EXTRAORDINARY PHENOMENA.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 61, 6 May 1843, Page 243

EXTRAORDINARY PHENOMENA.

[From the New York Aurora, Nov. 21.] - In the Lynn Locomotive, we find the following extract of a letter from an eminent astro* nomer connected with Yale College, at New Haven, to a scientific gentleman in Lynn. It will be found highly interesting to men of science, detailing some most astonishing changes in the great machinery of nature. It may be that these operations will strengthen the belief of those who give (credence to the doctrines of Miller, in relation to the speedy winding up of the affairs of this world. Nevertheless, they are facts, and, as such, worthy the attention of our wise and learned men. « • • • There is certainly some extraordinary change going on in the solar system. Whether the result will be a speedy dissolution of the present harmonious arrangement, is, of course, known only to Him who instituted the laws which govorn the courses of the stars. For some time my attention has been directed to the rapidly developing phenomena, and I have been assisted in my observations by gentlemen eminent for their scientific attainments; and, within a fevr days, I had placed in my hands a paper from the celebrated astronomer Hanff, of Berlin, detailing his own discoveries, and indicating that the subject is beginning to excite intense interest among the scientific in Europe. " It is evident that the inclination of the earth's axis with the ecliptic is changing. There is now a nearer approach to a coincidence of equator and ecliptic than has ever before been known. Since the autumnal equinox, the obliquity in the earth's course has sensibly diminished, and, if no counteracting influence intervenes, there will soon be a perceptible change in the seasons, and in the relative length of day and night. " The change is so great already, that many intricate calculations for the present year will be found inaccurate. Some of the important calculations of the Nautical Almanac will be soon found perplexing to the mariner as he takes his observations ; and some of those heretofore highly useful tables in the American Almanac, founded on the bearings of some of the fixed stars as well as planets, will prove entirely unsafe, if the progress of the change continues. An experienced and intelligent shipmaster, a day or two since, casually observed to me that, on a recent voyage from the East Indiesj when he had sailed about six degrees to the north of the equator — the region from which the north star is usually first seen after crossing the line, the haze rendering it invisible while nearer the horizon — he was astonished and perplexed in his observations. The unusual variation of his chronometer from the time indicated by stellar observation led him to doubt the accuracy of his former faithful guide. " Should these changes continue, a variation in the altitude of the north star will soon be apparent to the most casual observer. At those points of time, April 15, June 15, August 23, and December 24, when all true time-keepers should agree with the sun, the chronometer will be found essentially varying-: and many other very important results will be developed. An attentive and accurate observer in the high latitudes, even at the next solstice, cannot fail to recognise various astonishing phenomena. " But the changes going on in regard to the earth are less remarkable, perhaps, than those which' are affecting some of the other planets. The poles of Venus, to all appearance, are now elevated full thirty-five degrees, and she seems to be changing from her former clear radiance to a colour approaching that of Mars; the change in -this particular, however, is as yet slight, barely perceptible, under close observation, to the naked eye. By the aid of a powerful glass, there may be perceived what appear to be waves of fire rolling over her disc This appearance I have watched with much interest; it commenced some months since, On the southern limb, and gradually advanced over the whole breadth, till the planet was completely enveloped. The motion of this planet in her orbit, too, seems to be retarded, as though she were under the influence "of some new* power of attraction. "Herscbel has the appearance of having greatly diminished in size, and has failed to reach a given point of its orbit at the usual time, and, in short, seems to have broken the bonds which, bave connected it to the solar system, and commenced its course as a member of some remote celestial retinue. " Saturn, also, is assuming an unwonted aspect. To all appearance, there is a mighty conflagration going on in the hitherto dark line which divides her rings. To such an extent has it already attained, that in one or two places the whole breadth has assumed the appearance of ragged ranges, glowing as if they were red hot iron, and throwing a lurid reflection upon the adjacent portions of the ring. " The changes seem also to extend beyond our Bystem. The beautiful Btar Betelgnese, in the constellation Orion, has varied to such au extent from the vernal to the autumnal equinox of the present year, that its distance may be ascertained. It seems to be approaching the solar bounds." [We give Insertion to the above extraordinary article, and leave our readers to believe as much of it as they please. — Ed.]

Steam Votagb through France to thb Mediterranean. — The following extract from a Leghorn letter, has appearedinthe London Times: — "Yesterday three steamers arrived here. They came from England, and made their voyage through France, for they first ascended the Seine, and then passed by the way of the canals into the Mediterranean. This is the first voyage of the kind that ever was made." (The first steam-boat voyage, no doubt, but according to Strabo, it was the earliest navigable route from England to Marseilles.