1838.] 



Motion of the Solar System in Space. 



389 



group of stars at any part of the heavens (paying attention to the 

 signs) should = 0 ; but, in case there should be a preponderance in fa- 

 vour of + or — in any one or more groups, we still should expect that 

 these groups taken in order, would exhibit no particular tendency : 

 not so, however, with apparent proper motion, here we must meet with 

 system ; we shall find -f- and — maxima, and others of intermediate 

 tendency ; thus, if the point N. figure 1, represent the point to which 

 the solar system be supposed to move ; all the stars situated in the 

 neighbourhood of this point and that at 180° distance from it, will ap- 

 pear undisturbed — here the apparent proper motion = 0 ; whereas 

 those situated in the great circle A B C to which these points form 

 the poles, will be disturbed with the maximum effect ; or rather, will 

 exhibit larger apparent proper motions than others not so situated.* 



In the table which now follows, containing the names of all the ob- 

 served proper motions after the above ascertamed true proper motion 

 stars have beeii excluded, I have arranged the stars in the order of 

 A. R. ; each group containing the stars situated within the hour ; and, 

 with reference to the declination, it will, I find, be very near the truth to 

 suppose the whole lo be situated in a circle of 15 o of north declination 

 or 75» of N. P. D. With this understandini^ we will now examine the 

 following table of proper motion in A. R. 



* We are here necessarily compelled to suppose that each group of stars is situated at 

 the same average distance from the sun. 



