Note 86 — CHAP. XX. Of the fixed Stars.

M. Maupertuis, in his dissertation on the figures of the Celestial Bodies (p. 61-63) is of opinion that some Stars, by their prodigious quick rotations on their Axes, may not only assume the figures of oblate spheroids, but that by the great centrifugal force, arising from such rotations, they may become of the figures of mill-stones; or be reduced to flat circular planes, so thin as to be quite invisible when their edges are turned towards us; as Saturn’s Ring is in such positions. But when very excentric Planets or Comets go round any flat Star, in Orbits much inclined to it’s Equator, the attraction of the Planets or Comets in their perihelions must alter the inclination of the Star; on which account it will appear more or less large and luminous as it’s broad side is more or less turned towards us. And thus he imagines we may account for the apparent changes of magnitude and lustre in those Stars, and likewise for their appearing and disappearing.