the great conjunction of planets in Sagittarius produced a comet 

 in l663; so, by a new conjunction of Sol, Venus, Mercury, and Luna, in the 

 same sign, and in opposition to Jupiter, the like effect might be taken notice 

 of. But about the substance and original cause of comets, he has no mind to 

 say any thing, being doubtful what they truly are, the dispute of their parallax 

 not being yet fully decided, and so of their matter, whether ethereal or elemen- 

 tary, the question not resolved. But to show the agreement of this comet with 

 others that have been observed, he has composed a convenient table, contain- 

 ing a list of ail comets, that ever have been described by historians and astro- 

 nomers ; setting down first, the year before or after Christ when they have ap- 

 peared. 2. The place or country where they have been seen. 3. The authors 

 who have mentioned them. 4. The month or time of the year when first 

 seen. 5. The time of the day, whether in the evening or morning. 6. The 

 name and shape of the comets. 7. The situation, or to which part of the ho- 

 rizon their motion proceeded. 8. The whole arch or quantity of degrees which 

 they ran through. Q. The number or quantity of days which they were seen. 

 10. The degrees of their swiftest motion. ] 1. The degrees of the length of 

 their tail. 12. The direction of their tails to any part of the heaven. And 13. 

 The effects, mischiefs, and strange accidents, that have happened after their 

 appearance. Among these some have been observed in the shape of the sun, 

 some of the moon and Venus, sometimes there have been 3 or 4 comets toge- 

 ther as in the year 843 and 1529, ^c* ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ number of all in' 

 the space of 4000 years amounts to 370 comets. To which now must be 

 joined another, or the third comet that was seen in the year l682, in the month 

 of August. 



