The longitude not found, or, An answer to a treatise written by Henry Bond, Senior, shewing a way to find the longitude by the magnetical inclinatory needle wherein is proved that the longitude is not, nor cannot be found by the magnetical inclinatory needle / by Peter Blackborrow, Gent.

To prove the Earth the Centure of the Star∣ry Heaven, and not to have any Inclinati∣on towards the Poles, as Copernicus would have it.

THe Earth by observation keeps its Parallels with the Starry Heaven all the year, with∣out alteration; for by observation, that Star that is in the Equinoctial part of the Heaven, is always in the Equinoctial part of the Earth; so like∣wise, take all the Stars in their s everal Parallels to the Poles from the Equinoctial, and you will find they keep their Parallels with the Earth for ever.

We need not go to the Equinoctial part of the

Earth, to prove the Earth to keep her Parallels with the Equinoctial part of the Starry Heaven: For, observe in this Parallel or Latitude of London 51 d. 30 m. the Amplitude of any Star in the E∣quinoctial, either upon his Rising or Setting, and you shal find his Amplitude to be East or West of you for ever, in this Parallel or any other.

Likewise observe the Meridian Altitude of any Star in the Equinoctial, in this Parallel or Latitude 51 d. 30 m. and you shall find his Meridian Alti∣tude to be the Elevation of the Equinoctial for ever, in this Parallel or Latitude.

And by daily observations we find the Sun to alter his Amplitude, and Meridian Altitudes, and Parallels with the Starry Heaven and Earth. And we find the Starry Heaven to keep his Parallels with the Earth always, in regard the Stars keep their Meridian Altitudes and Amplitudes with the Earth, without alteration.

But if we should admit the Sun the Center of the Starry Heaven, and the Earth should have her Declination towards her Poles; then the Sun must be always in the Equinoctial part of the Starry Heaven; and the Sun must have the same Ampli∣tudes, and Meridian Altitudes, with the Stars in the Equinoctial, in all Parallels: And then the Sun, and all the Stars in Heaven, should have a daily Calculation of the Declination of the Earth, as the Earth shall alter her Parallels, by Inclining or Declining towards her Poles.

But it is proved by observation, that the Sun doth not keep his Parallels with the Starry Heaven, therefore the Sun cannot be the Center of the Star∣ry

[illustration] geometrical diagram

Heaven; in regard the Sun is not always in the Equinoctial part of that Heaven, and the Sun hath not the same Meridian Altitude, and Amplitude, and Parallel, with the Starry Heaven in the Equi∣noctial, but twice in the year, and that is as the Sun Inclines and Declines from one Tropick to another.

And it is proved by observation, that the Equi∣noctial part of the Starry Heaven is always in the Equinoctial part of the Earth, for the Meridian Altitude of the Stars in the Equinoctial, is the Ele∣vation of the Equinoctial in all Parallels. Now there is a necessity, that the Declination of the Sun should be Calculated for every day in the year, in regard of his Declination towards his Pole, 23 d. 30 m. which is the cause the Sun alters his Parallels and Amplitudes, and Meridian Altitudes, every day.

But for the Starry Heaven, its Declination or Distance from the Equinoctial is the same for ever, and keeps it Parallels with the Earth.