Satellites of the Planet Saturn . i 
future time. It will be proper to mention, that I have deduced 
the epochae of all the feven fatellites from my own obferva- 
tions, and they will be found to differ confiderably from thofe 
which are given by M. de la Lande, in the Connoljfance des 
Temps for 1 791. But I have not attempted to extend them 
farther than a few years backwards or forwards, as I am not in 
poflefiion of any obfervations that could authorize me to under- 
take fuch a work. On the contrary, I am well convinced, 
that no tables will give us the fituation of the fatellites accu- 
rately, till we have at lead: eftablifhed the dimenfions of their 
elliptical orbits, and the motion as well as the fituation of their 
aphelia. The epochae for 1789, therefore* mud: be looked 
upon not as mean ones, but fuch as refpeCt the orbits of thefe 
fatellites in their fituation during the time of the following 
obfervations ; and the two preceding, and two following years* 
mud: be already a little affeCted with thofe errors which are 
the neceffary confequence of our not knowing the required 
elements. I flatter myfelf, however, that the obfervations, 
which are delivered in this Paper, will ferve as a beginning to 
a proper foundation for inveftigating them. The many con- 
junctions between the fatellites, for indance, will undoubtedly 
throw fome light on the fituation and excentricitv of their 
orbits ; as it will be found, that the calculated places of thefe 
conjunctions require elliptical motions to bring the fatellites to 
fuch appearances, which, in circular orbits, could not fo accu- 
rately have taken place. Nor can we afcribe the difagreements 
to the fault of the obfervations, iince a very few minutes will 
fuffice to determine the time of a conjunction, which never 
lads long. For this reafon alfo, I have carefully avoided de- 
ducing my epochae from conjunctions, even with the 6th 
fatellite, 
