ABA Scientific Intelligence. 
ley. The following summary may give some idea of the nature of his 
labors. 
1. Of 15 stars in the group of the Pleiades, there is a great unifor- 
mity in the proper motions, and a general decrease of declination. 
2. Of 12 other stars observed by Bradley within 5° of the Dlaingon 
= declinations have been generally decreasing since 1 
. Of 35 stars observed by Bradley from 5° to 10° distant from the 
os the same remark is true. 
4. Of 57 stars observed by Bradley from 10 to 15° distant. from the 
Pleiades, the declinations are generally decreasing. 
Out of 110 stars within 15° of the Pleiades, whose ‘Siclitanolan are 
given by Bradley, we find— 
motions towards the South ; 
49 motions very slow and yet undetermined ; 
1? towards the North. 
Madler explains these facts by ascribing to the solar system a motion 
nearly perpendicular to the ecliptic. He also remarks that the proper 
motions of the stars increase with their distance from the Pleiades, the 
greatest proper motions known (5 to 6”) occurring at a distance of 
about 90°. Midler therefore concludes that the Pleiades constitute the 
central group of the system of fixed stars which compose the Milky 
Way, and that Alcyone is that particular star which is most pene 
the true central sun. 
Alcyone, known also as 7 Tauri, or 25 Tauri, is a double star of the 
third or fourth’ magnitude in A. R. 3h. 38m. ; Dec. 23° 39’ N. 
Madler estimates the distance of Aleyeiin from us to be such as 
light would require 537 years to traverse. 
The time of one revolution of the sun about Alcyone he estimates 
at 18 millions of years. The mass of all the bodies whose distance 
from the central sun is not greater than our own, he estimates at 117 
million times that of our sun. 
Prof. Schumacher in giving place to this remarkable memoir in the 
Astronomische Nachrichten, intimates that he entertains some doubts 
respecting the conclusions—doubts which will probably be shared by 
many other astronomers. 
4. Antares.—The announcement of the triplicity of the star Anta- 
res, at p. 280, was premature. It is probable that the appearance of 
the minute companion of a green color, is a result of prismatic dis- 
persion ; and that Antares is consequently a double star only. 
5. The new Planet Astrea.—This newly discovered member of our 
_ System was followed at the principal European Observatories until it 
= too near the sun to be longer observed. The following are the 
ae 2 
po So ee 
