Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 095.djvu/266

238 depend, admits of the greatest variety of directions. We are only acquainted with the plane in which the motion must be performed, and with the length of the arch in seconds by which that motion may be measured. We may add that the chords of the arches representing the three motions are the smallest velocities of these motions that can be admitted; for in every other direction but at right angles to the line of sight, the actual space over which the star will move must be greater than the arch or chord by which its motion is represented.

Now, since a motion of the sun will occasion parallactic motions of the stars, it follows that these again must indicate a solar motion; but in order to ascertain whether parallactic motions exist, we ought to examine those stars which are most liable to be visibly affected by solar motion. This requisite points out the brightest stars as the most proper for our purpose; for any star may have a great real motion, but in order to have a great parallactic one, it must be in the neighbourhood of the sun. And as we can only judge of the distance of the stars by their splendour we ought to choose the brightest, on account of a probability that, being nearer than faint ones, they may be more within the reach of parallax, and thus better qualified to show its effects.

We are also to look out for a criterion whereby parallactic may be distinguished from real motions; and this we find in their directions. For if a solar motion exists, all parallactic motions will tend to a point in opposition to the direction of that motion; whereas real motions will be dispersed indiscriminately to all parts of space.

With these distinctions in view, we may examine the proper motions of the principal stars; for these, if the sun is not at