An account of a surprizing meteor, seen in the air, March the 6th, 1715/16, at night. Containing, I. A description of this meteor, from the author's own observations. II. Some historical accounts of the like meteors before; with extracts from such letters, and accounts of this, as the author has receiv'd. III. The principal phænomena of this meteor. IV. Conjectures for their solution. V. Reasons why our solutions are so imperfect. VI. Inferences and observations from the premises / By William Whiston, M. A.

  • Whiston, William, 1667-1752.
Date:
1716
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An account of a surprizing meteor, seen in the air, March the 6th, 1715/16, at night. Containing, I. A description of this meteor, from the author's own observations. II. Some historical accounts of the like meteors before; with extracts from such letters, and accounts of this, as the author has receiv'd. III. The principal phænomena of this meteor. IV. Conjectures for their solution. V. Reasons why our solutions are so imperfect. VI. Inferences and observations from the premises / By William Whiston, M. A. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    19/88 (page 13)
    E *3 ] and exhibit the Appearance of Twylight ?——- Or, May it not rather be faid, with greater Probability, that it is not repugnant to Reafon to fuppofe, that the Globe of the Earth may fometimes be fo difpos’d, that Vapours may be emitted from it all over fome confiderable Part of its Surface ; and they compos’d of thofe Particles, in this proper Pofition, that may be capable of affording fuch a Brightnefs, may ap¬ pear under fuch a Form, and may be mov’d in iiich a manner as we have defcrib’d.? Or do fuch Particles, like the Bononian Stone, or Phofr fborus, imbibe fuch a Light in the day-time, on that Side where they have imbib’d it ; i. e. that looking Southward ? Do they, I fay, turn it the fame way in the Night, and fo become vifible on the fame Side only ? Juft as Vegeta¬ bles tranfplanted affecft to do, when they pro- fper beft in the fame Pofition as to the Hea¬ vens. Which Obfervation of a certain Pofition, is alfo like the Cafe of Iron, that is touch’d with a Loadftone, &c. Tho’ indeed, what Hypothefis foever we frame to our felves of this, or the other Na¬ ture ; it will appear to be very far from af¬ fording us compleat Satisfa&ion. But however we determine as to the Caufe of this Phenomenon, this we may at Jeaft ga¬ ther from the Obfervations ; That we know what to think of the common Stories of Ar¬ mies, and Battels, and Weapons, and Shields, &c. feen in the Air ; and to efteem them as Fa¬ bles ; Even thofe that Pliny mentions, when he fays, The Noife of Weafons, and the Sound of Trumpets have been heard out of the Sky ; as alfo that Armed Forces meeting in the Heavens, were feen in the Eaft, and Weft i and thofe in the Weft were beaten. Juft