The Earth's Annual Revolution Round the Sun

This astronomical diagram illustrates the mechanism causing the Earth's seasons as it makes its yearly passage around the Sun, showing its position on the first of every month and its Diurnal rotation on its axis. The annual revolution of the earth round the sun occupies a period of 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 49.7 seconds, yet with an average day length of 24 hours.

Transparent Chart of the Heavens

Showing, for the Latitude of Great Britain, the stars visible on any night throughout the year. The chart is accompanied by instructions on how to use it, with the months of the year running around the edge of the diagram and several illustrations of observable objects of astronomical interest, to include Nebulae, Comets and Pleiades. The irregular white streak running roughly across the centre of the map represents the Milky Way.

Transparent Solar System

Displaying the planets with their orbits, as known at the present day, derived from the latest and best authorities [circa 1850]. The diagram shows the orbits of 7/8 planets around the sun, Neptune is not illustrated on account of the great distance of its orbit. Also illustrated are the Asteroids Iris, Flora, Juno, Pallas, Ceres, Vesta, Astrea, Hebe and Halleys Comet which all move in very eccentric orbits.

Comparative Magnitudes of the Planets

Illustrated on this colour diagram are the comparative sizes of the planets, the sun is not illustrated but on the same scale its diameter would be 2 feet four inches. Also illustrated are the planets relative distances from the sun.

The Sun and Solar Phenomena

Showing the sun and sun spots, with notes and vignettes showing summer and winter rays, the comparative size of the sun as seen from the various planets, the transit of Mercury, the Sun at midnight and an annular eclipse.

Telescopic Appearance of the Moon

This chart identifies prominent features on the surface of our nearest neighbour in space. Like all the other planetary bodies in the Solar System, the Moon has been subjected to a continuous bombardment from space by meteorites and asteroids of various sizes, owing to its lack of atmosphere to protect it from meteorites. The darker areas, known as maria (seas), are basins created by huge impacts, which then flooded with molten lava. They are more recent features than the lighter coloured heavily cratered highlands of the Moon. “The general appearance however, was one vast ruin of nature” Lord Rosse.

Transparent Diagram of the Phases of the Moon

An astronomical diagram showing the phases of the Moon as it orbits the Earth. The appearance of the Moon when viewed from Earth is dependent on the relative positions of the Moon, the Earth and the Sun. When the Moon is directly between the Sun and Earth, its illuminated side is invisible to us and the Moon cannot be seen from Earth. This phase is known as the New Moon. As more of the illuminated surface of the Moon becomes visible it is said to be waxing, and just under 15 days after the New Moon, it is directly opposite the Sun and is seen as the Full Moon. It then wanes, with progressively less of its surface visible until, after 29.5 days, the cycle is complete and it disappears, becoming a New Moon again.

Eclipses and the Theory of the Tides

A diagram showing how eclipses take place, and how tides are caused by the influence of the gravity of the Sun and the Moon upon the Earth’s seas and oceans. Both lunar and solar eclipses are illustrated, as are the alignments of the Sun and Moon relative to the Earth that give rise to neap and spring tides.

The Theory of the Seasons and Signs of the Zodiac

A diagram showing the phases of the Earth as it moves through the different signs of the zodiac during the course of a year. It also illustrates how the amount of daylight at various locations on Earth varies with the seasons due to the Earth’s axis being tilted at an angle with respect to the ecliptic, the plane of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun and hence the position of the earth relative to the sun for the Equinox and Solstice and their corresponding dates in the calendar.

The Earth and its Atmosphere

A cross section of the Earth at the equator, diameter 24,912 miles, and the surrounding atmosphere, upto 45 miles. Various locations on the Earth’s surface are identified to include volcanoes and landmarks such as the Galapagos Islands. Also illustrated the phenomenon of refraction as can be caused by the atmosphere.

Comets & Aerolites

An illustrated description of Comets – light vapory bodies generally consisting of a splendid, but ill-defined cloudy mass of light called the head from which a long stream of light termed the tail diverges – with illustration to show their form, their orbit around the sun and earth and the orientation of their tail. With illustrations to show the two most brilliant displays of Aerolites on record – Aerolites are small bodies moving in space which are occasionally met with and attracted by the earth, their luminous appearance is owing to their becoming ignited by their great velocity and the compression of air.

Diagram of Natural Phenomena

This is a geological diagram showing the principal causes of geological changes on the Earth's surface, illustrated are climatic variations in clouds, precipitation, the seas and dramatic effects such as the Aurora Borelalis and Pharhilia, or Mock Suns; identified by a key beneath the illustration, to the rear of this card is a full description of metrological phenomena.