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Story
October 2, 1850
Washington Telegraph
Washington, Hempstead County, Arkansas
What is this article about?
Lord Rosse's massive reflecting telescope at Parsonstown Castle, Ireland, has discovered mountains in Saturn's ring and resolved previously irresolvable nebulae into clusters of stars, revealing the grandeur of God's creation. Operational since late last year, it surpasses Herschel's instrument.
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Full Text
Discoveries Made By Lord Rosse's Telescope—One of the greatest wonders of the modern times is Lord Rosse's great reflecting telescope located at Parsonstown Castle, Ireland, undoubtedly the largest telescope ever constructed. This wonderful instrument is fifty feet long, six feet in diameter, and weighs about 12 tons, but it is capable of being moved by machinery attached to it with the greatest ease. It has a reflecting surface of 4153 square inches, being 2580 more than the great reflector of Dr. Herschel.
By this instrument, it appears, mountains have been lately discovered in its ring of Saturn. The irresolvable nebula, which before were supposed to consist of matter in a higher state of rarefaction, now appear to perform a more magnificent part in the works of creation, though it had long been suspected that they might be resolved into stars, if we had telescopes of sufficient power.
About the close of last year, the Earl of Rosse succeeded in getting his great telescope into complete operation, and during the first month of his observation on one of the unresolved nebulae, he succeeded in ascertaining that 43 of them were resolvable into masses of stars. It ought to be understood that though this great telescope has been erected nearly two years, it has not been in complete operation more than six or seven months and already the nebulae not before fully examined, have been discovered to be a collection of suns.
Nothing made in vain; God's creation a universe of wonders! The little nebulae are not floating mists, or mere fields of highly rarefied matter, but glorious suns so remote and withal so situated relative to our eye that we catch only dim and confused glances of their straggling rays. What power of penetrating space must those rays have that they should reach us at all.
Among the wonders pertaining to this subject is thus, that we should be able to see any thing about worlds so immensely distant. How curiously are we imprisoned in the deep vaults of almost boundless space! We can look away off from our little planet, that is all. We are fixed here, yet we can see enough to show us that it will be a luxury to traverse the fields of God's kingdom, and talk with suns and moons, and rings, and nebulae, face to face. We shall one day have range and scope for the study of God through his works.—Maul. Courier.
By this instrument, it appears, mountains have been lately discovered in its ring of Saturn. The irresolvable nebula, which before were supposed to consist of matter in a higher state of rarefaction, now appear to perform a more magnificent part in the works of creation, though it had long been suspected that they might be resolved into stars, if we had telescopes of sufficient power.
About the close of last year, the Earl of Rosse succeeded in getting his great telescope into complete operation, and during the first month of his observation on one of the unresolved nebulae, he succeeded in ascertaining that 43 of them were resolvable into masses of stars. It ought to be understood that though this great telescope has been erected nearly two years, it has not been in complete operation more than six or seven months and already the nebulae not before fully examined, have been discovered to be a collection of suns.
Nothing made in vain; God's creation a universe of wonders! The little nebulae are not floating mists, or mere fields of highly rarefied matter, but glorious suns so remote and withal so situated relative to our eye that we catch only dim and confused glances of their straggling rays. What power of penetrating space must those rays have that they should reach us at all.
Among the wonders pertaining to this subject is thus, that we should be able to see any thing about worlds so immensely distant. How curiously are we imprisoned in the deep vaults of almost boundless space! We can look away off from our little planet, that is all. We are fixed here, yet we can see enough to show us that it will be a luxury to traverse the fields of God's kingdom, and talk with suns and moons, and rings, and nebulae, face to face. We shall one day have range and scope for the study of God through his works.—Maul. Courier.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Providence Divine
Exploration
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Telescope
Lord Rosse
Saturn Ring
Nebulae
Stars
Astronomical Discovery
Divine Creation
What entities or persons were involved?
Lord Rosse
Earl Of Rosse
Dr. Herschel
Where did it happen?
Parsonstown Castle, Ireland
Story Details
Key Persons
Lord Rosse
Earl Of Rosse
Dr. Herschel
Location
Parsonstown Castle, Ireland
Event Date
Close Of Last Year
Story Details
Lord Rosse's giant telescope discovers mountains in Saturn's ring and resolves 43 nebulae into star clusters, demonstrating the divine wonders of creation and humanity's limited yet awe-inspiring view of the universe.