On the Apparent Magnitude of the Sun

On Apparent Magnitude

...as long as they were free. Even though they are entangled in the embraces of bodies, they constantly strive to eventually produce a release. This release happens more quickly when the structure formed from them is more spiritual original: "spirituosior." In 17th century physics, this refers to matter that is lighter, more active, or more vaporous in nature. in quality. Therefore, so that we do not wander too far, it will be permitted, or rather it will be better, to assume the matter in this place. This is especially true since the opinion of the Peripatetics Followers of Aristotle's philosophy. Gassendi often contrasts his atomist views with their traditional scholastic teachings. also assumes this. They take for granted, rather than proving, the spontaneous creation and the speed of images original: "specierum." These are the "intentional species" or visual forms that traditional philosophy claimed were transmitted from an object to the eye..

They teach accordingly that images are snatched away and fly off more easily because the atoms from which they are woven are extremely mobile. Those atoms that occur on the surface of a body always depart and go away with no difficulty. This happens continuously. As one atom departs, another takes its place in the same moment. Should I also add that light continuously stirs original: "sollicitare," meaning to move, stir, or agitate. those surface atoms?

Indeed, light is stained not only by the colors it passes through, but also by those colors which it touches only on the surface and by bouncing off. This is clearly shown by opaque objects and mirrors, upon which rays are struck, whether they are transmitted or reflected.

And perhaps they will argue that this stirring by light is not necessary. They do not deny that images fly off from bodies even when they are placed in the thickest darkness. However, it is at least admitted that images are useless for vision unless they come from an illuminated body and are thus joined with light. From this it follows that an eye remaining in darkness can see things placed far away in the light. However, an eye existing in the light cannot see things placed in darkness. Therefore, it will not lack credibility if someone wishes to defend the idea that images are not emitted from bodies unless light...