The System of Saturn

sent; original: "mitti;" — This continues the thought from the previous page regarding the "contemplation to such distant parts of nature." which, although they appear obscure and faint to the sight, are in reality illustrious and by far the greatest. For if we were to think that they concern us little simply because they are far away, we would surely be unworthy of a mind that possesses reason, by which we easily transcend the immense spaces of the sky. We would be unworthy, too, of that excellent and never sufficiently praised invention for extending vision original: "propagandæ viſionis invento" — A reference to the telescope, which was still a relatively new and transformative instrument in 1659., by which we reach the region of the stars with the very sense of our own eyes.

By the benefit of this invention, I have now approached the distant realms of Saturn original: "Saturni regna" more closely than anyone before me, and I have advanced so far that only one hundredth part of such a vast journey remained. If only I could have overcome that remaining distance by some means, good gods, what things and what kind of things I would have to tell! But for now, I write of those things which I was able to observe with my eyes from this distance original: "ex intervallo iſto" — referring to the vast gap between Earth and Saturn., and which no one will deny are themselves wondrous and most worthy of being told. For whom does it not [inspire with admiration...] The text cuts off here; the catchword "miratio" indicates the next page begins with a word related to "admiration" or "wonder."