54 
Dr. Brinkley’s elements of 
occasions the final equations, by using a formula for the com- 
putation of V, different from that given by M. Laplace. 
Previously to the computation, I re-calculated the observa- 
tions of April 8, 11, 14, 21, and May 3, using the places of the 
stars as given by M. Piazzi. This perhaps was unnecessary. 
The results were 
At 
Declination S. 
h. m. s. 
April 8 
2 34 15,0 
7 Si 5 2 
1 1 
2 46 28,0 
7 12 4 
*4 
2 57 14,2 
6 33 51 
21 
3 i 7 46,1 
5 13 35 
May 3 
3 44 * 9>7 
3 2 S 55 
By M. Laplace’s method, “ Determination approchee, &c.” 
the observations of April 8, 11, and 14, give perihelion dist. 
( p ) = ,0865, and time of perihelion, March ig d 14 11 4“. 
Let the true perihelion dist. = />-[- dp, and lime of peri- 
helion = March ic) d 14 11 4 m — dt , so that t being the interval 
between March I9 d 14 11 4“, and the observation of April 8, 
the true value of t — t-^dt. 
Let also T= the time in the table of the comet of 109 days, 
when the anomaly = v. 
A — variation of anomaly in that table in one day at time 
T, and r = comet’s distance from the sun 
Then <* = (!_;») A - - (,) 
and ( x ) tan i » + (O 
Conceive the triangle in which S, T, C, represent the sun, 
earth, and comet respectively, and let P represent the pro- 
jection of the comet on the plane of the earth’s orbit. 
