Galileo: SIDEREUS NUNCIUS Galileo Galilei

Prêclarum sane atque humanitatis plenum eorum fuit institutum, qui excellentium virtute virorum res prêclare gestas ab invidia tutari, eorumque immortalitate digna nomina ab oblivione atque interitu vindicare, conati sunt. Hinc ad memoriam posteritatis proditê imagines, vel marmore insculptê, vel ex êre fictê; hinc positê statuê, tam pedestres, quam equestres; hinc columnarum atque pyramidum, ut inquit ille, sumptus ad sidera ducti; hinc denique urbes êdificatê, eorumque insignitê nominibus, quos grata posteritas êternitati commendandos existimavit. Eiusmodi est enim humanê mentis conditio, ut nisi assiduis rerum simulacris in eam extrinsecus irrumpentibus pulsetur, omnis ex illa recordatio facile effluat.

Truly illustrious and full of humanity was the design of those who strove to protect from envy the deeds nobly accomplished by men outstanding in virtue, and to vindicate from oblivion and destruction their names worthy of immortality. Hence, for the memory of posterity, images have been brought forth, either engraved in marble or fashioned from bronze; hence statues have been set up, both pedestrian and equestrian; hence the expenditures for columns and pyramids—drawn, as he says, up to the stars; hence, finally, cities have been built and inscribed with the names of those whom grateful posterity judged should be commended to eternity. For such is the condition of the human mind, that unless it is struck by assiduous likenesses of things breaking in upon it from without, every recollection easily flows out of it.

Verum alii firmiora ac diuturniora spectantes, êternum summorum virorum prêconium non saxis ac metallis, sed Musarum custodiê et incorruptis litterarum monumentis consecrarunt. At quid ego ista commemoro? quasi vero humana solertia, his contenta regionibus, ulterius progredi non sit ausa; attamen longius illa prospiciens, cum optime intelligeret, omnia humana monumenta vi tempestate ac vetustate tandem interire, incorruptiora signa excogitavit, in quê tempus edax atque invidiosa vetustas nullum sibi ius vindicaret.

But others, looking to things firmer and more long-lasting, consecrated the eternal proclamation of the highest men not to stones and metals, but to the guardianship of the Muses and the incorrupt monuments of letters. But why do I recall these things? as though in truth human ingenuity, content with these regions, had not dared to advance further; yet looking farther ahead, since it very well understood that all human monuments at length perish by the force of storm and of age, it devised more incorruptible signs, in which devouring time and envious old age would claim no right for itself.

In cêlum itaque migrans, clarissimorum Siderum notis sempiternis illis Orbibus eorum nomina consignavit, qui ob egregia ac prope divina facinora digni habiti sunt, qui una cum Astris êvo sempiterno fruerentur. Quam ob rem non prius Iovis, Martis, Mercurii, Herculis cêterorumque heroum, quorum nominibus Stellê appellantur, fama obscurabitur, quam ipsorum Siderum splendor extinguatur. Hoc autem humanê sagacitatis inventum, cum primis nobile ac mirandum, multorum iam sêculorum intervallo exolevit, priscis heroibus lucidas illas sedes occupantibus ac suo quasi iure tenentibus: in quorum cœtum frustra pietas Augusti Iulium Cêsarem cooptare conata est; nam cum Stellam suo tempore exortam, ex iis quas Grêci Cometas, nostri Crinitas vocant, Iulium Sidus nuncupari voluisset, brevi illa evanescens, tantê cupiditatis spem delusit.

Therefore migrating into heaven, he consigned the names of those who, on account of outstanding and nearly divine deeds, were deemed worthy to enjoy together with the Stars an age sempiternal, to the Orbs of the most illustrious Constellations by those sempiternal marks. For which reason, the fame of Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Hercules, and the other heroes, by whose names the Stars are called, will not be obscured sooner than the splendor of the Stars themselves shall be extinguished. But this invention of human sagacity, most noble and admirable among the first, has now faded with the interval of many ages, as the ancient heroes occupy those bright seats and hold them, as it were, by their own right: into whose company the piety of Augustus tried in vain to co-opt Julius Caesar; for when he wished that the Star arisen at its time—of those which the Greeks call Comets, our people Crinites (“Hairy-ones”)—be named the Julian Star, it, soon evanescing, deluded the hope of so great a desire.

Atqui longe veriora ac feliciora, Princeps Serenissime, Celsitudini tuê possumus augurari; nam vix dum in terris immortalia animi tui decora fulgere cœperunt, cum in Cêlis lucida Sidera sese offerunt, quê tanquam linguê prestantissimas virtutes tuas in omne tempus loquantur ac celebrent. En igitur quatuor Sidera tuo inclyto nomini reservata, neque illa de gregario ac minus insigni inerrantium numero, sed ex illustri vagantium ordine; quê quidem disparibus inter se motibus circum Iovis Stellam cêterarum nobilissimam, tanquam germana eius progenies, cursus suos orbesque conficiunt celeritate mirabili, interea dum unanimi concordia circa mundi centrum, circa Solem nempe ipsum, omnia simul duodecimo quoque anno magnas convolutiones absolvunt. Ut autem inclito Celsitudinis tuê nomini prê ceteris novos hosce Planetas destinarem, ipsemet Siderum Opifex perspicuis argumentis me admonere visus est.

And yet far
truer and more felicitous things, Most Serene Prince, can we augur for Your Highness; for scarcely
yet had the immortal adornments of your mind begun to shine upon earth, when in the Heavens bright
Stars present themselves, which, as tongues, may speak and celebrate your most outstanding virtues for all time.
Behold therefore four Stars reserved for your renowned name, and not from the common and less distinguished number
of the inerrant ones, but from the illustrious order of the wanderers; which indeed, with motions unequal among themselves,
around the Star of Jove, the most noble of the rest, as its own legitimate progeny, complete their courses and orbits
with marvelous celerity, while meanwhile, with unanimous concord around the center of the world, namely around the Sun itself,
all together every twelfth year complete great convolutions. And so that I might assign to the renowned name of Your Highness
before the rest these new Planets, the very Artificer of the Stars seemed to admonish me by clear arguments.

Etenim, quemadmodum hê Stellê, tanquam Iove digna proles, nunquam ab illius latere, nisi exiguo intervallo, discedunt; ita quis ignorat clementiam, animi mansuetudinem, morum suavitatem, regii sanguinis splendorem, in actionibus maiestatem, auctoritatis et Imperii in alios amplitudinem, quê quidem omnia in tua Celsitudine sibi domicilium ac sedem collocarunt, quis, inquam, ignorat, hêc omnia ex benignissimo Iovis astro, secundum Deum omnium bonorum fontem, emanare? Iuppiter, Iuppiter, inquam, a primo Celsitudinis tuê ortu, turbidos horizontis vapores iam transgressus, mediumque cêli cardinem occupans, orientalemque angulum sua regia illustrans, felicissimum partum ex sublimi illo throno prospexit, omnemque splendorem atque amplitudinem suam in purissimum aÎrem profudit, ut universam illam vim ac potestatem tenerum corpusculum una cum animo, nobilioribus ornamentis iam a Deo decorato, primo spiritu hauriret. Verum, quid ego probabilibus utor argumentationibus, cum id necessaria propemodum ratione concludere ac demonstrare queam?

Indeed, just as these Stars, as progeny worthy of Jupiter, never depart from his side, save by a slight interval; so who is ignorant that clemency, mildness of mind, sweetness of manners, the splendor of royal blood, majesty in actions, the breadth of authority and Empire over others—things which have all placed for themselves a dwelling and seat in your Highness—who, I say, is ignorant that all these emanate from Jupiter’s most benign star, the fountain of all goods next after God? Jupiter, Jupiter, I say, from the very rising of your Highness, having already crossed the turbid vapors of the horizon, occupying the mid-heaven, and illuminating the eastern angle with his royalty, looked forth from that lofty throne upon a most felicitous birth, and poured all his splendor and amplitude into the purest air, so that the whole force and power might be drunk in with the first breath by the tender little body together with the soul, already adorned by God with more noble ornaments. But why do I employ probable argumentations, when I can conclude and demonstrate this almost by necessary reasoning?

Placuit Deo Optimo Maximo, ut a Serenissimis parentibus tuis non indignus existimarer, qui Celsitudini tuê in tradendis Mathematicis disciplinis operam navarem; quod quidem prêstiti quatuor superioribus annis proxime elapsis, eo anni tempore, quo a severioribus studiis ocium esse consuevit. Quo circa cum mihi divinitus plane contigerit, ut Celsitudini tuê inservirem, atque ideo incredibilis clementiê ac benignitatis tuê radios propius exceperim, quid mirum si animus meus adeo incaluit, ut nihil aliud propemodum dies noctesque meditetur, quam ut ego, qui non solum animo, sed etiam ipso ortu ac natura, sub tua dominatione sum, tuê gloriê cupidissimus et quam gratissimus erga te esse cognoscar? Quê cum ita sint, cum, te Auspice, COSME Serenissime, has Stellas superioribus Astronomis omnibus incognitas exploraverim, optimo iure eas Augustissimo Prosapiê tuê nomine insignire decrevi.

It pleased the Best and Greatest God that I should be judged not unworthy by your Most Serene parents to devote my effort to your Highness in imparting the Mathematical disciplines; which indeed I rendered during the four years immediately past, at that season of the year when leisure from severer studies is wont to be. Wherefore, since it has plainly befallen me divinely that I should serve your Highness, and therefore have received more closely the rays of your incredible clemency and benignity, what wonder if my spirit has so warmed that it meditates almost nothing else day and night than that I—who not only in spirit, but also by very birth and nature, am under your dominion—may be known as most desirous of your glory and as grateful as possible toward you? Since these things are so, since, under your Auspices, COSME Most Serene, I have explored these Stars unknown to all prior Astronomers, by best right I have resolved to inscribe them with the name of your Most August Lineage.

Quod si illas primus indagavi, quis me iure reprehendat, si iisdem quoque nomen imposuero, ac MEDICEA SIDERA appellaro? sperans fore, ut tantum dignitatis ex hac appellatione iis Sideribus accedat, quantum alia cêteris Heroibus attulerunt. Nam, ut taceam de Serenissimis tuis Maioribus, quorum gloriam sempiternam omnium historiarum monumenta testantur, sola tua virtus, Maxime Heros, illis Astris impertiri potest nominis immortalitatem.

If I have been the first to track them out, who will with justice reprehend me, if I should also impose a name upon the same, and call them MEDICEAN STARS? hoping that as much dignity from this appellation may accrue to those Stars as others have brought to other Heroes. For, to be silent of your Most Serene Ancestors, whose everlasting glory the monuments of all histories attest, your virtue alone, Greatest Hero, can impart to those Stars the immortality of a name.

Cui enim dubium esse potest, quin, quam tui expectationem felicissimis imperii auspiciis concitasti, quamvis summam, eam non solum sustineas ac tuearis, verum etiam longo intervallo superaturus sis? ut cum alios tui similes viceris, tecum nihilominus ipse certes, ac te ipso ac magnitudine tua in dies maior evadas.

For who can be in doubt that, the expectation of you which you have stirred under the most felicitous auspices of empire, however supreme, you will not only sustain and protect, but indeed are going to surpass by a long interval? so that, when you have conquered others similar to yourself, nevertheless you contend with yourself, and by yourself and your magnitude you become greater day by day.

Suscipe itaque, Clementissime Princeps, hanc tibi ab Astris reservatam gentiliciam gloriam, et illis divinis bonis, quê non tam a Stellis, quam a Stellarum Opifice ac Moderatore Deo, tibi deferuntur, quam diutissime fruere.

Receive therefore, Most Clement Prince, this ancestral glory reserved for you by the Stars, and enjoy for as long as possible those divine goods, which are conferred upon you not so much by the Stars as by the Artificer of the Stars and their Moderator, God.

Datum Patavii, 4 Idus Martii, MDCX.

Given at Padua, the 4th day before the Ides of March, 1610.

Addictissimus Servus
Galileus Galileus.

Most Devoted Servant
Galileo Galilei.

Gli Eccellentissimi Signori Capi dell'Ecc. Cons. de' X infrascritti, avuta fede dalli Signori Reformatori del Studio di Padova per relazione delli due a questo deputati, cioË dal Rever.

The Most Excellent Lords Heads of the Most Excellent Council of 10 undersigned, having received assurance from the Lords Reformers of the Studium of Padua by the report of the two deputed to this, namely from the Rev.

P. Inquisitor, e dal circospetto Secretario del Senato, Gio. Maraviglia, con giuramento, come nel libro intitolato: SIDEREUS NUNCIUS etc. di D. Galileo Galilei non si trova alcuna cosa contraria alla Santa Fede Cattolica, Prencipi e buoni costumi, e che Ë degno di stampa, concedono licenza che possi esser stampato in questa Cittý.

By the Inquisitor, and by the circumspect Secretary of the Senate, Gio. Maraviglia, under oath, that in the book entitled: SIDEREUS NUNCIUS etc. by D. Galileo Galilei there is found nothing contrary to the Holy Catholic Faith, to princes and good morals, and that it is worthy of the press, they grant license that it may be printed in this City.

Datum die primo Martii 1610.

Given on the first day of March 1610.

D. M. Ant. Valaresso
D. NicolÚ Bon Capi dell'Ecc. Cons.

Don M. Ant. Valaresso
Don NicolÚ Bon, Heads of the Most Excellent Council.

de' X
D. Lunardo Marcello

of the 10
D. Leonardo Marcello

Illustrissimi Consilii X Secretarius
Bartholomês Cominus.

The Secretary of the Most Illustrious Council of 10
Bartholomês Cominus.

1610, a doe 8 Marzo. Regist. in libro a car.

1610, on the day 8 March. Registered in the book, on the folio.

39.

Ioan. Baptista Breatto off.
Con.

John Baptist Breatto off.
Con.

Blasph. Coad.

Blasph. Coadjutor.

OBSERVATIONES RECENS HABITAS NOVI PERSPICILLI BENEFICIO IN LUNE FACIE, LACTEO CIRCULO STELLISQUE NEBULOSIS, INNUMERIS FIXIS, NECNON IN QUATUOR PLANETIS MEDICEA SIDERA NUNCUPATIS, NUNQUAM CONSPECTIS ADHUC, CONTINENS ATQUE DECLARANS

OBSERVATIONS RECENTLY MADE BY THE BENEFIT OF A NEW PERSPICILLUM ON THE FACE OF THE MOON, THE MILKY CIRCLE AND NEBULOUS STARS, THE INNUMERABLE FIXED STARS, AND ALSO IN THE FOUR PLANETS CALLED THE MEDICEAN STARS, NEVER YET SEEN, CONTAINING AND DECLARING

Magna equidem in hac exigua tractatione singulis de natura speculantibus inspicienda contemplandaque propono. Magna, inquam, tum ob rei ipsius prêstantiam, tum ob inauditam per êvum novitatem, tum etiam propter Organum, cuius beneficio eadem sensui nostro obviam sese fecerunt.

Great things indeed in this slight treatise I set forth for individuals speculating about nature to be inspected and contemplated. Great things, I say, both on account of the excellence of the thing itself, and on account of unheard-of novelty through the aeon, and also because of the Organum, by whose benefit the same things have presented themselves to our sense.

Magnum sane est, supra numerosam inerrantium Stellarum multitudinem, quê naturali facultate in hunc usque diem conspici potuerunt, alias innumeras superaddere oculisque palam exponere, antehac conspectas nunquam, et quê veteres ac notas plusquam supra decuplam multiplicitatem superent.

It is truly great, over and above the numerous multitude of the inerrant Stars, which by natural faculty up to this day could be beheld, to superadd other innumerable ones and to expose them openly to the eyes, never before seen, and which surpass the old and well-known by more than a tenfold multiplicity.

Pulcherrimum atque visu iucundissimum est, lunare corpus, per sex denas fere terrestres semidiametros a nobis remotum, tam ex propinquo intueri, ac si per duas tantum easdem dimensiones distaret; adeo ut eiusdem Lunê diameter vicibus quasi terdenis, superficies vero noningentis, solidum autem corpus vicibus proxime viginti septem millibus, maius appareat, quam dum libera tantum oculorum acie spectatur: ex quo deinde sensata certitudine quispiam intelligat, Lunam superficie leni et perpolita nequaquam esse indutam, sed aspera et inêquali; ac, veluti ipsiusmet Telluris facies, ingentibus tumoribus, profundis lacunis atque anfractibus undiquaque confertam existere.

It is most beautiful and most delightful to the sight to behold the lunar body, removed from us by almost sixty terrestrial semidiameters, from so near as if it were separated by only two of the same dimensions; to such a degree that the Moon’s diameter by, as it were, thirty times, the surface indeed by nine hundred, but the solid body by nearly twenty-seven thousand times, appears greater than when it is viewed by the naked eye alone: whence then with sensory certainty one may understand that the Moon is by no means clad with a smooth and highly polished surface, but is rough and uneven; and, just as the very face of the Earth itself, is everywhere crowded with huge protuberances, deep hollows, and anfractuosities.

Altercationes insuper de Galaxia, seu de Lacteo circulo, substulisse, eiusque essentiam sensui, nedum intellectui, manifestasse, parvi momenti existimandum minime videtur; insuperque substantiam Stellarum, quas Nebulosas hucusque Astronomorum quilibet appellavit, digito demonstrare, longeque aliam esse quam creditum hactenus est, iocundum erit atque perpulcrum.

Moreover, to have removed altercations about the Galaxy, or the Lacteal circle, and to have manifested its essence to sense, not to say to the intellect, does by no means seem to be to be considered of small moment; moreover, to point out with the finger the substance of the Stars, which up to now every Astronomer has called Nebulous, and to show that it is far other than has hitherto been believed, will be pleasant and very beautiful.

Verum, quod omnem admirationem longe superat, quodve admonitos faciendos cunctos Astronomos atque Philosophos nos apprime impulit, illud est, quod scilicet quatuor Erraticas Stellas, nemini eorum qui ante nos cognitas aut observatas, adinvenimus, quê circa Stellam quandam insignem e numero cognitarum, instar Veneris atque Mercurii circa Solem, suas habent periodos, eamque modo prêeunt, modo subsequuntur, nunquam extra certos limites ab illa digredientes. Quê omnia ope Perspicilli a me excogitati, divina prius illuminante gratia, paucis abhinc diebus, reperta atque observata fuerunt.

But what far surpasses all admiration, and what has especially impelled us to make all Astronomers and Philosophers be admonished, is this: namely, that we have discovered four Erratic Stars, known or observed by none of those before us, which, around a certain remarkable Star from the number of the known, after the manner of Venus and Mercury around the Sun, have their periods, and now go before it, now follow after it, never departing from it beyond certain limits. All these things, by the aid of the spyglass devised by me, divine grace first enlightening, a few days ago were found and observed.

Alia forte prêstantiora, vel a me, vel ab aliis, in dies adinvenientur consimilis Organi beneficio; cuius formam et apparatum, necnon illius excogitandi occasionem, prius breviter commemorabo, deinde habitarum a me observationum historiam recensebo.

Other perhaps more preeminent things, either by me or by others, will day by day be discovered by the benefit of a similar Organ; of which form and apparatus, as well as the occasion of devising it, I will first briefly recount, then I will review the history of the observations made by me.

Mensibus abhinc decem fere, rumor ad aures nostras increpuit, fuisse a quodam Belga Perspicillum elaboratum, cuius beneficio obiecta visibilia, licet ab oculo inspicientis longe dissita, veluti propinqua distincte cernebantur; ac huius profecto admirabilis effectus nonnullê experientiê circumferebantur, quibus fidem alii prêbebant, negabant alii. Idem paucos post dies mihi per literas a nobili Gallo Iacobo Badovere ex Lutetia confirmatum est; quod tandem in causa fuit, ut ad rationes inquirendas, necnon media excogitanda, per quê ad consimilis Organi inventionem devenirem, me totum converterem; quam paulo post, doctrinê de refractionibus innixus, assequutus sum: ac tubum primo plumbeum mihi paravi, in cuius extremitatibus vitrea duo Perspicilla, ambo ex altera parte plana, ex altera vero unum sphêrice convexum, alterum vero cavum aptavi; oculum deinde ad cavum admovens obiecta satis magna et propinqua intuitus sum; triplo enim viciniora, nonuplo vero maiora apparebant, quam dum sola naturali acie spectarentur. Alium postmodum exactiorem mihi elaboravi, qui obiecta plusquam sexagesies maiora reprêsentabat.

About ten months ago, a rumor rang in our ears that a certain Fleming had elaborated a spyglass, by whose benefit visible objects, although far distant from the eye of the beholder, were seen distinctly as if near at hand; and indeed of this admirable effect some experiences were being circulated, to which some were lending credence, others were denying it. The same thing a few days later was confirmed to me by letters from the noble Frenchman Jacques Badovere from Paris; which at length was the cause that I should devote myself wholly to inquiring into the reasons, and likewise to devising the means, by which I might come to the invention of a similar Organ; which a little afterward, relying on the doctrine of refractions, I achieved: and first I prepared for myself a leaden tube, at the extremities of which I fitted two glass lenses, both flat on one side, but on the other, the one spherically convex, the other concave; then, applying my eye to the concave, I gazed upon objects quite large and near; for they appeared threefold nearer, and indeed ninefold larger, than when they were viewed by the natural sight alone. Afterwards I wrought for myself another, more exact, which represented objects more than sixty times larger.

Tandem, labori nullo nullisque sumptibus parcens, eo a me deventum est, ut Organum mihi construxerim adeo excellens, ut res per ipsum visê millies fere maiores appareant, ac plusquam in terdecupla ratione viciniores, quam si naturali tantum facultate spectentur. Huius Instrumenti quot quantaque sint commoda, tam in re terrestri quam in maritima, omnino supervacaneum foret enumerare. Sed, missis terrenis, ad Cêlestium speculationes me contuli; ac Lunam prius tam ex propinquo sum intuitus, ac si vix per duas Telluris diametros abesset.

Finally, sparing neither toil nor any expenses, I came to the point that I constructed for myself an Organ so excellent that things seen through it appear almost a thousand times larger, and more than thirteen times nearer than if they were viewed by natural faculty alone. How many and how great are the advantages of this Instrument, both in terrestrial matters and in maritime, it would be altogether superfluous to enumerate. But, terrestrial things set aside, I turned myself to observations of the Celestial; and first I gazed upon the Moon from so close at hand as if it were scarcely two diameters of the Earth away.

Post hanc, Stellas tum fixas, tum vagas, incredibili animi iucunditate sêpius observavi; cumque harum maximam frequentiam viderem, de ratione, qua illarum interstitia dimetiri possem, excogitare cœpi, ac demum reperi. Qua de re singulos prêmonitos esse decet, qui ad huiuscemodi observationes accedere volunt. Primo enim necessarium est, ut sibi Perspicillum parent exactissimum, quod obiecta perlucida, distincta et nulla caligine obducta reprêsentet; eademque ad minus secundum quatercentuplam rationem multiplicet; tunc enim illa bisdecuplo viciniora commonstrabit: nisi enim tale fuerit Instrumentum, ea omnia quê a nobis conspecta sunt in cêlis, quêve infra enumerabuntur, intueri tentabitur frustra.

After this, I more often observed the stars, both fixed and wandering, with incredible delight of mind; and since I saw their very great multitude, I began to think out a method by which I might measure their intervals, and at length I discovered it. Concerning which matter it is fitting that each be fore-warned who wishes to approach observations of this kind. For first it is necessary that one provide for oneself a Spyglass most exact, which may present objects pellucid, distinct, and overcast with no haze; and that the same magnify at least according to a four-hundredfold ratio; for then it will point out those things as twentyfold nearer: for unless the Instrument be of such a sort, whoever shall attempt to behold all those things which have been seen by us in the heavens, and which will be enumerated below, will attempt it in vain.

Ut autem de multiplicatione instrumenti quilibet parvo negotio certior reddatur, circulos binos aut quadrata bina chartacea contornabit, quorum alterum quatercenties altero maius existat; id autem erit tunc, cum maioris diameter ad diametrum alterius longitudine fuerit vigecupla: deinde superficies ambas in eodem pariete infixas simul a longe spectabit, minorem quidem altero oculo ad Perspicillum admoto, maiorem vero altero oculo libero; commode enim id fieri licet uno eodemque tempore, oculis ambobus adapertis: tunc enim figurê ambê eiusdem apparebunt magnitudinis, si Organum secundum optatam proportionem obiecta multiplicaverit. Consimili parato Instrumento, de ratione distantiarum dimetiendarum inquirendum erit: quod tali artificio assequemur.

Now, in order that anyone may with little trouble be made more certain about the multiplication of the instrument, he will trace two paper circles or two paper squares, of which one shall be 400 times larger than the other; and this will be the case when the diameter of the greater shall be twentyfold in length compared to the diameter of the other: then he will view both surfaces affixed on the same wall at once from afar, the smaller indeed with one eye applied to the Perspicillum, but the greater with the other eye free; for this can conveniently be done at one and the same time, with both eyes open: then both figures will appear of the same magnitude, if the Organ has multiplied the objects according to the desired proportion. With an Instrument prepared in a similar way, inquiry must be made concerning the method of measuring distances: which we shall attain by such an artifice.

Sit enim, facilioris intelligentiê gratia, tubus ABCD. Oculus inspicientis esto E. Radii, dum nulla in tubo adessent Perspicilla, ad obiectum FG secundum lineas rectas ECF, EDG ferrentur; sed, appositis Perspicillis, ferantur secundum lineas refractas ECH, EDI: coarctantur enim, et qui prius liberi ad FG obiectum dirigebantur, partem tantummodo HI comprêhendent. Accepta deinde ratione distantiê EH ad lineam HI, per tabulam sinuum reperietur quantitas anguli in oculo ex obiecto HI constituti, quem minuta quêdam tantum continere comperiemus.

Let there be, for the sake of easier understanding, a tube ABCD. The eye of the observer shall be E. The rays, while no Perspicilla were present in the tube, would be carried to the object FG along the straight lines ECF, EDG; but, with the Perspicilla applied, let them be carried along the refracted lines ECH, EDI: for they are narrowed, and those which previously free were directed to the object FG will comprehend only the part HI. Then, the ratio having been taken of the distance EH to the line HI, through the table of sines there will be found the quantity of the angle in the eye constituted from the object HI, which we shall find to contain only certain minutes.

Quod si Specillo CD bracteas, alias maioribus, alias vero minoribus perforatas foraminibus, aptaverimus, modo hanc, modo illam, prout opus fuerit, superimponentes, angulos alios atque alios pluribus paucioribusque minutis subtendentes, pro libito constituemus; quorum ope Stellarum intercapedines, per aliquot minuta adinvicem dissitarum, citra unius aut alterius minuti peccatum, commode dimetiri poterimus. Hêc tamen sic leviter tetigisse, et quasi primoribus libasse labiis, in prêsentiarum sit satis; per aliam enim occasionem absolutam huius Organi theoriam in medium proferemus. Nunc observationes a nobis duobus proxime elapsis mensibus habitas recenseamus, ad magnarum profecto contemplationum exordia omnes verê philosophiê cupidos convocantes.

But if, to the Specillum CD, we shall have fitted thin plates, some pierced with larger, others indeed with smaller holes, now this one, now that one, as there shall be need, superimposing them, we shall establish at pleasure different angles subtending more or fewer minutes, by whose aid we shall be able conveniently to measure the intervals of Stars, separated from one another by several minutes, without the error of a single minute either way. These things, however, thus to have lightly touched upon, and as it were to have sipped with the tips of the lips, let it be enough for the present; for on another occasion we will bring forth into the open the complete theory of this Organ. Now let us review the observations held by us in the two months lately elapsed, summoning indeed all truly desirous of philosophy to the beginnings of great contemplations.

De facie autem Lunê, quê ad aspectum nostrum vergit, primo loco dicamus. Quam, facilioris intelligentiê gratia, in duas partes distinguo, alteram nempe clariorem, obscuriorem alteram: clarior videtur totum hemisphêrium ambire atque perfundere, obscurior vero, veluti nubes quêdam, faciem ipsam inficit maculosamque reddit. Istê autem maculê, subobscurê et satis amplê, unicuique sunt obviê, illasque êvum omne conspexit; quapropter magnas, seu antiquas, eas appellabimus, ad differentiam aliarum macularum amplitudine minorum, at frequentia ita consitarum, ut totam Lunarem superficiem, prêsertim vero lucidiorem partem, conspergant; hê vero a nemine ante nos observatê fuerunt: ex ipsarum autem sêpius iteratis inspectionibus in eam deducti sumus sententiam, ut certo intelligamus, Lunê superficiem, non perpolitam, êquabilem, exactissimêque sphêricitatis existere, ut magna philosophorum cohors de ipsa deque reliquis corporibus cêlestibus opinata est, sed, contra, inêqualem, asperam, cavitatibus tumoribusque confertam, non secus ac ipsiusmet Telluris facies, quê montium iugis valliumque profunditatibus hinc inde distinguitur.

Concerning the face of the Moon, which inclines toward our view, let us speak in the first place. Which, for the sake of easier understanding, I distinguish into two parts, the one namely brighter, the other darker: the brighter seems to encircle and suffuse the whole hemisphere, while the darker, like a certain cloud, stains the face itself and makes it maculate. These spots, somewhat dim and quite ample, are obvious to everyone, and every age has looked upon them; wherefore we shall call them great, or ancient, in distinction from other spots smaller in amplitude, but so thickly sown in frequency that they besprinkle the whole Lunar surface, and especially the brighter part; but these truly had been observed by no one before us: moreover, from repeated inspections of them we have been led to this opinion, that we understand with certainty that the surface of the Moon does not exist polished, even, and of the most exact sphericity, as a great cohort of philosophers has supposed concerning it and the remaining celestial bodies, but, on the contrary, uneven, rough, crowded with cavities and protuberances, not otherwise than the face of the Earth itself, which is distinguished here and there by mountain ridges and depths of valleys.

Apparentiê vero, ex quibus haec colligere licuit, eiusmodi sunt.

The appearances, indeed, from which it was permitted to collect these things, are of this sort.

Quarta aut quinta post coniunctionem die, cum splendidis Luna sese nobis cornibus offert, iam terminus partem obscuram a luminosa dividens non êquabiliter secundum ovalem lineam extenditur, veluti in solido perfecte sphêrico accideret; sed inêquabili, aspera et admodum sinuosa linea designatur, veluti apposita figura reprêsentat: complures enim veluti excrescentiê lucidê ultra lucis tenebrarumque confinia in partem obscuram extenduntur, et, contra, tenebricosê particulê intra lumen ingrediuntur. Quinimmo, et magna nigricantium macularum exiguarum copia, omnino a tenebrosa parte separatarum, totam fere plagam iam Solis lumine perfusam undiquaque conspergit, illa saltem excepta parte, quê magnis et antiquis maculis est affecta. Adnotavimus autem, modo dictas exiguas maculas in hoc semper et omnes, convenire, ut partem habeant nigricantem locum Solis respicientem; ex adverso autem Solis lucidioribus terminis, quasi candentibus iugis coronentur.

On the 4th or 5th day after the conjunction, when the Moon presents herself to us with splendid horns, already the terminator dividing the dark part from the luminous is not extended uniformly along an oval line, as would happen on a perfectly spherical solid; but it is delineated by an unequal, rough, and very sinuous line, as the appended figure represents: for several bright, as it were, excrescences extend beyond the confines of light and darkness into the dark part, and, conversely, tenebrous little particles enter into the light. Moreover, a great abundance of tiny blackish spots, entirely separated from the dark part, sprinkles almost the whole region already suffused with the Sun’s light on every side, except at least that part which is affected by the great and ancient spots. We have noted, moreover, that the aforesaid small spots agree in this always and all, that they have a blackish part facing toward the place of the Sun; but, on the side opposite the Sun, they are crowned with brighter termini, as if with glowing ridges.

At consimilem penitus aspectum habemus in Terra circa Solis exortum, dum valles nondum lumine perfusas, montes vero illas ex adverso Solis circundantes iam iam splendore fulgentes intuemur: ac veluti terrestrium cavitatum umbrê, Sole sublimiora petente, imminuuntur, ita et lunares istê maculê, crescente parte luminosa, tenebras amittunt.

But we have a thoroughly similar aspect on Earth around the Sun’s rising, while we behold valleys not yet suffused with light, but the mountains encircling them on the side opposite the Sun already now gleaming with splendor: and just as the shadows of terrestrial cavities, as the Sun seeks higher regions, are diminished, so too those lunar spots, as the luminous part increases, lose their darkness.

Verum, non modo tenebrarum et luminis confinia in Luna inêqualia ac sinuosa cernuntur; sed, quod maiorem infert admirationem, permultê apparent lucidê cuspides intra tenebrosam Lunê partem, omnino ab illuminata plaga divisê et avulsê, ab eaque non per exiguam intercapedinem dissitê; quê paulatim, aliqua interiecta mora, magnitudine et lumine augentur, post vero secundam horam aut tertiam reliquê parti lucidê et ampliori iam factê iunguntur; interim tamen aliê atque aliê, hinc inde quasi pullulantes, intra tenebrosam partem accenduntur, augentur, ac demum eidem luminosê superficiei, magis adhuc extensê, copulantur. Huius exemplum eadem figura nobis exhibet. At nonne in terris ante Solis exortum, umbra adhuc planities occupante, altissimorum cacumina montium solaribus radiis illustrantur?

But, not only are the confines of darkness and of light on the Moon seen to be unequal and sinuous; but, what brings greater admiration, very many bright cusps appear within the tenebrous part of the Moon, entirely separated and torn away from the illuminated tract, and at no small interval removed from it; which gradually, after some intervening delay, increase in magnitude and in light, but after the 2nd hour or the 3rd are joined to the remaining part, bright and now made larger; meanwhile, however, others and still others, as if sprouting here and there, are kindled within the tenebrous part, increase, and at last are coupled to the same luminous surface, extended yet more. An example of this the same figure exhibits to us. But is it not so on earth before sunrise, while the plain is still occupied by shadow, that the summits of the loftiest mountains are illuminated by the solar rays?

Nonne exiguo interiecto tempore ampliatur lumen, dum mediê et largiores eorundem montium partes illuminantur; ac tandem, orto iam Sole, planicierum et collium illuminationes iunguntur? Huiusmodi autem eminentiarum et cavitatum discrimina in Luna longe lateque terrestrem asperitatem superare videntur, ut infra demonstrabimus. Interim silentio minime involvam quid animadversione dignum a me observatum, dum Luna ad primam quadraturam properaret, cuius etiam imaginem eadem supra posita delineatio prê se fert: ingens enim sinus tenebrosus in partem luminosam subit, versus inferius cornu locatus; quem quidem sinum cum diutius observassem, totumque obscurum vidissem, tandem post duas fere horas, paulo infra medium cavitatis, vertex quidam luminosus exsurgere cœpit; hic vero paulatim crescens trigonam figuram prê se ferebat, eratque omnino adhuc a luminosa facie revulsus ac separatus; mox circa illum tres aliê cuspides exiguê lucere cœperunt; donec, Luna iam occasum versus tendente, trigona illa figura, extensa et amplior iam facta, cum reliqua luminosa parte nectebatur, ac instar ingentis promontorii, a tribus iam commemoratis lucidis verticibus adhuc obsessa, in tenebrosum sinum erumpebat.

Is not the light amplified after a small intervening time, while the middle and
broader parts of those same mountains are illuminated; and at length, the Sun now risen, are not the illuminations of the plains and
hills joined together? Moreover, discriminations of such eminences and cavities on the Moon seem far and wide to surpass terrestrial asperity, as we shall demonstrate below. Meanwhile I will by no means involve in silence what worthy of remark was observed by me, while the Moon was hastening to the first
quadrature, whose image also the same delineation set above carries before itself: for a huge dusky bay enters into the luminous part, situated toward the lower horn;
which bay, when I had observed it for a longer time and had seen it wholly dark, at length after almost two hours, a little below the middle of the cavity, a certain luminous summit began to rise;
this, however, growing little by little, displayed a triangular figure, and was still entirely torn from and separated from the luminous face; soon around it three other small cusps began to shine faintly;
until, with the Moon now tending toward setting, that triangular figure, extended and now made ampler, was being connected with the remaining luminous part, and, like a huge
promontory, still beset by the three already-mentioned shining summits, was bursting into the dusky bay.

In extremis quoque cornibus, tam superiori, quam inferiori, splendida quêdam puncta, et omnino a reliquo lumine disiuncta, emergebant, veluti in eadem figura depictum cernitur. Eratque magna obscurarum macularum vis in utroque cornu, maxime autem in inferiori: quarum maiores et obscuriores apparent, quê termino lucis et tenebrarum viciniores sunt; remotiores vero obscurê minus ac magis dilutê. Semper tamen, ut supra quoque meminimus, nigricans ipsius maculê pars irradiationis solaris locum respicit, splendidior vero limbus nigricantem maculam in parte Soli aversa, et Lunê tenebrosam plagam respiciente, circundat. Hêc lunaris superficies, qua maculis, instar pavonis caudê cêruleis oculis, distinguitur, vitreis illis vasculis redditur consimilis, quê adhuc calentia in frigidam immissa, perfractam undosamque superficiem acquirunt, ex quo a vulgo glaciales Gyathi nuncupantur.

At the extreme horns likewise, both the upper and the lower, certain splendid
points, and altogether disjoined from the remaining light, were emerging, just as is seen depicted in the same figure. And there was a great multitude of dark spots in each horn, most of all
in the lower: the larger and darker of which appear the nearer they are to the boundary of light and shadows; those more remote indeed less dark and more diluted. Always however, as we have also
mentioned above, the blackening part of the spot itself faces the place of the Sun’s irradiation, but a more splendid border surrounds the blackening spot on the side turned away from the Sun, and looking toward the Moon’s shadowy
region. This lunar surface, which is distinguished by spots like a peacock’s
tail with cerulean eyes, is rendered similar to those vitreous little vessels which, still hot, when plunged into the cold, acquire a shattered and wavy surface, whence by the common folk they are called icy Gyathi.

Verum magnê eiusdem Lunê maculê consimili modo interruptê atque lacunis et eminentiis confertê minime cernuntur, sed magis êquabiles et uniformes; solummodo enim clarioribus nonnullis areolis hac illac scatent; adeo ut, si quis veterem Pythagoreorum sententiam exsuscitare velit, Lunam scilicet esse quasi Tellurem alteram, eius pars lucidior terrenam superficiem, obscurior vero aqueam, magis congrue reprêsentet: mibi autem dubium fuit nunquam, terrestris globi a longe conspecti atque a radiis solaribus perfusi, terream superficiem clariorem, obscuriorem vero aqueam, sese in conspectum daturam. Depressiores insuper in Luna cernuntur magnê maculê, quam clariores plagê; in illa enim, tam crescente quam decrescente, semper in lucis tenebrarumque confinio prominent hinc inde circa ipsas magnas maculas contermini partis lucidioris, veluti in describendis figuris observavimus: neque depressiores tantummodo sunt dictarum macularum termini, sed êquabiliores, nec rugis aut asperitatibus interrupti. Lucidior vero pars maxime prope maculas eminet; adeo ut, et ante quadraturam primam, et in ipsa ferme secunda, circa maculam quandam, superiorem, borealem nempe, Lunê plagam occupantem, valde attollantur, tam supra illam quam infra, ingentes quêdam eminentiê, veluti appositê prê se ferunt delineationes.

But the great spots of that same Moon are by no means seen to be interrupted in like manner and crowded with hollows and eminences, but rather more equable and uniform; for they only teem here and there with some brighter little areas; so that, if anyone should wish to revive the ancient opinion of the Pythagoreans, namely that the Moon is as it were another Earth, its brighter part would more congruently represent the terrestrial surface, but the darker the aqueous. For me, however, it has never been doubtful that, the terrestrial globe, seen from afar and suffused by the solar rays, will present the earthly surface as brighter, but the watery as darker. Moreover, on the Moon the great spots are seen to be more depressed than the brighter regions; for in it, both waxing and waning, at the boundary of light and darkness there always project here and there, around the very great spots, the bordering parts of the brighter region, as we have observed in the figures to be described: nor are the edges of the said spots only more depressed, but more even, nor broken by wrinkles or roughnesses. The brighter part, however, stands out most near the spots; so that, both before the first quadrature, and almost at the second itself, around a certain spot—an upper one, boreal, namely, occupying a region of the Moon—there are very greatly raised, both above it and below, certain huge eminences, as the delineations, as it were appended, display.

Hêc eadem macula ante secundam quadraturam nigrioribus quibusdam terminis circumvallata conspicitur; qui, tanquam altissima montium iuga, ex parte Soli aversa obscuriores apparent, qua vero Solem respiciunt lucidiores extant: cuius oppositum in cavitatibus accidit; quarum pars Soli aversa splendens apparet, obscura vero ac umbrosa quê ex parte Solis sita est. Imminuta deinde luminosa superficie, cum primum tota ferme dicta macula tenebris est obducta, clariora montium dorsa eminenter tenebras scandunt. Hanc duplicem apparentiam sequentes figurê commonstrant. *

This same macula before the second quadrature is seen encircled by certain darker termini; which, like the loftiest mountain ridges, on the side turned away from the Sun appear darker, but on the side where they look toward the Sun they stand out more bright: the opposite of which happens in the cavities; of which the part turned away from the Sun appears shining, but the dark and shadowy part is that which is situated on the Sun’s side. Then, with the luminous surface diminished, when first the said macula is almost entirely overcast with shadows, the brighter mountain backs conspicuously climb the darkness. The following figures show this double appearance. *

Unum quoque oblivioni minime tradam, quod non nisi aliqua cum admiratione adnotavi: medium quasi Lunê locum a cavitate quadam occupatum esse reliquis omnibus maiori, ac figura perfectê rotunditatis; hanc prope quadraturas ambas conspexi, eandemque in secundis supra positis figuris quantum licuit imitatus sum: eundem, quo ad obumbrationem et illuminationem, facit aspectum, ac faceret in terris regio consimilis Bohemiê, si montibus altissimis, inque peripheriam perfecti circuli dispositis, occluderetur undique; in Luna enim adeo elatis iugis vallatur, ut extrema ora tenebrosê Lunê parti contermina, Solis lumine perfusa spectetur, priusquam lucis umbrêque terminus ad mediam ipsius figurê diametrum pertingat. De more autem reliquarum macularum, umbrosa illius pars Solem respicit, luminosa vero versus tenebras Lunê constituitur; quod tertio libenter observandum admoneo, tanquam firmissimum argumentum asperitatum inêqualitatumque per totam Lunê clariorem plagam dispersarum: quarum quidem macularum semper nigriores sunt illê, quê confinio luminis et tenebrarum conterminê sunt, remotiores vero tum minores, tum obscurê minus apparent; ita ut tandem, cum Luna in oppositione totum impleverit orbem, modico admodumque tenui discrimine cavitatum opacitas ab eminentiarum candore discrepet.

One thing also I will by no means consign to oblivion, which I noted not without some admiration: that the middle, as it were, place of the Moon is occupied by a certain cavity larger than all the rest, and of a perfectly round figure; this I beheld near both quadratures, and the same in the second figures set above I imitated as far as was permitted: it presents the same appearance, as to obumbration and illumination, as would on earth a region similar to Bohemia, if it were shut in on all sides by the loftiest mountains arranged along the periphery of a perfect circle; for on the Moon it is so walled by raised ridges, that its outer edges, contiguous to the shadowy part of the Moon, are seen suffused with the Sun’s light before the boundary of light and shade reaches to the middle diameter of its figure. Moreover, after the manner of the remaining spots, its shady part looks toward the Sun, but the luminous part is set toward the shadows of the Moon; which for the third time I gladly admonish to be observed, as the most solid argument of roughnesses and inequalities scattered through the whole brighter region of the Moon: of which spots, indeed, those are always darker which are contiguous to the boundary of light and darkness, whereas those more remote appear both smaller and less dark; so that at length, when the Moon in opposition has filled the whole orb, by a very slight and most thin distinction the opacity of the hollows differs from the brightness of the eminences.

Hêc, quê recensuimus, in clarioribus Lunê regionibus observantur; verum in magnis maculis talis non conspicitur lacunarum eminentiarumque differentia, qualem necessario constituere cogimur in parte lucidiori, ob mutationem figurarum ex alia atque alia illuminatione radiorum Solis, prout multiplici positu Lunam respicit: at in magnis maculis existunt quidem areolê nonnullê subobscuriores, veluti in figuris adnotavimus; attamen istê eundem semper faciunt aspectum, neque intenditur earum opacitas aut remittitur, sed exiguo admodum discrimine paululum obscuriores modo apparent, modo vero clariores, si magis aut minus obliqui in eas radii solares incidant: iunguntur prêterea cum proximis macularum partibus leni quadam copula, confinia miscentes ac confundentes: secus vero in maculis accidit splendidiorem Lunê superficiem occupantibus; quasi enim abruptê rupes asperis et angulatis scopulis consitê, umbrarum luminumque rudibus discriminibus ad lineam disterminantur. Spectantur insuper intra easdem magnas maculas areolê quêdam, aliê clariores, imo nonnullê lucidissimae: verum, et harum et obscuriorum, idem semper est aspectus, nulla aut figurarum aut lucis aut opacitatis mutatio; adeo ut compertum indubitatumque sit, apparere illas ob veram partium dissimilaritatem, non autem ob inêqualitates tantum in figuris earundem partium, umbras ex variis Solis illuminationibus diversimode moventibus: quod bene contingit de maculis aliis minoribus clariorem Lunê partem occupantibus; in dies enim permutantur, augentur, imminuuntur, abolentur, quippe quê ab umbris tantum eminentiarum ortum ducunt.

These things, which we have recounted, are observed in the clearer regions of the Moon; but in the great spots no such difference of hollows and eminences is seen as we are necessarily compelled to establish in the more lucid part, on account of the change of figures from one and another illumination of the Sun’s rays, according as, from multiple positions, it regards the Moon: yet in the great spots there do exist certain little areas somewhat more obscure, as we have noted in the figures; nevertheless these always make the same aspect, nor is their opacity intensified or relaxed, but with a very slight distinction they appear a little darker at one time, and at another truly brighter, if the solar rays fall upon them more or less obliquely: moreover, they are joined with the neighboring parts of the spots by a certain gentle coupling, mingling and confounding the confines: otherwise it occurs in the spots occupying the more splendid surface of the Moon; for as if abrupt crags planted with rough and angular rocks, they are bounded along a line by the rough separations of shadows and lights. Furthermore, within these same great spots certain little areas are seen, some brighter, nay some most bright: but both of these and of the darker ones, the aspect is always the same, with no change either of figures or of light or of opacity; so that it is ascertained and undoubted that they appear on account of a true dissimilarity of parts, and not, however, on account only of inequalities in the figures of those same parts, the shadows being moved in diverse ways by various illuminations of the Sun: which indeed happens in the case of other smaller spots occupying the clearer part of the Moon; for day by day they are changed, increased, diminished, abolished, since they draw their origin only from the shadows of eminences.

Verum magna hic dubitatione complures affici sentio, adeoque gravi difficultate occupari, ut iam explicatam et tot apparentiis confirmatam conclusionem in dubium revocare cogantur. Si enim pars illa lunaris superficiei, quê splendidius solares radios retorquet, anfractibus, tumoribus scilicet et lacunis innumeris, est repleta, cur in crescenti Luna extrema circumferentia, quê occasum versus spectat, in decrescenti vero altera semicircumferentia orientalis, ac in plenilunio tota peripheria, non inêquabilis, aspera et sinuosa, verum exacte rotunda et circinata nullisque tumoribus aut cavitatibus corrosa, conspicitur? atque ex eo maxime, quia totus integer limbus ex clariori Lunê substantia constat, quam tuberosam lacunosamque totam esse diximus; magnarum enim macularum nulla ad extremum usque perimetrum exporrigitur, sed omnes procul ab orbita aggregatê cernuntur.

But I perceive that many here are affected by great doubt, and are so occupied by a serious difficulty that they are compelled to call back into question a conclusion already explained and confirmed by so many appearances. For if that part of the lunar surface which more splendidly reflects the solar rays is replete with meanders—namely, swellings and hollows without number—why, in the waxing Moon, is the extreme circumference which looks toward the setting, in the waning the other, the eastern semicircumference, and at full moon the whole periphery, seen not uneven, rough, and sinuous, but exactly round and compass-drawn, and corroded by no swellings or cavities? and especially from this, that the whole unbroken rim consists of the brighter substance of the Moon, which we have said to be wholly tuberculate and lacunose; for none of the great spots is extended all the way to the outermost perimeter, but all are seen clustered far from the rim.

Huius apparentiê, ansam tam graviter dubitandi prêbentis, duplicem causam, ac proinde duplicem dubitationis solutionem, in medium affero. Primo enim, si tumores et cavitates in corpore lunari secundum unicam tantum circuli peripheriam, hemisphêrium nobis conspicuum terminantem, protenderentur, tunc posset quidem, imo deberet, Luna sub specie quasi dentatê rotê sese nobis ostendere, tuberoso, nempe, ac sinuoso ambitu terminata: at si non una tantum eminentiarum series, iuxta unicam solummodo circumferentiam dispositarum, sed permulti montium ordines cum suis lacunis et anfractibus circa extremum Lunê ambitum coordinati fuerint, iique non modo in hemisphêrio apparente, sed in averso etiam (prope tamen hemisphêriorum finitorem), tunc oculus a longe prospiciens eminentiarum cavitatumque discrimina deprêhendere minime poterit; intercapedines enim montium, in eodem circulo seu in eadem serie dispositorum, obiectu aliarum eminentiarum in aliis atque aliis ordinibus constitutarum occultantur; idque maxime, si oculus aspicientis in eadem recta cum dictarum eminentiarum verticibus fuerit locatus. Sic in terra multorum ac frequentium montium iuga secundum planam superficiem disposita apparent, si prospiciens procul fuerit et in pari altitudine constitutus.

Of this appearance, which affords so weighty an occasion for doubting, I bring forward a double cause, and hence a double solution of the doubt. For first, if the swellings and cavities in the lunar body were extended along only a single periphery of a circle, bounding the hemisphere visible to us, then indeed it could, nay it ought, to present itself to us under the aspect of a quasi-toothed wheel, terminated by a knobby and sinuous ambit: but if not a single series of eminences, disposed along one circumference only, but very many orders of mountains with their lacunae and anfractuosities were coordinated around the extreme circuit of the Moon, and these not only in the apparent hemisphere but also on the reverse side (yet near the boundary of the hemispheres), then the eye looking on from afar will by no means be able to apprehend the distinctions of the eminences and cavities; for the interspaces of mountains, disposed in the same circle or in the same series, are hidden by the interposition of other eminences set in other and yet other orders; and this especially if the onlooker’s eye be placed in the same straight line with the vertices of the said eminences. Thus on earth the ridges of many and frequent mountains appear as disposed along a level surface, if the beholder be at a distance and set at an equal altitude.

Sic êstuosi pelagi sublimes undarum vertices secundum idem planum videntur extensi, quamvis inter fluctus maxima voraginum et lacunarum sit frequentia, adeoque profundarum, ut sublimium navigiorum non modo carinê, verum etiam puppes, mali ac vela inter illas abscondantur. Quia igitur in ipsa Luna et circa eius perimetrum multiplex est eminentiarum et cavitatum coordinatio, et oculus e longinquo spectans in eodem fere plano cum verticibus illarum locatur; nemini mirum esse debet, quod radio visorio illos abradenti, secundum êquabilem lineam minimeque anfractuosam sese offerant. Huic rationi altera subnecti potest: quod nempe circa lunare corpus est, veluti circa Terram, orbis quidam densioris substantiê reliquo êthere, qui Solis irradiationem concipere atque reflectere valet, quamvis tanta non sit opacitate prêditus, ut visui (prêsertim dum illuminatus non fuerit) transitum inhibere valeat.

Thus the lofty crests of the waves of the scorching sea seem extended along the same plane, although among the billows there is a great frequency of whirlpools and hollows, and so deep that of lofty ships not only the keel, but even sterns, masts, and sails are hidden among them. Since therefore in the Moon itself and around its perimeter there is a manifold coordination of eminences and cavities, and the eye looking from afar is situated almost in the same plane with their summits; it ought to be a marvel to no one, that, to the visual ray grazing them, they present themselves along an even and by no means sinuous line. To this reasoning another can be subjoined: namely, that around the lunar body there is, as around the Earth, a certain orb of substance denser than the rest of the ether, which is able to conceive and reflect the irradiation of the Sun, although it is not endowed with such opacity as to be able to inhibit the passage to sight (especially when it has not been illuminated).

Orbis iste a radiis solaribus illuminatus lunare corpus sub maioris sphêrê speciem reddit reprêsentatque; essetque potis aciem nostram terminare, quominus ad Lunê soliditatem pertingeret, si crassities eius foret profundior: atque profundior quidem est circa Lunê peripheriam; profundior, inquam, non absolute, sed ad radios nostros, oblique illum secantes, relatus: ac proinde visum nostrum inhibere potest, ac prêsertim luminosus existens, Lunêque peripheriam Soli expositam obtegere. Quod clarius in apposita figura intelligitur,

This orb, illuminated by the solar rays, renders and represents the lunar body under the appearance of a greater sphere; and it would be able to terminate our sight, so that it should not reach to the solidity of the Moon, if its thickness were deeper: and indeed it is deeper around the Moon’s periphery; deeper, I say, not absolutely, but relative to our rays, which cut it obliquely: and therefore it can inhibit our vision, and especially, being luminous, cover the Moon’s periphery exposed to the Sun. Which is understood more clearly in the apposite figure,

in qua lunare corpus ABC ab orbe vaporoso circundatur DEG; oculus vero ex F ad partes intermedias Lunê, ut ad A, pertingit per vapores DA minus profundos: at versus extremam oram, profundiorum copia vaporum EB aspectum nostrum suo termino prêcludit. Signum huius est, quod pars Lunê lumine perfusa amplioris circumferentiê apparet, quam reliquum orbis tenebrosi: atque hanc eandem causam quispiam forte rationabilem existimabit, cur maiores Lunê maculê nulla ex parte ad extremum usque ambitum protendi conspiciantur, cum tamen opinabile sit nonnullas etiam circa illum reperiri; inconspicuas tamen esse credibile videtur ex eo, quod sub profundiori ac lucidiori vaporum copia abscondantur.

in which the lunar body ABC is surrounded by the vaporous orb DEG; but the eye from F to the intermediate parts of the Moon, as to A, reaches through the less deep vapors DA: but toward the extreme rim, a supply of deeper vapors EB precludes our view at its terminus. A sign of this is that the part of the Moon suffused with light appears of a greater circumference than the remainder of the tenebrous orb; and someone perhaps will judge this same cause reasonable, why the larger maculae of the Moon are seen in no part to be extended all the way to the extreme periphery, although it is plausible to suppose that some are found even around it; yet it seems credible that they are inconspicuous from this, that they are hidden beneath a deeper and more luminous abundance of vapors.

Esse igitur clariorem Lunê superficiem tumoribus atque lacunis undiquaque conspersam, ex iam explicatis apparitionibus satis apertum esse reor. Superest ut de illorum magnitudinibus dicamus, demonstrantes terrestres asperitates lunaribus esse longe minores; minores, inquam, etiam absolute loquendo, non autem in ratione tantum ad suorum globorum magnitudines: idque sic manifeste declaratur.

Therefore I reckon it quite evident, from the appearances already explained, that the brighter surface of the Moon is everywhere sprinkled with swellings and lacunae, and it remains that we speak of their magnitudes, demonstrating that terrestrial asperities are far smaller than the lunar; smaller, I say, even speaking absolutely, not however only in the ratio to the magnitudes of their globes: and this is thus manifestly declared.

Cum sêpius a me observatum sit in aliis atque aliis Lunê ad Solem constitutionibus, vertices nonnullos intra tenebrosam Lunê partem, licet a termino lucis satis remotos, lumine perfusos apparere, conferens eorum distantiam ad integram Lunê diametrum, cognovi, interstitium hoc vigesimam interdum diametri partem superare.

Since it has very often been observed by me in various configurations of the Moon relative to the Sun, that certain vertices within the shadowy part of the Moon, although sufficiently far from the boundary of light, appear suffused with light; comparing their distance to the entire diameter of the Moon, I have come to know that this interval sometimes exceeds a twentieth part of the diameter.

Quo sumpto, intelligatur lunaris globus, cuius maximus circulus CAF, centrum vero E, dimetiens CF, qui ad Terrê diametrum est ut duo ad septem; cumque terrestris diameter, secundum exactiores observationes, milliaria Italica 7000 contineat, erit CF 2000, CE vero 1000; pars autem vigesima totius CF, milliaria 100. Sit modo CF dimetiens circuli maximi, luminosam Lunê partem ab obscura dividentis (ob maximam enim elongationem Solis a Luna hic circulus a maximo sensibiliter non differt), ac secundum vigesimam illius partem distet A a puncto C, et protrahatur semidiameter EA, qui extensus occurrat cum contingente GCD (quê radium illuminantem reprêsentat) in puncto D. Erit igitur arcus CA, seu recta CD, 100 qualium CE est 1000, et aggregatum quadratorum DC, CE 1.010.000, cui quadratum DE êquale est: tota igitur ED erit plusquam 1004, et AD plusquam 4 qualium CE fuit 1000. Sublimitas igitur AD in Luna, quê verticem quempiam ad usque Solis radium GCD elatum, et a termino C per distantiam CD remotum, designat, eminentior est milliaribus Italicis 4. Verum in Tellure nulli extant montes, qui vix ad unius milliarii altitudinem perpendicularem accedant; manifestum igitur relinquitur, lunares eminentias terrestribus esse sublimiores.

Which being assumed, let the lunar globe be understood, whose greatest circle is C A F, but the center E, the diameter C F, which is to the Earth’s diameter as two to seven; and since the Earth’s diameter, according to more exact observations, contains 7000 Italian miles, C F will be 2000, but C E 1000; moreover the twentieth part of the whole C F, 100 miles. Let C F now be the diameter of the greatest circle dividing the luminous part of the Moon from the obscure (for on account of the greatest elongation of the Sun from the Moon this circle does not sensibly differ from the greatest), and let A be distant from the point C by the twentieth part of that, and let the semidiameter E A be drawn, which extended meets the tangent G C D (which represents the illuminating ray) at the point D. Therefore the arc C A, or the straight line C D, will be 100 of which C E is 1000, and the aggregate of the squares of D C and C E [is] 1,010,000, to which the square of D E is equal: the whole E D therefore will be more than 1004, and A D more than 4, of which C E was 1000. The sublimity therefore A D on the Moon, which designates some vertex raised up to the Sun’s ray G C D and removed from the terminator C by the distance C D, is greater by 4 Italian miles. But on the Earth there exist no mountains which scarcely approach to a perpendicular altitude of a single mile; it is therefore left manifest that lunar eminences are loftier than terrestrial ones.

Lubet hoc loco alterius cuiusdam lunaris apparitionis, admiratione dignê, causam assignare; quê licet a nobis non recens, sed multis abhinc annis, observata sit, nonnullisque familiaribus amicis et discipulis ostensa, explicata atque per causam declarata, quia tamen eius observatio Perspicilli ope facilior redditur atque evidentior, non incongrue hoc in loco reponendam esse duxi; idque etiam tum maxime, ut cognatio atque similitudo inter Lunam atque Tellurem clarius appareat.

It pleases me in this place to assign the cause of a certain other lunar apparition, worthy of admiration; which, although it was observed by us not recently, but many years ago, and was shown to some familiar friends and pupils, explained and declared through its cause, yet because its observation, by the aid of the Telescope, is rendered easier and more evident, I have judged it not inappropriately to be set down here; and this then especially, so that the kinship and similarity between the Moon and the Earth may appear more clearly.

Dum Luna, tum ante tum etiam post coniunctionem, non procul a Sole reperitur, non modo ipsius globus, ex parte qua lucentibus cornibus exornatur, visui nostro spectandum sese offert; verum etiam tenuis quêdam sublucens peripheria tenebrosê partis, Soli nempe aversê, orbitam delineare, atque ab ipsius êtheris obscuriori campo seiungere, videtur. Verum, si exactiori inspectione rem consideremus, videbimus, non tantum extremum tenebrosê partis limbum incerta quadam claritate lucentem, sed integram Lunê faciem, illam nempe quê Solis fulgorem nondum sentit, lumine quodam, nec exiguo, albicare: apparet tamen primo intuitu subtilis tantummodo circumferentia lucens propter obscuriores Cêli partes sibi conterminas; reliqua vero superficies obscurior e contra videtur ob fulgentium cornuum, aciem nostram obtenebrantium, contactum. Verum si quis talem sibi eligat situm, ut a tecto vel camino aut aliquo alio obice inter visum et Lunam (sed procul ab oculo posito) cornua ipsa lucentia occultentur, pars vero reliqua lunaris globi aspectui nostro exposita relinquatur; tunc luce non exigua hanc quoque Lunê plagam, licet solari lumine destitutam, splendere deprêhendet, idque potissimum, si iam nocturnus horror ob Solis absentiam increverit; in campo enim obscuriori eadem lux clarior apparet.

While the Moon, both before and also after conjunction, is found not far from the Sun, not only does its globe, on the part where it is adorned with shining horns, present itself to our sight to be gazed upon; but also a certain thin, sub-lucent periphery of the shadowy part, namely turned away from the Sun, seems to delineate its orbit and to separate itself from the darker field of the ether. But, if with a more exact inspection we consider the matter, we shall see not only the extreme rim of the shadowy part shining with a kind of uncertain brightness, but the entire face of the Moon—namely that which does not yet feel the Sun’s effulgence—whitening with a certain light, and not a small one: yet at first glance only a subtle circumference appears to shine on account of the darker parts of the Heaven contiguous to it; but the remaining surface on the contrary seems darker because of the contact of the gleaming horns, which darken our line of sight. But if someone should choose for himself such a position, that by a roof or chimney or some other obstacle between the sight and the Moon (but placed far from the eye) the shining horns themselves are hidden, while the remaining part of the lunar globe is left exposed to our view; then he will perceive that this region of the Moon also, although destitute of solar light, shines with no meager light; and that especially if already the nocturnal horror has increased because of the absence of the Sun; for in a darker field the same light appears clearer.

Compertum insuper est, hanc secundam (ut ita dicam) Lunê claritatem maiorem esse, quo ipsa minus a Sole distiterit: per elongationem enim ab eo remittitur magis magisque, adeo ut post primam quadraturam, et ante secundam, debilis et admodum incerta comperiatur, licet in obscuriori Cêlo spectetur; cum tamen in sextili et minori elongatione, quamvis inter crepuscula, mirum in modum fulgeat; fulgeat, inquam, adeo, ut ope exacti Perspicilli magnê maculê in ipsa distinguantur. Hic mirabilis fulgor non modicam philosophantibus intulit admirationem; pro cuius causa afferenda alii alia in medium protulerunt. Quidam enim proprium esse ac naturalem ipsiusmet Lunê splendorem dixerunt; alii, a Venere illi esse impertitum; alii, a stellis omnibus; alii, a Sole, qui radiis suis profundam Lunê soliditatem permeet.

It has moreover been ascertained that this secondary (so to speak) brightness of the Moon is greater the less it is distant from the Sun: for with elongation from him it is diminished more and more, to such a degree that after the first quadrature, and before the second, it is found weak and very uncertain, although it be observed in a darker sky; whereas, however, in the sextile and in a smaller elongation, even in the midst of the twilights, it shines in a wondrous manner; it shines, I say, so much that by the aid of an exact spyglass large spots on it are distinguished. This marvelous gleam has brought no small admiration to philosophers; for the sake of supplying its cause different men have put forward different things into the open. Some have said it is the Moon’s own and natural splendor; others, that it is imparted to it by Venus; others, by all the stars; others, by the Sun, who with his rays permeates the deep solidity of the Moon.

Verum huiuscemodi prolata exiguo labore coarguuntur, ac falsitatis evincuntur. Si enim aut proprium esset aut a Stellis collatum eiusmodi lumen, illud maxime in Eclipsibus retineret ostenderetque, cum in obscurissimo Cêlo destituatur; quod tamen adversatur experientiê: fulgor enim, qui in deliquiis apparet in Luna, longe minor est, subrufus ac quasi êneus; hic vero clarior et candidior. Est insuper ille mutabilis ac loco mobilis; vagatur enim per Lunê faciem, adeo ut pars illa, quê peripheriê circuli umbrê terrestris propinquior est, clarior, reliqua vero obscurior, semper spectetur: ex quo omni procul dubio id accidere intelligimus, ex radiorum Solarium vicinitate tangentium crassiorem quandam regionem, quê Lunam orbiculariter ambit; ex quo contactu Aurora quêdam in vicinas Lunê plagas effunditur, non secus ac in terris, tum mane, tum vesperi, crepusculinum spargitur lumen: qua de re fusius in libro De systemate mundi pertractabimus.

But assertions of this kind are with little labor refuted and proved to be false. For if such a light were either proper to the Moon or conferred by the Stars, it would especially retain and display it in Eclipses, when it is left in the most shadowy Heaven; which, however, is contrary to experience: for the glow that appears in the Moon during eclipses is far smaller, somewhat reddish and as it were brazen; whereas this is brighter and whiter. Moreover, that one is changeable and mobile in place; for it wanders over the Moon’s face, so that the part which is nearer to the periphery of the circle of the Earth’s shadow is always seen brighter, while the rest is darker: whence we understand beyond all doubt that this happens from the proximity of the Solar rays tangential to a certain thicker region which encircles the Moon orbicularly; from which contact a certain dawn is poured out upon the neighboring tracts of the Moon, not otherwise than on earth, both in the morning and in the evening, a crepuscular light is scattered: a matter which we shall treat more fully in the book On the System of the World.

Asserere autem a Venere impertitam eiusmodi lucem, puerile adeo est, ut responsione sit indignum. Quis enim adeo inscius erit, ut non intelligat, circa coniunctionem et intra sextilem aspectum partem Lunê Soli aversam, ut a Venere spectetur, omnino esse impossibile? Esse autem ex Sole, qui suo lumine profundam Lunê soliditatem penetret atque perfundat, pariter est inopinabile: numquam enim imminueretur, cum semper hemisphêrium Lunê a Sole sit illustratum, tempore lunarium Eclipsium excepto; diminuitur tamen dum Luna ad quadraturam properat, et omnino etiam hebetatur, dum quadraturam superaverit.

To assert, however, that such light is imparted by Venus is so childish as to be unworthy of a response. For who will be so unknowing as not to understand that, around conjunction and within a sextile aspect, the part of the Moon turned away from the Sun, such as would be viewed from Venus, is altogether impossible? That it is from the Sun, moreover, who with his own light would penetrate and suffuse the Moon’s deep solidity, is equally unlikely: for it would never be diminished, since a hemisphere of the Moon is always illuminated by the Sun, the time of lunar eclipses excepted; yet it is diminished while the Moon hastens to quadrature, and it is even altogether dulled once it has passed quadrature.

Cum itaque eiusmodi secundarius fulgor nec Lunê sit congenitus atque proprius, nec a Stellis ullis nec a Sole mutuatus, cumque iam in Mundi vastitate corpus aliud supersit nullum, nisi sola Tellus, quid, quêso, opinandum? quid proferendum? nunquid a Terra ipsum lunare corpus, aut quidpiam aliud opacum atque tenebrosum lumine perfundi?

Since, therefore, such a secondary luster is neither inborn and proper to the Moon, nor borrowed from any Stars nor from the Sun, and since now in the vastness of the World no other body at all remains, save Earth alone, what, I pray, is to be thought? what is to be put forth? is it by any chance from the Earth that the lunar body itself, or something else opaque and tenebrous, is suffused with light?

quid mirum? maxime: êqua grataque permutatione rependit Tellus parem illuminationem ipsi Lunê, qualem et ipsa a Luna in profundioribus noctis tenebris toto fere tempore recipit. Rem clarius aperiamus.

What wonder? Very much so: by an equal and welcome exchange the Earth repays to the Moon herself a like illumination, such as she herself receives from the Moon in the deeper darknesses of night for almost the whole time. Let us make the matter clearer.

Luna in coniunctionibus, cum medium inter Solem et Terram obtinet locum, solaribus radiis in superiori suo hemisphêrio Terrê averso perfunditur; hemisphêrium vero inferius, quo Terram aspicit, tenebris est obductum; nullatenus igitur terrestrem superficiem illustrat. Luna, paulatim a Sole digressa, iam iam aliqua ex parte in hemisphêrio inferiori ad nos vergente illuminatur, albicantia cornua, subtilia tamen, ad nos convertit, et leviter Terram illustrat: crescit in Luna, iam ad quadraturam accedente, Solaris illuminatio, augetur in terris eius luminis reflexio, extenditur adhuc supra semicirculum splendor in Luna, et nostrê clariores effulgent noctes: tandem integer Lunê vultus, quo terram aspicit, ab opposito Sole clarissimis fulgoribus irradiatur, enitet longe lateque terrestris superficies lunari splendore perfusa: postmodum decrescens Luna debiliores ad nos radios emittit, debilius illuminatur Terra: Luna ad coniunctionem properat, atra nox Terram occupat. Tali itaque periodo alternis vicibus lunaris fulgor menstruas illuminationes, clariores modo, debiliores alias, nobis largitur: verum êqua lance beneficium a Tellure compensatur.

The Moon in conjunctions, when it holds the middle place between
the Sun and the Earth, is suffused by solar rays on its upper hemisphere turned away from the Earth;
but the lower hemisphere, with which it looks toward the Earth, is covered with darkness;
therefore in no way does it illuminate the terrestrial surface. The Moon, gradually withdrawn from the Sun,
is already in some part illuminated on the lower hemisphere inclining toward us,
it turns toward us whitish horns, yet slender, and lightly illuminates the Earth: the Solar illumination
increases in the Moon, now approaching quadrature, the reflexion of its light on the lands is augmented,
the splendor on the Moon is extended even beyond the semicircle, and for us clearer nights effulge:
at length the whole face of the Moon, with which it looks upon the earth, is irradiated by the opposite Sun with most
brilliant gleamings, far and wide the terrestrial surface glistens, suffused with lunar splendor: afterwards the waning
Moon sends weaker rays to us, the Earth is more feebly illuminated: the Moon hastens to conjunction, black night seizes the Earth.
In such a period, therefore, by alternate turns the lunar brilliance bestows upon us monthly illuminations, now brighter,
at other times weaker: but with equal scale the benefit is compensated by the Earth.

Dum enim Luna sub Sole circa coniunctiones reperitur, superficiem terrestris hemisphêrii Soli expositi vividisque radiis illustrati integram respicit, reflexumque ab ipsa lumen concipit: ac proinde ex tali reflexione inferius hemisphêrium Lunê, licet solari lumine destitutum, non modice lucens apparet. Eadem Luna, per quadrantem a Sole remota, dimidium tantum terrestris hemisphêrii illuminatum conspicit, scilicet occiduum; altera enim medietas orientalis nocte obtenebratur: ergo, et ipsa Luna splendide minus a Terra illustratur, eiusve proinde lux illa secundaria exilior nobis apparet. Quod si Lunam in oppositione ad Solem constituas, spectabit ipsa hemisphêrium intermediê Telluris omnino tenebrosum obscuraque nocte perfusum: si igitur ecliptica fuerit talis oppositio, nullam prorsus illuminationem recipiet Luna, solari simul ac terrestri irradiatione destituta.

While
in fact the Moon is found under the Sun around the conjunctions, it looks upon the entire surface of the terrestrial hemisphere exposed to the Sun and illuminated by vivid rays, and it receives light reflected from it; and accordingly, from such a reflection the lower hemisphere of the Moon, though deprived of solar light, appears not a little shining. The same Moon, removed from the Sun by a quadrant, beholds only half of the terrestrial hemisphere illuminated, namely the western; for the other eastern half is shrouded by night: therefore the Moon herself is less splendidly illuminated by the Earth, and accordingly that secondary light of hers appears slighter to us. But if you set the Moon in opposition to the Sun, she will behold the hemisphere of the intervening Earth entirely dark and drenched in obscure night: if therefore such an opposition be ecliptic, the Moon will receive no illumination at all, being deprived at once of solar and terrestrial irradiation.

In aliis atque aliis ad Terram et ad Solem habitudinibus, maius minusve a terrestri reflexione recipit lumen, prout maiorem aut minorem terrestris hemisphêrii illuminati partem spectaverit: is enim inter duos hosce globos servatur tenor, ut quibus temporibus maxime a Luna illustratur Tellus, iisdem minus vice versa a Terra illuminetur Luna, et e contra. Atque hêc pauca de hac re in prêsenti loco dicta sufficiant, fusius enim in nostro Systemate Mundi; ubi, complurimis et rationibus et experimentis, validissima solaris luminis e Terra reflexio ostenditur illis, qui eam a Stellarum corea arcendam esse iactitant, ex eo potissimum quod a motu et a lumine sit vacua; vagam enim illam ac Lunam splendore superantem, non autem sordium mundanarumque fecum sentinam, esse demonstrationibus et naturalibus quoque rationibus sexcentis confirmabimus.

In other and yet other habitudes toward the Earth and toward the Sun, it receives greater or lesser light from the terrestrial reflection, according as it has beheld a greater or lesser part of the illuminated terrestrial hemisphere: for this tenor is maintained between these two globes, that at those times when the Earth is most illustrated by the Moon, in those same times the Moon is, conversely, illuminated less by the Earth, and on the contrary. And let these few things about this matter said in the present place suffice, for more fully in our System of the World; where, by very many reasons and experiments, the most robust reflection of solar light from the Earth is shown to those who vaunt that it ought to be warded from the chorus of the stars, chiefly on the ground that it is void of motion and of light; for we shall confirm by demonstrations and also by six hundred natural reasons that it is wandering and surpassing the Moon in splendor, and not a sink of filth and of worldly dregs.

Diximus hucusque de observationibus circa lunare corpus habitis; nunc de Stellis fixis ea, quê hactenus a nobis inspecta fuerunt, breviter in medium adferamus. Ac primo illud animadversione dignum est, quod scilicet Stellê, tam fixê, quam errabundê, dum adhibito Perspicillo spectantur, nequaquam magnitudine augeri videntur iuxta proportionem eandem, secundum quam obiecta reliqua, et ipsamet quoque Luna, acquirunt incrementa: verum in Stellis talis auctio longe minor apparet; adeo ut Perspicillum, quod reliqua obiecta secundum centuplam, gratia exempli, rationem multiplicare potens erit, vix secundum quadruplam aut quintuplam Stellas multiplices reddere credas. Ratio autem huius est, quod scilicet Astra, dum libera ac naturali oculorum acie spectantur, non secundum suam simplicem nudamque, ut ita dicam, magnitudinem sese nobis offerunt, sed fulgoribus quibusdam irradiata, micantibusque radiis crinita, idque potissimum cum iam increverit nox; ex quo longe maiores videntur, quam si ascititiis illis crinibus essent exuta: angulus enim visorius, non a primario Stellê corpusculo, sed a late circumfuso splendore, terminatur.

We have said thus far about the observations held concerning the lunar body; now concerning the fixed Stars let us briefly bring forward those things which up to now have been inspected by us. And first this is worthy of notice, namely that the Stars, both fixed and wandering (planets), while they are looked at with a Telescope applied, are by no means seen to be increased in magnitude according to the same proportion according to which the other objects, and the Moon herself as well, acquire increments: rather in the Stars such an augmentation appears far less; so that you would scarcely believe that a Telescope which will be able to multiply the remaining objects according to a hundredfold ratio, for example, makes the Stars multiple according to scarcely a fourfold or fivefold. But the reason for this is that the Stars, when they are looked at by the free and natural sight of the eyes, do not present themselves to us according to their, so to speak, simple and naked magnitude, but irradiated with certain gleams and fringed with twinkling rays, and that especially when night has now increased; whence they seem far larger than if they were stripped of those adscititious tresses: for the visual angle is bounded not by the primary little body of the Star, but by the brilliance widely diffused around.

Hoc apertissime intelligas licet ex eo, quod Stellê in Solis occasu inter prima crepuscula emergentes, tametsi primê fuerint magnitudinis, exiguê admodum apparent; et Venus ipsa, si quando circa meridiem se nobis in conspectum dederit, adeo exilis cernitur, ut vix Stellulam magnitudinis ultimê êquare videatur. Secus in aliis obiectis, et in ipsamet Luna, contingit; quê, sive in meridiana luce sive inter profundiores tenebras spectetur, eiusdem semper molis apparet. Intonsa igitur in mediis tenebris spectantur Astra, crines tamen illorum diurna lux abradere potest; at non lux ista tantum, sed tenuis quoque nubecula, quê inter Sidus et oculum aspicientis interponatur: idem quoque prêstant nigra velamina ac vitra colorata, quorum obiectu atque interpositione circumfusi fulgores Stellas deserunt.

This you may most clearly understand from the fact that stars, emerging at the Sun’s setting amid the first twilight, although they may be of the first magnitude, appear very small; and Venus herself, if ever she has given herself to our sight about the meridian, is seen so slender that she seems scarcely to equal a little star of the last magnitude. Otherwise it happens in other objects, and in the Moon herself; which, whether it be beheld in meridional light or amid deeper darkness, always appears of the same bulk. Unshorn therefore are the stars beheld in the midst of darkness; yet the diurnal light can abrade their hairs; and not that light only, but a thin little cloud too, if it be interposed between the star and the eye of the beholder: the same is also effected by black veils and colored glass, by the objecting and interposition of which the circumfused splendors desert the stars.

Hoc idem pariter efficit Perspicillum: prius enim adscititios accidentalesque a Stellis fulgores adimit, illarum inde globulos simplices (si tamen figura fuerint globosa) auget; atque adeo secundum minorem multiplicitatem adaucta videntur. Stellula enim quintê aut sextê magnitudinis, per Perspicillum visa, tamquam magnitudinis primê reprêsentatur.

This same thing likewise is effected by the Telescope: for first it removes from the stars the adscititious and accidental gleams, then it enlarges their simple little globules (if, however, their figure be globular); and thus, according to a lesser multiplicity, they seem increased. For a little star of the fifth or sixth magnitude, seen through the Telescope, is represented as of the first magnitude.

Adnotatione quoque dignum videtur esse discrimen inter Planetarum atque fixarum Stellarum aspectus. Planetê enim globulos suos exacte rotundos ac circinatos obiiciunt, ac, veluti Lunulê quêdam undique lumine perfusê, orbiculares apparent: fixê vero Stellê peripheria circulari nequaquam terminatê conspiciuntur, sed veluti fulgores quidam radios circumcirca vibrantes atque admodum scintillantes; consimili tandem figura prêditê apparent cum Perspicillo, ac dum naturali intuitu, spectantur, sed adeo maiores ut Stellula quintê aut sextê magnitudinis Canem, maximam nempe fixarum omnium, êquare videatur. Verum, infra Stellas magnitudinis sextê, adeo numerosum gregem aliarum, naturalem intuitum fugientium, per Perspicillum intueberis, ut vix credibile sit: plures enim, quam sex aliê magnitudinum differentiê, videas licet; quarum maiores, quas magnitudinis septimê, seu primê invisibilium, appellare possumus, Perspicilli beneficio maiores et clariores apparent, quam magnitudinis secundê Sidera, acie naturali visa.

It seems worthy of annotation also to be the discrimination between the aspects of the Planets and of the fixed Stars. For the Planets present their little globes exactly round and circinate, and, as if certain little Moons suffused with light on every side, they appear orbicular: but the fixed Stars are by no means seen as bounded by a circular periphery, but as certain gleams vibrating rays all around and very much scintillating; they finally appear endowed with a similar figure both with the Telescope and when they are beheld by the natural gaze, but so much larger that a little star of the fifth or sixth magnitude seems to equal the Dog-star, namely the greatest of all the fixed ones. But, below the Stars of the sixth magnitude, you will behold through the Telescope a herd so numerous of others, escaping the natural gaze, that it is scarcely credible: for you may see more than six other differences of magnitudes; of which the greater, which we can call of the seventh magnitude, or the first of the invisible ones, by the benefit of the Telescope appear larger and clearer than the Stars of the second magnitude seen by the natural sight.

Ut autem de inopinabili fere illarum frequentia unam alteramve attestationem videas, Asterismos duos subscribere placuit, ut ab eorum exemplo de cêteris iudicium feras. In primo integram Orionis Constellationem

As however, that you may see one or another attestation of their almost inopinable frequency, it has pleased me to subscribe (append) two Asterisms, so that from their example you may bear judgment concerning the rest. In the first, the entire Constellation of Orion

pingere decreveram; verum ab ingenti Stellarum copia, temporis vero inopia, obrutus, aggressionem hanc in aliam occasionem distuli; adstant enim, et circa veteres, intra unius aut alterius gradus limites, disseminantur, plures quingentis: quapropter tribus quê in Cingulo, et senis quê in Ense iampridem adnotatê fuerunt, alias adiacentes octuaginta recens visas apposuimus; earumque interstitia, quo exactius licuit, servavimus: notas, seu veteres, distinctionis gratia, maiores pinximus, ac duplici linea contornavimus; alias inconspicuas, minores, ac unis lineis notavimus; magnitudinum quoque discrimina, quo magis licuit, servavimus.

I had decided to depict; but overwhelmed by the huge multitude of Stars, and indeed by a lack of time, I deferred this undertaking to another occasion; for they stand by, and around the old ones, within the limits of one or two degrees, they are disseminated, more than 500: wherefore, to the three in the Belt, and the six in the Sword which had long ago been noted, we have appended eighty others adjacent, recently seen; and their interstices, as exactly as it was permitted, we have preserved: the known, or the old, for the sake of distinction, we painted larger and outlined with a double line; the others, inconspicuous, smaller, and we marked with single lines; the discriminations of magnitudes also, as far as it was permitted, we preserved.

In altero exemplo sex Stellas Tauri, PLEIADAS

In the other example, the six Stars of Taurus, PLEIADES

dictas, depinximus (dico autem sex, quandoquidem septima fere nunquam apparet) intra angustissimos in Cêlo cancellos obclusas, quibus aliê, plures quam quadraginta, invisibiles adiacent; quarum nulla ab aliqua ex prêdictis sex vix ultra semigradum elongatur: harum nos tantum triginta sex adnotavimus; earumque interstitia, magnitudines, necnon veterum novarumque discrimina, veluti in Orione, servavimus.

so called, we have depicted (I say six, since the seventh almost never appears) enclosed within the most narrow lattices in the Sky, to which others, more than forty, invisible, lie adjacent; of which none is distanced from any one of the aforesaid six by hardly more than a half-degree: of these we have noted only thirty-six; and their interstices, magnitudes, as well as the discriminations of the older and the newer, just as in Orion, we have preserved.

Quod tertio loco a nobis fuit observatum, est ipsiusmet LACTEI Circuli essentia, seu materies, quam Perspicilli beneficio adeo ad sensum licet intueri, ut et altercationes omnes, quê per tot sêcula philosophos excruciarunt, ab oculata certitudine dirimantur, nosque a verbosis disputationibus liberemur. Est enim GALAXIA nihil aliud, quam innumerarum Stellarum coacervatim consitarum congeries: in quamcumque enim regionem illius Perspicillum dirigas, statim Stellarum ingens frequentia sese in conspectum profert, quarum complures satis magnê ac valde conspicuê videntur; sed exiguarum multitudo prorsus inexplorabilis est.

What was observed by us in the third place is the very essence, or matter, of the MILKY Circle itself, which by the benefit of the telescope it is permitted to gaze upon to such a degree with the senses that all the altercations which for so many ages have excruciated philosophers are decided by ocular certainty, and we are freed from verbose disputations. For the GALAXY is nothing else than a heap, an aggregate, of innumerable stars sown together in masses: for into whatever region of it you direct the telescope, at once an immense frequency of stars presents itself to view, many of which are seen quite large and very conspicuously; but the multitude of the tiny ones is utterly inexplorable.

At cum non tantum in GALAXIA lacteus ille candor, veluti albicantis nubis, spectetur, sed complures consimilis coloris areolê sparsim per êthera subfulgeant, si in illarum quamlibet Specillum convertas, Stellarum constipatarum cœtum offendes. Amplius (quod magis miraberis), Stellê ab Astronomis singulis in hanc usque diem NEBULOS appellatê, Stellularum mirum in modum consitarum greges sunt; ex quarum radiorum commixtione, dum unaquêque ob exilitatem, seu maximam a nobis remotionem, oculorum aciem fugit, candor ille consurgit, qui densior pars Cêli, Stellarum aut Solis radios retorquere valens, hucusque creditus est. Nos ex illis nonnullas observavimus, et duarum Asterismos subnectere voluimus.

But since not only in the GALAXIA is that milky candor, as it were of a whitish cloud, beheld, but several little plots of similar color glimmer here and there through the ether, if you turn the Spyglass toward any of them, you will encounter a concourse of crowded Stars. Moreover (which you will marvel at more), the Stars by Astronomers, one and all even to this day, called NEBULOUS, are flocks of small stars sown in a wondrous manner; from the commixture of whose rays, while each one, by reason of exility, or of a very great remotion from us, escapes the eyes’ acumen, that candor arises, which has hitherto been believed to be the denser part of the Heaven, capable of retorting the rays of the Stars or of the Sun. We have observed not a few of these, and have wished to subjoin the asterisms of two.

In primo habes NEBULOSAM, Capitis Orionis

In the first you have the NEBULA, of the Head of Orion

appellatam, in qua Stellas vigintiunas numeravimus.

appellated, in which we have enumerated twenty-one Stars.

Secundus NEBULOSAM PRSEPE

Second, the NEBULA PRAESEPE

nuncupatam continet; quê non una tantum Stella est, sed congeries Stellularum plurium quam quadraginta: nos, prêter Asellos, trigintasex notavimus, in hunc, qui sequitur, ordinem dispositas.

contains the so‑called; which is not a single Star only, but a congeries of Stars more than forty: we, besides the Aselli, have noted thirty‑six, arranged in this order which follows.

De Luna, de inerrantibus Stellis ac de Galaxia, quê hactenus observata sunt, breviter enarravimus. Superest ut, quod maximum in prêsenti negotio existimandum videtur, quatuor PLANETAS a primo mundi exordio ad nostra usque tempora nunquam conspectos, occasionem reperiendi atque observandi, necnon ipsorum loca, atque per duos proxime menses observationes circa eorundem lationes ac mutationes habitas, aperiamus ac promulgemus; Astronomos omnes convocantes, ut ad illorum periodos inquirendas atque definiendas se conferant, quod nobis in hanc usque diem, ob temporis angustiam, assequi minime licuit. Illos tamen iterum monitos facimus, ne ad talem inspectionem incassum accedant, Perspicillo exactissimo opus esse, et quale in principio sermonis huius descripsimus.

About the Moon, about the inerrant Stars and about the Galaxy, which have thus far been observed, we have briefly narrated. It remains that—what seems to be the greatest in the present business—we should lay open and promulgate the four PLANETS, never seen from the first beginning of the world up to our own times, the occasion of discovering and observing them, as well as their positions, and, over the two most recent months, the observations held concerning their motions and mutations; convoking all Astronomers to apply themselves to inquiring into and defining their periods, which it has by no means been permitted us to achieve up to this day, on account of the narrowness of time. Them, however, we again warn, lest they approach such an inspection in vain: that there is need of a most exact Spyglass, and of one such as we described at the beginning of this discourse.

Die itaque septima Ianuarii, instantis anni millesimi sexcentesimi decimi, hora sequentis noctis prima, cum cêlestia sidera per Perspicillum spectarem, Iuppiter sese obviam fecit; cumque admodum excellens mihi parassem instrumentum (quod antea ob alterius organi debilitatem minime contigerat), tres illi adstare Stellulas, exiguas quidem, veruntamen clarissimas, cognovi; quê, licet e numero inerrantium a me crederentur, nonnullam tamen intulerunt admirationem, eo quod secundum exactam lineam rectam atque Eclipticê parallelam dispositê videbantur, ac cêteris magnitudine paribus splendidiores. Eratque illarum inter se et ad Iovem talis constitutio:

Therefore on the seventh day of January, of the present year 1610, at the first hour of the following night, while I was viewing the celestial stars through the Perspicillum, Jupiter presented himself; and since I had prepared for myself a very excellent instrument (which previously, on account of the weakness of another organ, had by no means occurred), I recognized that three little stars stood by him, small indeed, but nevertheless very bright; which, although they were believed by me to be of the number of the inerrant, nevertheless brought some admiration, because they seemed arranged along an exact straight line and parallel to the Ecliptic, and, equal in magnitude to the others, yet more splendid. And their configuration among themselves and toward Jupiter was as follows:

ex parte scilicet orientali duê aderant Stellê, una vero occasum versus. Orientalior atque occidentalis, reliqua paulo maiores apparebant: de distantia inter ipsas et Iovem minime sollicitus fui; fixê enim, uti diximus primo, creditê fuerunt. Cum autem die octava, nescio quo fato ductus, ad inspectionem eandem reversus essem, longe aliam constitutionem reperi: erant enim tres Stellulê occidentales omnes, a Iove atque inter se, quam superiori nocte, viciniores, paribusque interstitiis mutuo disseparatê, veluti apposita prêsefert delineatio.

on the eastern side, namely, two stars were present, one indeed toward the west. The more eastern and the western appeared somewhat larger than the remaining one: concerning the distance between them and Jupiter I was not at all solicitous; for they were believed fixed, as we said at first. But when on the eighth day, led by I know not what fate, I had returned to the same inspection, I found a far different configuration: for the three little stars were all western, closer to Jupiter and to one another than on the previous night, and mutually separated by equal intervals, as the appended delineation bears forth.

Hic, licet ad mutuam Stellarum appropinquationem minime cogitationem appulissem, hêsitare tamen cœpi, quonam pacto Iuppiter ab omnibus prêdictis fixis posset orientalior reperiri, cum a binis ex illis pridie occidentalis fuisset: ac proinde veritus sum ne forte secus a computo astronomico directus foret, ac propterea motu proprio Stellas illas antevertisset. Quapropter maximo cum desiderio sequentem expectavi noctem; verum a spe frustratus fui, nubibus enim undiquaque obductum fuit cêlum.

Here, although I had by no means applied my thought to the mutual approximation of the stars, nevertheless I began to hesitate, by what manner Jupiter could be found more easterly than all the aforesaid fixed stars, since the day before he had been more westerly than a pair of them: and therefore I feared lest perhaps he had been guided otherwise than by the astronomical computation, and had therefore by his own proper motion outstripped those stars. Wherefore with the greatest desire I awaited the following night; but of my hope I was frustrated, for the sky was overcast with clouds on every side.

At die decima apparuerunt Stellê in eiusmodi ad Iovem positu:

But on the tenth day the Stars appeared in such a position relative to Jove:

duê enim tantum, et orientales ambê, aderant; tertia, ut opinatus fui, sub Iove latitante. Erant pariter, veluti antea, in eadem recta cum Iove, ac iuxta Zodiaci longitudinem adamussim locatê. Hêc cum vidissem, cumque mutationes consimiles in Iove nulla ratione reponi posse intelligerem, atque insuper spectatas Stellas semper easdem fuisse cognoscerem (nullê enim aliê, aut prêcedentes, aut consequentes, intra magnum intervallum iuxta longitudinem Zodiaci aderant), iam ambiguitatem in admirationem permutans, apparentem commutationem, non in Iove, sed in Stellis adnotatis repositam esse comperi; ac proinde oculate et scrupulose magis deinceps observandum fore sum ratus.

for only two, and both the eastern ones, were present; the third, as I supposed, lying hidden under Jupiter. They were likewise, just as before, in the same straight line with Jupiter, and placed exactly according to the longitude of the Zodiac. These things when I had seen, and when I understood that similar changes could by no means be attributed to Jupiter, and moreover recognized that the observed Stars had always been the same (for no others, either preceding or following, were present within a great interval along the longitude of the Zodiac), now changing uncertainty into admiration, I discovered that the apparent change was set not in Jupiter but in the noted Stars; and therefore I judged that henceforth it would have to be observed more keen-sightedly and scrupulously.

Die itaque undecima eiuscemodi constitutionem vidi:

Therefore, on the eleventh day, I saw a configuration of such a kind:

Stellas scilicet tantum duas orientales; quarum media triplo distabat a Iove, quam ab orientaliori, eratque orientalior duplo fere maior reliqua, cum tamen antecedenti nocte êquales ferme apparuissent. Statutum ideo omnique procul dubio a me decretum fuit, tres in cêlis adesse Stellas vagantes circa Iovem, instar Veneris atque Mercurii circa Solem; quod tandem luce meridiana clarius in aliis postmodum compluribus inspectionibus observatum est: ac non tantum tres, verum quatuor esse vaga Sidera circa Iovem suas circumvolutiones obeuntia; quorum permutationes, exactius consequenter observatas, subsequens narratio ministrabit: interstitia quoque inter ipsa per Perspicillum, superius explicata ratione, dimetitus sum: horas insuper observationum, prêsertim cum plures in eadem nocte habitê fuerunt, apposui; adeo enim celeres horum Planetarum extant revolutiones, ut horarias quoque differentias plerunque liceat accipere.

The stars, namely only two eastern ones; of which the middle was threefold farther from Jupiter than from the more eastern, and the more eastern was almost twice as great as the remaining one, although on the preceding night they had appeared nearly equal. Therefore it was established and, beyond all doubt, by me decreed that there are three wandering Stars in the heavens around Jupiter, after the manner of Venus and Mercury around the Sun; which was afterward observed, with midday light’s clarity, in several further inspections: and that not only three, but four are wandering Sidereal bodies around Jupiter, accomplishing their circumvolutions; whose permutations, more exactly observed thereafter, the subsequent narration will supply: the intervals also between them I measured through the Perspicillum, by the method explained above: moreover I appended the hours of the observations, especially when several were held in the same night; for the revolutions of these Planets are so swift that one may for the most part take even hourly differences.

Die igitur duodecima, hora sequentis noctis prima, hac ratione disposita Sidera vidi:

Therefore on the twelfth day, at the first hour of the following night, I saw the Stars arranged in this manner:

erat orientalior Stella occidentaliori maior, ambê tamen valde conspicuê ac splendidê: utraque distabat a Iove scrupulis primis duobus: tertia quoque Stellula apparere cœpit hora tertia, prius minime conspecta, quê ex parte orientali Iovem fere tangebat, eratque admodum exigua. Omnes fuerunt in eadem recta et secundum Eclipticê longitudinem coordinatê.

the more eastern Star was larger than the more western, both however very conspicuous and splendid; each was distant from Jupiter by two first minutes of arc; a third little Star also began to appear at the third hour, previously not at all seen, which on the eastern side of Jupiter was almost touching, and was very small. All were in the same straight line and, according to the Ecliptic’s longitude, coordinated.

Die decimatertia primum a me quatuor conspectê fuerunt Stellulê in hac ad Iovem constitutione:

On the thirteenth day, for the first time four Little Stars were seen by me in this with respect to Jupiter configuration:

erant tres occidentales et una orientalis: lineam proxime rectam constituebant; media enim occidentalium paululum a recta septentrionem versus deflectebat. Aberat orientalior a Iove minuta duo: reliquarum et Iovis intercapedines erant singulae unius tantum minuti. Stellê omnes eandem prê se ferebant magnitudinem, ac, licet exiguam, lucidissimê tamen erant ac fixis eiusdem magnitudinis longe splendidiores.

there were three occidental and one oriental: they constituted a line nearly straight; for the middle one of the occidentals deflected a little from the straight toward the north. The more oriental was two minutes distant from Jupiter: the intervals of the rest and Jupiter were each only of one minute. All the stars presented the same magnitude, and, although small, they were nevertheless very bright and far more splendid than fixed stars of the same magnitude.

Die decimaquarta nubilosa fuit tempestas.

The weather was cloudy on the fourteenth day.

Die decimaquinta, hora noctis tertia, in proxime depicta fuerunt habitudine quatuor Stellê ad Iovem:

On the fifteenth day, at the third hour of the night, the four Stars were in the arrangement next depicted with respect to Jupiter:

occidentales omnes ac in eadem proxime recta linea dispositê; quê enim tertia a Iove numerabatur paululum in boream attollebatur: propinquior Iovi erat omnium minima, reliquê consequenter maiores apparebant: intervalla inter Iovem et tria consequentia Sidera erant êqualia omnia ac duorum minutorum; at occidentalius aberat a sibi propinquo minutis quatuor. Erant lucida valde, et nihil scintillantia, qualia semper, tum ante, tum post, apparuerunt. Verum hora septima tres solummodo aderant Stellê, in huiuscemodi cum Iove aspectu:

all were western and arranged in the same almost straight line; for the one which was counted third from Jupiter was raised a little toward the north: the one nearer to Jupiter was the smallest of all, the remaining ones appeared correspondingly larger: the intervals between Jupiter and the three subsequent Stars were all equal and of two minutes; but the more-western was distant from its nearest by four minutes. They were very bright, and not at all scintillating, such as they always, both before and after, appeared. But at the seventh hour only three Stars were present, in an aspect of this sort with Jupiter:

erant nempe in eadem recta ad unguem: vicinior Iovi erat admodum exigua, et ab illo semota per minuta prima tria; ab hac secunda distabat min. uno; tertia vero a secunda min. pr. 4, sec.

they were indeed exactly in the same straight line: the one nearer to Jupiter was very small, and from him separated by three first minutes; from this one the second was distant by one min.; but the third from the second by 4 first min., sec.

30. Post vero aliam horam duê Stellulê mediê adhuc viciniores erant: aberant enim min. sc. vix 30 tantum.

30. But after another hour, the two middle little stars were still closer: for they were distant by min., to wit, scarcely only 30.

Die decimasexta, hora prima noctis, tres vidimus Stellas iuxta hunc ordinem dispositas:

On the 16th day, at the first hour of the night, we saw three Stars arranged according to this order:

duae Iovem intercipiebant, ab eo per min. 0, sec. 40 hinc inde remotê; tertia vero occidentalis a Iove distabat min.

two were intercepting Jupiter, at a distance from him by min. 0, sec. 40 on both sides; the third, however, the western one, was distant from Jupiter by min.

8. Iovi proximê non maiores, sed lucidiores apparebant remotiori.

8. Those nearest to Jupiter appeared not larger, but brighter than the
more remote one.

Die decimaseptima, hora ab occasu 0, min. 30, huiusmodi fuit configuratio:

On the 17th day, at 0 hours, 30 minutes from sunset, of this sort was the configuration:

Stella una tantum orientalis a Iove distabat min. 3; occidentalis pariter una, a Iove distans min. 11. Orientalis duplo maior apparebat occidentali; nec plures aderant quam istê duê. Verum post horas quatuor, hora nempe proxime quinta, tertia ex parte orientali emergere cœpit, quê antea, ut opinor, cum priori iuncta erat; fuitque talis positio:

Only a single eastern star was distant from Jupiter by min. 3; likewise a single western, from Jupiter distant by min. 11. The eastern appeared twice as great as the western; nor were more present than these two. But after four hours, namely close upon the fifth hour, a third on the eastern side began to emerge, which previously, as I suppose, had been joined with the former; and the position was as follows:

Media Stella, orientali quam proxima, min. tantum sec. 20 elongabatur ab illa, et a linea recta, per extremas et Iovem producta, paululum versus austrum declinabat.

The middle Star, as nearest to the eastern one, was separated from it by only 0 min. 20 sec., and from the straight line, drawn through the outer ones and Jupiter, it declined a little toward the south.

Die decima octava, hora 0, min. 20 ab occasu, talis fuit aspectus:

On the eighteenth day, hour 0, min. 20 after sunset, such was the aspect:

erat Stella orientalis maior occidentali, et a Iove distans min. pr. 8: occidentalis vero a Iove aberat min. 10.

the Eastern Star was greater than the Western, and at a distance from Jupiter by 8 first minutes (arcminutes): the Western, however, was away from Jupiter by 10 minutes.

Die decimanona, hora noctis secunda, talis fuit Stellarum coordinatio:

On the nineteenth day, at the second hour of the night, such was the coordination of the Stars:

erant nempe secundum rectam lineam ad unguem tres cum Iove Stellê: orientalis una, a Iove distans min. pr. 6: inter Iovem et primam sequentem occidentalem mediabat min. 5 interstitium: hêc autem ab occidentaliori aberat min.

there were, namely, exactly along a straight line, three Stars with Jupiter: one eastern, at a distance from Jupiter of min. pr. 6: between Jupiter and the first following western there intervened min. 5 interval: but this one was distant by min. from the more western.

4. Anceps eram tunc, nunquid inter orientalem Stellam et Iovem Stellula mediaret, verum Iovi quamproxima, adeo ut illum fere tangeret. At, hora quinta, hanc manifeste vidi medium iam inter Iovem et orientalem Stellam locum exquisite occupantem, ita ut talis fuerit configuratio:

4. I was uncertain then, whether between the eastern Star and Jupiter a little Star would mediate, indeed being very nearest to Jupiter, so that it almost touched it. But, at the fifth hour, I manifestly saw this one now exquisitely occupying the middle place between Jupiter and the eastern Star, so that such was the configuration:

Stella insuper novissime conspecta admodum exigua fuit; veruntamen, hora sexta, reliquis magnitudine fere fuit êqualis.

The star, moreover, most recently observed, was very small; nevertheless, at the sixth hour, it was almost equal to the rest in magnitude.

Die vigesima, hora 1, min. 15, constitutio consimilis visa est:

On the twentieth day, hour 1, min. 15, a similar configuration was seen:

aderant tres Stellulê adeo exiguê, ut vix percipi possent: a Iove, et inter se non magis distabant minuto uno: incertus eram, nunquid ex occidente duê, an tres, adessent Stellulê. Circa horam sextam hoc pacto erant dispositê:

There were present three little stars so very small that they could scarcely be perceived: from Jove, and from one another, they were not
more distant than one minute: I was uncertain whether from the west two, or three, little stars were present
Around the sixth hour they were arranged in this fashion:

orientalis enim a Iove duplo magis aberat quam antea, nempe min. 2; media occidentalis a Iove distabat min. 0, sec.

for the oriental one was twice as far from Jove as before, namely min. 2; the middle occidental was distant from Jove min. 0, sec.

40, ab occidentaliori vero min. 0, sec. 20. Tandem, hora septima, tres ex occidente visê fuerunt Stellulê:

40, but from the more occidental one 0 min., 20 sec. Finally, at the seventh hour, three little stars were seen from the west:

Iovi proxima aberat ab eo min. 0, sec. 20; inter hanc et occidentaliorem intervallum erat minutorum secundorum 40: inter has vero alia spectabatur paululum ad meridiem deflectens, ab occidentaliori non pluribus decem secundis remota.

The one nearest to Jupiter was distant from it min. 0, sec. 20; between this and the more westerly the interval was 40 seconds: between these, however, another was observed, deflecting a little toward the south, not more than ten seconds distant from the more westerly.

Die vigesimaprima, hora 0, min. 30, aderant ex oriente Stellulê tres, êqualiter inter se et a Iove distantes:

On the twenty-first day, at hour 0, min. 30, there were present from the east three little stars, equally distant among themselves and from Jove:

interstitia vero, secundum existimationem, 50 secundorum minutorum fuere. Aderat quoque Stella ex occidente, a Iove distans min. pr. 4. Orientalis Iovi proxima erat omnium minima; reliquê vero aliquanto maiores, atque inter se proxime êquales.

the intervals, according to estimation, were 50 seconds of arc. There was also a Star on the west, at a distance of 4 arcminutes from Jupiter. The eastern, nearest to Jupiter, was the least of all; but the rest were somewhat larger, and among themselves nearly equal.

Die vigesima secunda, hora 2, consimilis fuit Stellarum dispositio:

On the twenty-second day, at hour 2, the disposition of the Stars was similar:

a Stella orientali ad Iovem minutorum primorum 5 fuit intervallum, a Iove ad occidentaliorem pr. 7. Duê vero occidentales intermediê distabant ad invicem min. 0, sec. 40; propinquior vero Iovi aberat ab illo m. p. 1. Ipsê mediê Stellulê minores erant extremis: fuerunt vero secundum eandem rectam lineam iuxta Zodiaci longitudinem extensê, nisi quod trium occidentalium media paululum in austrum deflectebat.

from the eastern Star to Jupiter there was an interval of 5 arcminutes, from Jupiter to
the more western 7. But the two western ones lying between were distant from one another 0 arcminutes,
40 arcseconds; but the one nearer to Jupiter was away from it by 1 arcminute. The middle little stars themselves
were smaller than the extreme ones: and they were stretched along the same straight line according to the longitude of the Zodiac,
except that the middle of the three western ones deflected a little to the south.

Sed, hora noctis sexta, in hac constitutione visê sunt:

But, at the sixth hour of the night, in this configuration they were seen:

orientalis admodum exigua erat, distans a Iove, ut antea, min. pr. 5. Tres vero occidentales, et a Iove et ad invicem, êqualiter dirimebantur, erantque intercapedines singulê min. 1, sec.

the eastern one was very small, standing apart from Jupiter, as before, by 5 arcminutes. The three western ones, both from Jupiter and from one another, were separated equally, and the intervals were each 1 minute, seconds.

20 proxime: et Stella Iovi vicinior, reliquis duabus sequentibus minor apparebat: omnesque in eadem recta exquisite dispositê videbantur.

20 next: and the Star nearer to Jupiter, than the two remaining that followed, appeared smaller: and all were seen exquisitely disposed in the same straight line.

Die vigesima tertia, hora 0, min. 40 ab occasu, in hunc ferme modum Stellarum constitutio se habuit:

On the 23rd day, at hour 0, min. 40 after sunset, in about this manner the arrangement of the Stars was:

erant tres Stellê cum Iove in recta linea secundum Zodiaci longitudinem, veluti semper fuerunt: orientales erant duê, una vero occidentalis. Orientalior aberat a sequenti min. pr. 7, hêc vero a Iove min.

there were three stars with Jupiter in a straight line according to the Zodiac’s longitude, as they always were: the eastern ones were two, but one western. The more eastern was distant from the following by 7 min., and this one from Jupiter by min.

2, sec. 40, Iuppiter ab occidentali min. 3, sec.

2, sec. 40, Jupiter from the western one min. 3, sec.

20: erantque omnes magnitudine fere êquales. Sed, hora quinta, duê Stellê, quê prius Iovi erant proximê, amplius non cernebantur, sub Iove, ut arbitror, latitantes; fuitque talis aspectus:

20: and all were nearly equal in magnitude. But, at the fifth hour, the two Stars, which earlier were nearest to Jupiter, were no longer seen, hiding beneath Jupiter, as I judge; and such was the aspect:

Die vigesimaquarta, tres Stellê, orientales omnes, visê sunt, ac fere in eadem cum Iove recta linea:

On the twenty-fourth day, three Stars, all eastern, were seen, and almost in the same straight line with Jove:

media enim modice in austrum deflectebat. Iovi propinquior distabat ab eo min. 2, sequens ab hac min.

for the middle one deflected mildly to the south. The one nearer to Jupiter was distant from it 2 min., the following from this min.

0, sec. 30, ab hac vero aberat orientalior min. 9: erantque omnes admodum spiendidê. Hora vero sexta, duê solummodo sese offerebant Stellê in hoc positu:

0, sec. 30, but from this the more oriental was 9 min. distant: and all were exceedingly splendidly. Hour indeed the sixth, only two Stars offered themselves in this position:

nempe cum Iove in eadem recta linea ad ungem, a quo elongabatur propinquior min. p. 3, altera vero ab hac min. p. 8: in unam, ni fallor, coierant duê mediê prius observatê Stellulê.

namely, with Jove in the same straight line to a nicety, from which the nearer was elongated by 3 min. (of arc),
the other indeed from this by 8 min. (of arc): into one, unless I am mistaken, the two little stars previously observed in the middle had come together.

Die vigesimaquinta, hora 1, min. 40, ita se habebat constitutio:

On the twenty-fifth day, at hour 1, min. 40, the configuration stood thus:

aderant enim duê tantum Stellê ex orientali plaga, eêque satis magnê: orientalior a media distabat min. 5, media vero a Iove min. 6.

for there were present only two Stars from the oriental quarter, and these quite large: the more easterly from the middle was distant by min. 5,
and the middle from Jove by min. 6.

Die vigesima sexta, hora 0, min. 40, Stellarum coordinatio eiusmodi fuit:

On the twenty-sixth day, hour 0, min. 40, the coordination of the stars was of this sort:

spectabantur enim Stellê tres, quarum duê orientales, tertia occidentalis a Iove: hêc ab eo min. 5 aberat, media vero orientalis ab eodem distabat min. 5, sec.

for three Stars were observed, of which two were eastern, the third western from Jupiter:
this one was 5 min. away from him, but the middle eastern one was distant from the same 5 min., sec.

20; orientalior vero a media min. 6: in eadem recta constitutê, et eiusdem magnitudinis erant. Hora deinde quinta, constitutio fere eadem fuit; in hoc tantum discrepans, quod prope Iovem quarta Stellula ex oriente emergebat, cêteris minor, a Iove tunc remota min.

20; the more oriental one, however, from the middle by min. 6: they were placed on the same straight line, and were of the same magnitude. Then at the fifth hour, the configuration was almost the same; differing only in this, that near Jupiter a fourth little star was emerging from the east, smaller than the rest, then removed from Jupiter by min.

30, sed paululum a recta linea versus Boream attollebatur, ut apposita figura demonstrat:

30, but it was raised a little from the straight line toward Boreas (the North), as the appended figure shows:

Die vigesima septima, hora 1 ab occasu, unica tantum Stellula conspiciebatur, eaque orientalis, secundum hanc constitutionem:

On the twenty-seventh day, at 1 hour after sunset, only a single little star was visible, and it was eastern, according to this constitution:

eratque admodum exigua, et a Iove remota min. 7.

and it was very small, and 7 min. distant from Jupiter.

Die vigesima octava et vigesima nona, ob nubium interpositionem nihil observare licuit.

On the twenty-eighth day and the twenty-ninth, on account of the interposition of clouds, it was permitted to observe nothing.

Die trigesima, hora prima noctis, tali pacto constituta spectabantur Sidera:

On the thirtieth day, at the first hour of the night, the Stars, established in such a manner, were observed:

unum aderat orientale, a Iove distans min. 2, sec. 30, duo vero ex occidente, quorum Iovi propinquius aberat ab eo min.

one was present in the east, distant from Jove 2 min., 30 sec., but two from the west, of which the one nearer to Jove was distant from him min.

3, reliquum ab hoc min. 1: extremorum et Iovis positus in eadem recta linea fuit, at media Stella paululum in Boream attollebatur: occidentalior fuit reliquis minor.

3 seconds, the remaining from this by 1 min.: the position of the extremes and of Jupiter
was in the same straight line, but the middle Star was raised a little toward the North: the more western
was smaller than the rest.

Die ultima, hora secunda, visê sunt orientales Stellêie duê, una vero occidua:

On the last day, at the second hour, two oriental stars were seen, and one indeed occidental:

Orientalium media a Iove aberat min. 2, sec. 20; orientalior vero ab ipsa media min.

The middle of the oriental ones was distant from Jupiter 2 min. 20 sec.; the more oriental indeed from that middle itself min.

0, sec. 30; occidentalis distabat a Iove min. 10: erant in eadem recta linea proxime, orientalis tantum Iovi vicinior modicum quiddam in Septentrionem elevabatur.

0, sec. 30; the western was distant from Jupiter by min. 10: they were approximately in the same straight line, only the eastern one, nearer to Jupiter, was elevated a small amount toward the North.

Hora vero quarta,

However, at the fourth hour,

duê orientales viciniores ad invicem adhuc erant; aberant enim solummodo min. sec. 20. Apparuit in hisce observationibus occidentalis Stella satis exigua.

the two eastern ones were still nearer to each other; for they were distant only 20 seconds. In these observations the western Star appeared rather small.

Die Februarii prima, hora noctis secunda, consimilis fuit constitutio:

On the first of February, at the second hour of the night, the constitution was similar:

Distabat orientalior Stella a Iove min. 6, occidentalis vero 8; ex parte orientali Stella quêdam, admodum exigua, a Iove distabat minutis secundis 20: rectam ad unguem designabant lineam.

The more easterly Star was distant from Jove by 6 min., whereas the westerly by 8; on the eastern side a certain Star, quite exiguous, was distant from Jove by 20 seconds: they designated a line exactly straight to a nicety.

Die secunda, iuxta hunc ordinem visê sunt Stellê:

On the second day, according to this order the Stars were seen:

Una tantum orientalis a Iove distabat min. 6; Iuppiter ab occidentali viciniori aberat min. 4; inter hanc et occidentaliorem min.

Only one eastern star was distant from Jupiter by min. 6; Jupiter was away from the nearer western star by
min. 4; between this and the more westerly star min.

8 fuit intercapedo: erant in eadem recta ad unguem, et eiusdem fere magnitudinis. Sed, hora septima, quatuor aderant Stellê:

8 the interval was 8 minutes: they were in the same straight line to a nicety, and nearly of the same magnitude. But, at the seventh hour, four Stars were present:

inter quas Iuppiter mediam occupabat sedem. Harum Stellarum orientalior distabat a sequenti min. 4, hêc a Iove min.

among which Jupiter occupied the middle seat. Of these stars, the more eastern was distant from the following by min. 4, this one from Jupiter by min.

1, sec. 40: Iuppiter ab occidentali sibi viciniori aberat min. 6, hêc vero ab occidentaliori min.

1, sec. 40: Jupiter was 6 min. away from the western one nearest to itself, and this one indeed from the more westerly, min.

8: erantque pariter omnes in eadem recta linea, secundum Zodiaci longitudinem extensa.

8: and all alike were in the same straight line, extended according to the longitude of the Zodiac.

Die tertia, hora septima, in hac serie dispositê fuerunt Stellê:

On the third day, at the seventh hour, in this series the Stars were disposed:

orientalis a Iove distabat min. 1, sec. 30, occidentalis proxima min.

the eastern was distant from Jupiter min. 1, sec. 30, the western, the nearest, min.

2: ab hac vero elongabatur occidentalior altera min. 10: erant prêcise in eadem recta, et magnitudinis êqualis.

2: from this indeed the more westerly other was distant by 10 min.: they were precisely on the same straight line, and of equal magnitude.

Die quarta, hora secunda, circa Iovem quatuor stabant Stellê, orientales duê, ac duê occidentales, in eadem ad unguem recta linea dispositê, ut in proxima figura:

On the fourth day, at the second hour, around Jupiter four Stars stood, the two eastern, and the two western, arranged on the same straight line to a nicety, as in the next figure:

Orientalior distabat a sequenti min. 3, hêc vero a Iove aberat min. 0, sec.

The more eastern was distant from the following by 3 min., and this one in fact was distant from Jupiter by 0 min., sec.

40, Iuppiter a proxima occidentali min. 4, hêc ab occidentaliori min. 6. Magnitudine erant fere êquales; proximior Iovi reliquis paulo minor apparebat.

40, Jupiter from the nearest western one min. 4, this one from the more western min. 6. In magnitude they were nearly equal; the one nearer to Jupiter appeared a little smaller than the others.

Hora autem septima, orientales Stellê distabant tantum min. 0, sec. 30.

At the seventh hour, the oriental Stars were distant only min. 0, sec. 30.

Iuppiter ab orientali viciniori aberat min. 2, ab occidentali vero sequente min. 4, hêc vero ab occidentaliori distabat min.

Jupiter was distant from the nearer eastern star by min. 2, but from the following western by min. 4, and this one was distant from the more westerly by min.

3: erantque êquales omnes, et in eadem recta secundum Eclipticam extensa.

3: and all were equal, and in the same straight line extended along the Ecliptic.

Die quinta, Cêlum fuit nubilosum.

On the fifth day, the sky was cloudy.

Die sexta, duê solummodo apparuerunt Stellê, medium Iovem intercipientes, ut in figura apposita spectatur:

On the sixth day, only two stars appeared, intercepting Jupiter in the middle, as is seen in
the appended figure:

orientalis a Iove distabat min. 2, occidentalis vero min. 3: erant in eadem recta cum Iove, et magnitudine pares.

the eastern [one] was distant from Jupiter 2 min., but the western 3 min.: they were in the same straight line with
Jupiter, and equal in magnitude.

Die septima, duê adstabant Stellê, a Iove orientales ambê, in hunc dispositê modum:

On the seventh day, two Stars stood by, both to the east of Jupiter, arranged in this manner:

intercapedines inter ipsas et Iovem erant êquales, unius nempe minuti primi; ac per ipsas et centrum Iovis recta linea incedebat.

the intervals between them and Jupiter were equal, namely of one arcminute; and through them and the center of Jupiter a straight line passed.

Die octava, hora prima, aderant tres Stellê orientales omnes, ut in descriptione:

On the eighth day, at the first hour, there were present three stars, all eastern, as in the description:

Iovi proxima, exigua satis, distabat ab eo min. 1, sec. 20; media vero ab hac min.

The one nearest to Jupiter, quite small, was distant from it min. 1, sec. 20; but the middle one from this min.

4, eratque satis magna; orientalior, admodum exigua, ab hac distabat min. 0, sec. 20. Anceps eram, nunquid Iovi proxima una tantum, an duê forent Stellulê; videbatur enim interdum huic alia adesse versus ortum, mirum in modum exigua, et ab illa seiuncta per min.

4,
and it was fairly large; the more oriental, quite small indeed, was distant from this one by 0 min., 20 sec. Dubious
I was, whether the one nearest to Jove was only a single one, or whether there might be two little stars; for at times
another seemed to be present to this one toward the east, in a wondrous manner very small, and separated from that one by min.

0, sec. 10 tantum: fuerunt omnes in eadem recta linea secundum Zodiaci ductum extensê. Hora vero tertia, Stella Iovi proxima illum fere tangebat; distabat enim ab eo min. 0, sec.

0 min., only 10 sec.: they all were extended in the same straight line according to the Zodiac’s track. But at the third hour,
the Star nearest to Jupiter was almost touching him; for it was distant from him by 0 min., sec.

10 tantum: reliquê vero a Iove remotiores factê fuerunt; aberat enim media a Iove min. 6. Tandem, hora quarta, quê prius Iovi proxima erat, cum eo iuncta, non cernebatur amplius.

10 only: but the remaining ones were made more remote from Jupiter; for the middle one was distant from Jupiter min. 6. Finally, at the fourth hour, the one which previously was nearest to Jupiter, joined with it, was no longer seen.

Die nona, hora 0, m. 30, adstabant Iovi Stellê duê orientales, et una occidentalis, in tali dispositione:

On the ninth day, at hour 0, min. 30, there stood by Jupiter two eastern Stars, and one western, in such a disposition:

Orientalior, quê satis exigua erat, a sequenti distabat min. 4; media, maior, a Iove aberat min. 7; Iuppiter ab occidentali, quê parva erat, distabat min.

More eastern, which was quite exiguous, was distant from the following by 4 min.; the middle one, larger, was away from Jupiter by 7 min.; Jupiter from the western, which was small, was distant by min.

Die decima, hora prima, min. 30, Stellulê binê, admodum exiguê, orientales ambê, in tali dispositione visê sunt:

On the 10th day, at the 1st hour, min. 30, two little stars, exceedingly small, both eastern, were seen in such a disposition:

remotior distabat a Iove min. 10, vicinior vero min. 0, sec.

the more remote was distant from Jupiter 10 min.; the nearer indeed 0 min., sec.

20; erantque in eadem recta. Hora autem quarta, Stella Iovi proxima amplius non apparebat: altera quoque adeo imminuta videbatur, ut vix cerni posset, licet aÎr prêclarus esset; et a Iove remotior, quam antea, erat; distabat siquidem min. 12.

20; and they were in the same straight line. But at the fourth hour, the Star nearest to Jupiter no longer appeared: the other also seemed so diminished that it could scarcely be seen, although the air was very clear; and it was more remote from Jupiter, than before; indeed it was distant by min. 12.

Die undecima, hora prima, aderant ab oriente Stellê duê, et una ab occasu. Distabat occidentalis a Iove min. 4; orientalis vicinior

On the eleventh day, at the first hour, there were two stars present from the east, and one from the west. The western one was distant from Jupiter by min. 4; the eastern one nearer

aberat pariter a Iove min. 4; orientalior vero ab hac distabat min. 8: erant satis perspicuê, et in eadem recta. Sed hora tertia, Stella quarta, Iovi proxima, ab oriente visa est, reliquis minor, a Iove dissita

it was likewise 4 min. from Jupiter; but the more eastern one was distant from this by 8 min.: they were quite perspicuous, and in the same straight line. But at the third hour, a fourth Star, nearest to Jupiter, was seen from the east, smaller than the rest, separated from Jupiter

per min. 0, sec. 30, et a recta linea per reliquas Stellas protracta, modicum in aquilonem deflectens: splendidissimê erant omnes, ac valde conspicuê. Hora vero quinta cum dimidia, iam Stella orientalis, Iovi proxima, ab illo remotior facta, medium inter ipsum et Stellam orientaliorem, sibi propinquam, obtinebat locum; erantque omnes in eadem recta linea ad unguem, et eiusdem magnitudinis, ut in apposita descriptione videre licet:

for min. 0, sec. 30, and, from the straight line drawn through the remaining Stars, bending a little toward the north: they were all most brilliant, and very conspicuous. But at the fifth hour and a half, already the eastern Star, nearest to Jupiter, having become more distant from it, held the middle place between it and the more eastern Star, near to it; and they were all in the same straight line exactly, and of the same magnitude, as can be seen in the appended description:

Die duodecima, hora 0, min. 40, Stellê binê ab ortu, binê pariter ab occasu, adstabant. Orientalis remotior a Iove distabat min.

On the twelfth day, hour 0, min. 40, two stars from the east, and likewise two from the west, were standing by. The more eastern one, farther from Jupiter, was distant by min.

10, longinquior vero occidentalis aberat min. 8,

10, but the more remote occidental was 8 min. away,

erantque ambê satis conspicuê; reliquê duê Iovi erant vicinissimê, et admodum exiguê, prêsertim orientalis, quê a Iove distabat min. 0, sec. 40; occidentalis vero, min.

and both were quite conspicuous; the remaining two were very near to Jupiter, and very minute, especially the eastern, which was distant from Jupiter by min. 0, sec. 40; the western, however, min.

1. Hora vero quarta, Stellula, quê Iovi erat proxima ex oriente, amplius non apparebat.

1. But at the fourth hour, the Little Star, which was nearest to Jupiter from the east, no longer appeared.

Die decimatertia, hora 0, min. 30, duê Stellê apparebant ab ortu,

On the thirteenth day, hour 0, min. 30, two Stars appeared from the east,

duê insuper ab occasu. Orientalis ac Iovi vicinior, satis perspicua, distabat ab eo min. 2; ab hac orientalior, minus apparens, aberat min.

two moreover from the west. The eastern one, and nearer to Jupiter, quite perspicuous, was distant from him
min. 2; from this, the more eastern one, less apparent, was distant min.

4. Ex occidentalibus, remotior a Iove, conspicua valde, ab eo dirimebatur min. 4; inter hanc et Iovem intercidebat Stellula exigua ac occidentaliori Stellê vicinior, cum ab ea non magis abesset min. 0, sec.

4. Of the western ones, the one more remote from Jove, very conspicuous, was separated from him by 4 min.; between this and Jove a tiny little star was interposed and was nearer to the more western star, since it was not more distant from it than 0 min., sec.

30. Erant omnes in eadem recta secundum Eclipticê longitudinem ad unguem.

30. They were all on the same straight line according to the Ecliptic longitude, to a nicety.

Die decimaquinta (nam decimaquarta Cêlum nubibus fuit obductum), hora prima, talis fuit astrorum positus:

On the fifteenth day (for on the fourteenth the Sky was overcast with clouds), at the first hour, such was the position of the stars:

tres nempe erant orientales Stellê, nulla vero cernebatur occidentalis: orientalis Iovi proxima distabat ab eo min. 0, sec. 50; sequens ab hac aberat min.

namely, there were three eastern Stars, but truly no western was seen: the eastern nearest to Jupiter was distant from it min. 0, sec. 50; the next after this was distant min.

0, sec. 20, ab hac vero orientalior min. 2; eratque reliquis maior; viciniores enim Iovi erant admodum exiguê. Sed, hora proxime quinta, ex Stellis Iovi proximis una tantum cernebatur, a

0, 20 sec., from this
but the more easterly than this by 2 min.; and it was greater than the rest; for those nearer to Jupiter were very small. But, near the fifth hour, of the stars nearest to Jupiter only one was discerned, from

Iove distans min. 0, sec. 30; orientalioris vero elongatio a Iove adaucta erat; fuit enim tunc min.

at a distance from Jupiter 0 min., 30 sec.; but the elongation of the more easterly one from Jupiter had been augmented; it was indeed then min.

4. At, hora sexta, prêter duas, ut modo dictum est, ab oriente constitutas, una versus occasum cernebatur Stellula, admodum exigua, a Iove remota min. 2.

4. But, at the sixth hour, besides the two, as just said, situated to the east, one little star was discerned toward the west, very small, distant from Jupiter by min. 2.

Die decimasexta, hora sexta, in tali constitutione steterunt:

On the sixteenth day, at the sixth hour, they stood in such a configuration:

Stella nempe orientalis a Iove min. 7 aberat, Iuppiter a sequenti occidua min. 5, hêc vero a reliqua occidentaliori min.

Namely, the oriental star was distant from Jove by min. 7, Jupiter from the following occidental one by min. 5, this one indeed from the remaining more occidental one by min.

3: erant omnes eiusdem proxime magnitudinis, satis conspicuê, et in eadem recta linea exquisite secundum Zodiaci ductum.

3: they were all of nearly the same magnitude, quite conspicuous, and in the same straight line, precisely according to the course of the Zodiac.

Die decimaseptima, hora 1, duê aderant Stellê:

On the seventeenth day, at hour 1, two stars were present:

orientalis una, a Iove distans min. 3, occidentalis altera, distans min. 10: hêc erat aliquanto minor orientali.

one eastern, distant from Jupiter min. 3, the other western, distant min. 10: this was somewhat smaller than the eastern.

Sed, hora 6, orientalis proximior erat Iovi, distabat nempe min. 0, sec. 50; occidentalis vero remotior fuit, scilicet min.

But, at hour 6, the oriental was closer to Jupiter; it was distant, namely,
min. 0, sec. 50; but the occidental indeed was more remote, to wit min.

12. Fuerunt in utraque observatione in eadem recta, et ambê satis exiguê, prêsertim orientalis in secunda observatione.

12. They were in both observations on the same straight line, and both quite small, especially the eastern in the second observation.

Die 18, hora 1, tres aderant Stellê, quarum duê occidentales, orientalis vero una: distabat orientalis a Iove min. 3, occidentalis

On day 18, at hour 1, three stars were present, of which two were western, but one eastern: the eastern was distant from Jupiter 3 min., the western

proxima m. 2; occidentalior reliqua aberat a media min. 8: omnes fuerunt in eadem recta ad unguem, et eiusdem fere magnitudinis. At, hora 2, Stellê viciniores paribus a Iove aberant interstitiis: occidua enim aberat ipsa quoque min.

the nearest by 2 min.; the more westerly of the rest was distant from the middle by 8 min.: all were in the same straight line exactly, and of nearly the same magnitude. But, at hour 2, the nearer stars were at equal intervals from Jupiter: for the western one too was distant min.

3. Sed, hora 6, quarta Stellula visa est inter orientaliorem et Iovem, in tali configuratione:

3. But, at hour 6, a fourth little star was seen between the more easterly one and Jupiter, in such a configuration:

orientalior distabat a sequenti min. 3, sequens a Iove min. 1, sec.

the more eastern was distant from the following by 3 min., the following from Jupiter by 1 min., sec.

50, Iuppiter ab occidentali sequenti min. 3, hêc vero ab occidentaliori min. 7: erant fere êquales; orientalis tantum Iovi proxima reliquis erat paulo minor: erantque in eadem recta Eclipticê parallela.

50, Jupiter from
the western following one by 3 min., this one, however, from the more western by 7 min.: they were nearly equal;
only the eastern one, nearest to Jupiter, was a little smaller than the rest: and they were in the same straight
line, parallel to the Ecliptic.

Die 19, hora 0, min. 40, Stellê duê solummodo occiduê a Iove

Day 19, hour 0, min. 40, only two stars were to the west of Jupiter

conspectê fuerunt, satis magnê, et in eadem recta cum Iove ad unguem, ac secundum Eclipticê ductum dispositê. Propinquior a Iove distabat min. 7, hêc vero ab occidentaliori min. 6.

they were seen, quite large, and exactly in the same straight line with Jupiter, and arranged along the course of the Ecliptic. The nearer was distant from Jupiter min. 7, and this one from the more westerly min. 6.

Die 20, nubilosum fuit cêlum.

On day 20, the sky was cloudy.

Die 21, hora 1, min. 30, Stellulê tres satis exiguê cernebantur in hac constitutione:

Day 21, hour 1, min. 30, three little stars quite small were discerned in this configuration:

orientalis aberat a Iove min. 2, Iuppiter ab occidentali sequente min. 3, hêc vero ab occidentaliori min.

the eastern was distant from Jove 2 min., Jupiter from the western following 3 min., and this one indeed from the more westerly min.

7: erant ad unguem in eadem recta Eclipticê parallela.

7: they were exactly on the same straight line, parallel to the Ecliptic.

Die 25, hora 1, min. 30 (nam superioribus tribus noctibus cêlum fuit nubibus obductum), tres apparuerunt Stellê:

Day 25, hour 1, min. 30 (for on the previous three nights the sky was overcast with clouds), three Stars appeared:

orientales duê, quarum distantiê inter se et a Iove êquales fuerunt, ac. min. 4; occidentalis una aberat a Iove min. 2: erant in eadem recta ad unguem, secundum Eclipticê ductum.

two eastern ones, whose distances between themselves and from Jupiter were equal, arc. min. 4; one western one was away from Jupiter min. 2: they were in the same straight line to a nicety, according to the Ecliptic’s course.

Die 26, hora 0, min. 30, binê tantum aderant Stellê:

Day 26, hour 0, min. 30, only two Stars were present:

orientalis una, distans a Iove min. 10; occidentalis altera, distans min. 6: orientalis erat aliquanto minor occidentali. Sed hora 5, tres visê sunt Stellê:

one eastern, distant from Jupiter min. 10; the other western, distant min. 6: the eastern was somewhat smaller than the western. But at hour 5, three Stars were seen:

prêter enim duas iam adnotatas, tertia ex occidente prope Iovem, admodum exigua, cernebatur, quê prius sub Iove latitabat, distabatque ab eo min. 1; orientalis vero remotior, quam antea, videbatur, distans nempe a Iove min. 11. Hac nocte primum Iovis et adiacentium planetarum progressum, secundum Zodiaci longitudinem, facta relatione ad fixam quandam, observare placuit: spectabatur enim fixa Stella orientem versus, distans a Planeta orientali min.

for besides the two already noted, a third from the west near Jupiter, very small, was discerned, which previously was hiding under Jupiter, and it was distant from him min. 1; the oriental one indeed appeared more remote than before, namely distant from Jupiter min. 11. On this night for the first time the progress of Jupiter and of the adjacent planets, according to the longitude of the Zodiac, with a reference made to a certain fixed [star], it pleased to observe: for a fixed Star was being watched toward the east, distant from the oriental Planet by min.

11, et paululum in austrum deflectebat, in hunc qui sequitur modum:

11, and it deflected a little toward the south, in the following manner:

Die 27, hora 1, min. 4, apparebant Stellê in tali configuratione:

Day 27, hour 1, min. 4, the Stars appeared in such a configuration:

orientalior distabat a Iove min. 10, sequens, Iovi proxima, min. 0, sec.

the more oriental was distant from Jupiter 10 min., the following, proximate to Jupiter, 0 min., sec.

30; occidentalis sequens aberat min. 2, sec. 30; ab hac occidentalior distabat min.

30; the following occidental was distant by min. 2, sec. 30; from this the more occidental was distant min.

1. Viciniores Iovi exiguê apparebant, prêsertim orientalis; extremê vero erant admodum conspicuê, in primis vero occidua; rectamque lineam secundum Eclipticê ductum designabant ad unguem. Horum Planetarum progressus versus ortum ex collatione ad praedictam fixam manifeste cernebatur; ipsi enim Iuppiter cum adstantibus Planetis vicinior erat, ut in apposita figura videre licet. Sed hora 5, Stella orientalis Iovi proxima aberat ab eo min.

1.
    Those nearer to Jupiter appeared faintly, especially the eastern; but the outermost were very    conspicuous, above all the western; and they designated a straight line according to the course of the    Ecliptic, to a nicety.
    The progress of these Planets toward the rising was clearly perceived from the comparison to the    aforesaid fixed star; for Jupiter himself was nearer to the adjacent Planets, as can be seen in the    appended figure.
    But at hour 5, the eastern Star nearest to Jupiter was distant from him min.

Die 28, hora 1, duê tantum Stellê videbantur; orientalis, distans a Iove min. 9; occidentalis vero, min. 2: erant satis conspicuê et in eadem recta: ad quam lineam fixa perpendiculariter incidebat in Planetam orientalem, veluti in figura:

On day 28, hour 1, only two stars were seen; the eastern, 9 min. distant from Jupiter; the western indeed, 2 min.: they were quite conspicuous and in the same straight line: upon which line the fixed [star] fell perpendicularly onto the eastern planet, as in the figure:

sed, hora 5, tertia Stellula, ex oriente distans a Iove min. 2, conspecta est in eiusmodi constitutione:

but, at hour 5, a third little star, from the east at a distance of 2 min. from Jupiter, was seen in such a disposition:

Die 1 Martii, hora 0, min. 40, quatuor Stellê orientales omnes conspectê sunt, quarum Iovi proxima aberat ab eo min. 2, sequens ab hac m. 1, tertia m. 0, sec.

On March 1, hour 0, min. 40, the four eastern Stars were all seen, of which the one proximate to Jupiter was distant from him by min. 2, the next from this by m. 1, the third by m. 0, sec.

2, eratque reliquis clarior; ab ista vero distabat orientalior min. 4, et reliquis erat minor. Rectam proxime designabant lineam, nisi quod tertia a Iove paululum attollebatur.

2, and it was brighter than the rest; from that one indeed the more easterly was distant min. 4, and was smaller than the rest. A straight line was almost being delineated, except that the third from Jupiter was raised a little.

Fixa cum Iove et orientaliori trigonum êquilaterum constituebat, ut in figura:

The fixed [star], with Jupiter and the more eastern, was constituting an equilateral triangle, as in the figure:

Die 2, hora 0, min. 40, tres adstabant Planetê, orientales duo, unus vero occiduus, in tali configuratione:

On Day 2, at hour 0, min. 40, three Planets were standing, two oriental, but one occidental, in such a configuration:

Aberat orientalior a Iove min. 7, ab hoc distabat sequens min. 0, sec.

The more easterly was 7 min. from Jupiter; from this, the following was distant 0 min., sec.

30; occidentalis vero elongabatur a Iove min. 2: erant extremi lucidiores ac maiores reliquo, qui admodum exiguus apparebat. Orientalior a recta linea, per reliquos et Iovem ducta, paululum in boream videbatur elatus.

30; the occidental however was elongated from Jupiter by 2 min.: the extreme ones were more luminous and larger than the remaining one, which very small appeared. The oriental one from the straight line, drawn through the others and Jupiter, a little toward the north seemed raised.

Fixa iam adnotata ab occidentali Planeta min. 8 distabat, secundum perpendicularem ab ipso Planeta ductam super lineam rectam per Planetas omnes extensam; veluti apposita figura demonstrat.

The fixed star already noted was distant by 8 min. from the western Planet, according to a perpendicular drawn from the Planet itself onto the straight line extended through all the Planets, as the appended figure demonstrates.

Hasce Iovis et adiacentium Planetarum ad Fixam collationes apponere placuit, ut ex illis eorundem Planetarum progressus, tum secundum longitudinem, tum etiam secundum latitudinem, cum motibus, qui ex tabulis hauriuntur, ad unguem congruere, quilibet intelligere possit.

It has pleased me to append these comparisons of Jupiter and the adjacent Planets to the Fixed [star], so that from them anyone may be able to understand that the progressions of the same Planets, both according to longitude and also according to latitude, agree to the nail, exactly, with the motions which are drawn from the tables.

Hê sunt observationes quatuor Mediceorum Planetarum, recens ac primo a me repertorum, ex quibus, quamvis illorum periodos numeris colligere nondum detur, licet saltem quêdam animadversione digna pronunciare. Ac primo, cum Iovem consimilibus interstitiis modo consequantur, modo prêeant, ab eoque tum versus ortum, tum in occasum angustissimis tantum divaricationibus elongentur, eundemque retrogradum pariter atque directum concomitentur, quin circa illum suas conficiant conversiones, interea dum circa mundi centrum omnes una duodecennales periodos absolvunt, nemini dubium esse potest. Convertuntur insuper in circulis inêqualibus: quod manifeste colligitur ex eo, quia in maioribus a Iove digressionibus nunquam binos Planetas iunctos videre licuit; cum tamen prope Iovem duo, tres et interdum omnes simul constipati reperti sint.

These are the observations of the four Medicean Planets, recently and for the first time discovered by me, from which, although it is not yet granted to collect their periods by numbers, it is at least permitted to pronounce certain things worthy of observation. And first, since they sometimes follow Jupiter at like intervals, sometimes go before, and from him both toward the rising and toward the setting they are elongated only by the narrowest divergences, and accompany the same retrograde equally as direct, indeed that they complete their own revolutions around him, while meanwhile all together they accomplish twelve-year periods about the center of the world, can be doubtful to no one. They are moreover turned in unequal circles: which is plainly gathered from this, that in greater digressions from Jupiter it was never permitted to see two Planets joined; whereas near Jupiter two, three, and sometimes all at once have been found crowded together.

Deprêhenditur insuper, velociores esse conversiones Planetarum angustiores circa Iovem circulos describentium: propinquiores enim Iovi Stellê sêpius spectantur orientales, cum pridie ex occasu apparuerint, et e contra: at Planeta, maximum permeans orbem, accurate prêadnotatas reversiones perpendenti, restitutiones semimenstruas habere videtur. Eximium prêterea prêclarumque habemus argumentum pro scrupulo ab illis demendo, qui in Systemate Copernicano conversionem Planetarum circa Solem êquo animo ferentes, adeo perturbantur ab unius Lunê circa Terram latione, interea dum ambo annuum orbem circa Solem absolvunt, ut hanc universi constitutionem, tanquam impossibilem, evertendam esse arbitrentur: nunc enim, nedum Planetam unum circa alium convertibilem habemus, dum ambo magnum circa Solem perlustrant orbem, verum quatuor circa Iovem, instar Lunê circa Tellurem, sensus nobis vagantes offert Stellas, dum omnes simul cum Iove, 12 annorum spatio, magnum circa Solem permeant orbem. Prêtereundum tandem non est, quanam ratione contingat, ut Medicea Sidera, dum angustissimas circa Iovem rotationes absolvunt, semetipsis interdum plusquam duplo maiora videantur.

It is furthermore apprehended that the revolutions are swifter for the Planets that describe the narrower circles around Jupiter: for the Stars nearer to Jupiter are more often observed eastern, when the day before they had appeared from the west, and conversely; but the Planet that traverses the greatest orbit, to one weighing the accurately pre-noted reversions, seems to have semimonthly restitutions. Moreover, we have an excellent and most clear argument for removing the scruple of those who, while bearing with equanimity in the Copernican System the conversion of the Planets around the Sun, are nevertheless so perturbed by the carrying of a single Moon around the Earth, while both complete the annual orbit around the Sun, that they judge this constitution of the universe, as impossible, to be overturned: for now, not only do we have one Planet convertible around another while both survey the great orbit around the Sun, but our senses present to us four Stars around Jupiter, in the likeness of the Moon around the Earth, while all together with Jupiter, in the space of 12 years, they pass through the great orbit around the Sun. Finally, it must not be passed over by what reasoning it happens that the Medicean Stars, while they complete their most narrow rotations around Jupiter, sometimes appear more than double their own size.

Causam in vaporibus terrenis minime quêrere possumus; apparent enim aucta, seu minuta, dum Iovis et propinquarum fixarum moles nil immutatê cernuntur. Accedere autem illos, adeoque a terra elongari, circa suê conversionis perigêum, aut apogêum, ut tantê mutationis causam nanciscantur, omnino inopinabile videtur: nam arcta circularis latio id nulla ratione prêstare valet; ovalis vero motus (qui in hoc casu rectus fere esset) et inopinabilis, et iis quê apparent nulla ratione consonus, esse videtur. Quod hac in re succurrit, lubens profero, ac recte philosophantium iudicio censurêque exhibeo.

We can by no means seek the cause in terrestrial vapors; for they appear increased, or diminished, while the bulk of Jupiter and of the neighboring fixed stars is seen unchanged. But that they approach, and thus are removed from the earth, around the perigee or apogee of their revolution, so as to obtain a cause of so great a change, seems altogether unlikely: for a narrow circular motion is in no way able to accomplish this; but an oval motion (which in this case would be almost rectilinear) seems both unexpected and in no way consonant with the things that appear. What occurs to me in this matter I gladly set forth, and I submit it to the judgment and censure of those who philosophize rightly.

Constat, terrestrium vaporum obiectu Solem Lunamque maiores, sed fixas atque Planetas minores, apparere: hinc Luminaria prope horizontem maiora, Stellê vero, minores ac plerunque inconspicuê, imminuuntur etiam magis, si iidem vapores lumine fuerint perfusi; idcirco Stellê interdiu ac intra crepuscula admodum exiles apparent; Luna non item, ut supra quoque monuimus. Constat insuper, non modo Tellurem, sed etiam Lunam, suum habere vaporosum orbem circumfusum, tum ex his quê supra diximus, tum maxime ex iis, quê fusius in nostro Systemate dicentur: at idem quoque de reliquis Planetis ferre iudicium congrue possumus; adeo ut etiam circa Iovem densiorem reliquo êthere ponere orbem, inopinabile minime videatur; circa quem, instar Lunê circa elementorum sphêram, Planetê MEDICEI circumducantur, atque huius orbis obiectu, dum apogêi fuerint, minores, dum vero perigêi, per eiusdem orbis ablationem, seu attenuationem, maiores, appareant. Ulterius progredi temporis angustia inhibet; plura de his brevi candidus Lector expectet.

It is established that, by the interposition of terrestrial vapors, the Sun and the Moon appear greater, but the fixed stars and the Planets smaller: hence the Luminaries near the horizon are larger, but the Stars, smaller and for the most part inconspicuous, are diminished even more if those same vapors have been suffused with light; therefore the Stars by day and within twilight appear very slender; not so the Moon, as we also warned above. It is established besides that not only the Earth, but also the Moon, has its own vaporous orb poured around it, both from those things which we have said above, and most of all from those which will be said more fully in our System: and we can suitably judge the same also of the remaining Planets; so that even around Jupiter it may seem by no means unlikely to posit an orb denser than the rest of the ether; around which, after the manner of the Moon around the sphere of the elements, the MEDICEAN Planets are carried, and by the interposition of this orb, when they shall have been at apogee, they appear smaller, but when at perigee, through the removal, or attenuation, of the same orb, they appear greater. Further advance is inhibited by the straitness of time; let the candid Reader expect more on these things shortly.