Page 105
CHAP. III. How to Calculate the Sun's true place.
THis Proposition is propounded, in the first place, because many others depend upon it; According to the Hypothesis of Ticho, it is to be sug∣gested, and there is ascribed to the Sun a Triple Motion; first, a Mo∣tion upon his own Centre, whereby he finisheth one Revolution in 26 Days.
2. A daily motion from the East into the West, whereby he causeth the Day and Night.
3. An opposite Motion from the West into the East, called the Annual Motion, whereby he runs once round in a Year through the whole Ecliptick, moving near a degree in a Day; and thereby causeth the several Seasons of the Year.
The two later Motions are fancied out unto us, by a Man turning a Crane-Wheel, or Grind-stone 365 times round, while a Worm struggling against, and contrary to that Motion, creeps once round the contrary way, but Obliquely and a slope; that is, from the further side of the Wheel, towards the hithermost; and by this Motion the Sun is supposed to describe the Ecliptick-Line, and continually to insist in this Course; the other Planets, except the Moon, moving round him, or following after him, like Birds flying in the Air, being subject to his Motions, and many of their own besides; many of which Motions are removed by the Copernican supposition of the Earths Mo∣tion, which is a subject of much controversy among the Learned; However, be it ei∣ther the one, or the other, the Propositions hereafter Resolved, vary not, by reason thereof: And so the Sun being supposed not to vary from under the Ecliptick in re∣spect of Latitude; the Proposition and Quaere, in effect is what Longitude he hath therein, from the nearest Equinoctial-Point, which may be found within a Degree for his Course in each day, from his Entrance into each Sign, from that day of the Month.
- ♈ Aries, March 10.
- ♉ Taurus, April 9.
- ♊ Gemini, May 11.
- ♋ Cancer, June 12.
- ♌ Leo, July 13.
- ♍ Virgo, August 13.
- ♎ Libra, September 13.
- ♏ Scorpio, October 13.
- ♐ Sagitarius, November 11.
- ♑ Capricornus, Decem. 11.
- ♒ Aquarius, January 9.
- ♓ Pisces, February 8.
1. If the number of the Day of the Month given, exceed the number of that Day, in which the Sun enters into any Sign; Substract the lesser Number from the greater, and the Remainer is the Degree of the Sign, that the Sun possesseth.