Abstract
THE RESIDUALS OF MERCURY.—In a recent discussion of the perturbations of Mercury (Astronomical Journal, No. 191, April 15, 1889), Mr. O. T. Sherman has arrived at some important and highly suggestive results relating to the residuals. His method of determining these appeared in No. 173 of the Astronomical Journal, and this process has been employed in obtaining the data given in the article referred to. The values arrived at show a remarkable relation to the heliocentric latitude of the planet, the maximum effect being nearer the solar equator, and the effect decreasing as the latitude increases. Since the lower latitudes correspond to maximum and the higher ones to minimum solar activity, the apparent connection of the disturbances of the planet with solar phenomena should also bear some relation to the sun-spot period, and Mr. Sherman gives figures to show that this is the case. The chief disturbances occur in the years when the sun-spots are increasing in frequency, and it is pointed out that this result is in strict accordance with the retardations of Encke's Comet during perihelion passage.
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Our Astronomical Column. Nature 40, 63–64 (1889). https://doi.org/10.1038/040063a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/040063a0