and positions of 4t5^ double and triple stars , &c. 279 



No. DCCLXXXII. continued. 



The star is a remarkable one ; and from its magnitude and 

 situation in the heavens, not to be confounded with any other. 

 The proper motions assigned to this star in Piazzi's Cata- 

 logue, account satisfactorily for the change observed. They 

 are respectively + o".o8 in R. A. and — 0^.29 in declination. 

 These motions, in 44 years, would carry the large star 3". 5 

 to the following, and 12". 8 to the south side of its place in 

 1781, or, in a direction, making an angle of 74° 5/ with the 

 parallel. Supposing then the small star fixed, the present 

 angle of position and distance should be 47** nf and 22". 5 

 instead of 48° s' and 26''.24 which observation makes them. 

 If we consider the uncertainty which necessarily hangs about 

 the earlier distance, depending as it does on a single mea- 

 sure, and from the extreme minuteness of the small star, 

 liable easily to an error of 2 or 3", it will be allowed that a 

 more satisfactory verification of the proper motion of the 

 one star, and the comparative fixity of the other, could 

 hardly have been looked for. This, among other similar 

 instances, will serve to show the advantage which may be 

 taken of the measures of double stars in all researches 

 relating to the proper motions of the stars. This star appears 

 to be a fit object for the investigation of parallax, (H.) . 



No. DCCLXXXIII. R. A. 21^ 7" ; Decl. 8° 23' S. 

 Struve, 716 ; Hist. Gael. 197. 

 Double ; 9th and 9 J magnitudes. 



Passy ; September 23, 1824 ; Seven-feet Equatorial. 



Distance = 5".i67 | 5 Obs. j Diff. = ©".889. Extremely difficult. 

 These stars scarcely bear any illumination. 



