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Advancing Diversity,
Inclusion, and Social
Justice Through Human
Systems Engineering
Advancing Diversity,
Inclusion, and Social
Justice Through Human
Systems Engineering
Edited by
Rod D. Roscoe, Erin K. Chiou, and
Abigail R. Wooldridge
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487–2742
© 2020 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business
No claim to original U.S. Government works
Printed on acid-free paper
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v
vi Contents
Chapter 8 All Are Welcome but Terms and Conditions Apply������������������������ 109
Audrey Reinert
ix
x Foreword
first to tie these exclusionary practices to the concept of social justice. When it was
over, I stood up from the back of the room and I cheered loudly. They hit a nerve.
To be our best as human systems engineers (inclusively defined), we need to
embrace diversity and inclusion as underlying principles in everything we do. It is
not about a moral conscience, although that too is important. It is about practicing
rigorous, valid, and innovative human systems engineering from the beginning to
the end of the line of inquiry, while also demonstrating that we respect life and qual-
ity of life, regardless of differences.
While commonality is an important relational motivator, diversity is also impor-
tant. Designing for sameness has led to many, many problems and has set us back
centuries in terms of equity, fairness, and social justice. We have contributed to
disparities, privileged the over-privileged, and further disenfranchised those already
struggling for equity and social justice. We have thrown out the outliers without
thinking about who they are, and we still do not question published studies whose
demographics are either unreported, under-reported or under-representative of the
intended users. We still use theories from engineering and the social sciences built
on tests and measurements based on middle-to-upper class White undergraduate
students. These individuals differ significantly from the majority of the populations
around the world, yet these theories are used to explain, analyze, and even diagnose
everyone else. We have averaged and designed for a central range to the exclusion
of others who deserve consideration, especially because they are not in the central
range. We have imposed linear models on non-linear life circumstances, and we have
transformed quantized human data to force a structure that fits our own ways of see-
ing the world—through the eyes of sameness.
It is time to reckon with these shortcomings. The damage of exclusionary prac-
tices cannot be reversed, but we can stop the cycle and advance our profession
toward rigorous, people-centered, competent approaches that clearly comprise
diversity, inclusion, and social justice as underlying frames. This book is about
deconstructing our mindsets and our knowledge cultures. This book challenges us
to reconstruct our mindsets to be much more effective by embracing the courage to
question what we have been taught and re-examine how we practice what should
be a discipline that truly understands what it really means to design for people.
This book also sends a message to the gatekeepers whose primary purpose is to
perpetuate models of privilege and sameness, often to the detriment of users around
the world. The world looks to us to demonstrate and apply our intellect to enhance
quality of life for all.
Many chapters include narratives from contributors who have both lived experi-
ences and scholarly experiences that guide their decisions about how to integrate
diversity, inclusion, and social justice into their work. It is intriguing to read the rea-
soning given for each case, scenario, project, or approach. From all over the United
States to Colombia to South Africa and other places, these authors capture best prac-
tices and lessons learned. Contributors make clear distinctions between using our
science and engineering for social justice and not just for the vague concept of social
good. Social justice lenses in research often set in motion research actions that are
impactful in ways that advance society more equitably; social good fails to challenge
the status quo.
Foreword xi
The contributors are versed in linguistic framing. Problems are not defined from a
social deficit perspective. When writing about those who have traditionally been left
out of research, the framing communicates a belief that these users or groups bring
value to the world and can teach us something. As a consequence, it is imperative to
find ways to teach and train future professionals to develop intellectual skills around
diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Of particular interest is the choice of which
users or groups to highlight. This book does not simply focus on the usual attri-
butes that continue to steer privilege or marginalization, but also includes the oft-
overlooked diversity and inclusion practices around LGBTQ users and professionals,
intersectional diversity, physical environments, and even disciplinary cultures.
Flashback to HFES 2018, having listened to Drs. Roscoe, Chiou, and Wooldridge,
I wondered why such new scholars in the field embraced such bold ideas so early
in their careers. In my mind as a professor, higher education administrator, and a
program director at a federal agency providing funding to advance knowledge, this
was wonderful! The energy of these three scholars and their absolute commitment to
bringing together scholars from around the world to advance our knowledge domain
gave me high hopes for the profession I love so dearly.
I asked each of the editors to tell me why diversity, inclusion, and social jus-
tice in human systems engineering was so important to them. There was a common
theme of concern around the disconnection between social justice challenges and
the discourse in our knowledge domain, and this connection needed to be estab-
lished. For Dr. Roscoe, this book journey is an opportunity “to bridge my social jus-
tice advocacy and my academic research agenda.” For Dr. Chiou, the book journey
allowed her to reconcile her “personal and professional communities I am in and
have been a part of; because of all that was done for me to feel included or excluded.”
Dr. Wooldridge reflected on how our limited application of systems perspectives led
to the neglect of diversity, inclusion, and social justice factors, which are “fundamen-
tally systems issues created by characteristics of the system elements and interac-
tions between them.” True to the character of each editor, their ultimate goal was to
make our profession more welcoming and inclusive for those who seek to advance
knowledge and practice related to diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Dr. Roscoe
desires these chapters, so graciously provided by contributors, to be inclusive in and
of themselves. Dr. Roscoe stated that the chapters make use of “a blend of scholar-
ship and storytelling, which I hope inspires others to embrace a similar vision for
their work.” Dr. Chiou sees this book as a means “to help humanity realize our col-
lective potential by generating knowledge, sharing knowledge, knowing when and
how to use knowledge.” Dr. Wooldridge sees the book as “one way to pull (or push!)
the field farther along.”
In summary, the reader will gain new perspectives, new tools, new information.
But, the greatest gift of this book is its invitation to build a more inclusive human
systems engineering profession for all. Frankly, I walked away from my reading of
this work and embraced my elephants once again in all their colorful and boundary-
less splendor. We don’t have to color inside the lines or use the same colors every day.
Humans are complex. They are diverse, and diversity matters, especially to those
who have been told to conform, to be like those with power and privilege. No human
user wishes to disappear into the milieu of a dominant culture. Every human wishes
xii Foreword
and deserves to have attributes included in the design and evaluation of systems.
These differences should be foundational to our work so we demonstrate our respect
for all users.
Thanks to the editors and contributors. Truly, this work will help to open the
gates, give us permission to color outside the lines, and move our profession forward
in leaps and bounds.
xiii
xiv Preface
(Hendrick & Kleiner, 2002) that study the effects of environment, organization,
people, and technology on system design and performance.
We believe that these human-focused and system-oriented approaches are per-
fectly suited to address human-focused and system-oriented threats to diversity
and inclusion, and to generate the necessary knowledge, strategies, and tools for
promoting social justice. For instance, universal design entails designing for indi-
viduals with special physical or cognitive needs (Vanderheiden & Jordan, 2012), and
universal design for learning applies these principles to education (Edyburn, 2010).
Likewise, macroergonomics offers theoretical frameworks and methods to inves-
tigate systemic issues (Hendrick & Kleiner, 2002) such as diversity, inclusion, and
social justice. Cultural ergonomics analyzes interactions between human factors,
ergonomics, design, and the diverse cultural contexts in which these activities occur
(Montague & Perchonok, 2012; Smith-Jackson & Wogalter, 2000).
We chose “human systems engineering” as the titular framing for this book to
emphasize the preceding themes, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches. In
addition, two of the editors (Roscoe and Chiou) are HSE faculty at Arizona State
University. However, other scholars and our chapter contributors are welcome to
refer to “human factors,” “ergonomics,” or other disciplines and terminology—we
wholeheartedly embrace this plurality.
OVERVIEW
This volume is organized in three thematic sections, yet many chapters blend these
themes. These sections should be considered as loose clusters of related work—there
is a significant degree of “cross talk” among chapters.
directly engage with the needs and goals of marginalized and underrepresented
populations.
The first two chapters offer narratives about recognizing and confronting exclu-
sion. In Chapter 7, Bass describes how workplace discrimination impacts millions
of LGBTQ people and reveals how individuals and organizations can advocate for
change within these systems. Her narrative also exemplifies how the “human fac-
tors and systems engineering toolbox” can guide, coordinate, and empower these
long-term efforts. In Chapter 8, Reinert discusses how designers exclude people both
deliberately and inadvertently. Reinert cautions us to engage members of marginal-
ized populations during design to prevent unintentionally exclusionary decisions,
such as the inaccessible placement of gender-neutral restrooms on a college campus.
In Chapter 9, Williams and Gilbert further challenge our conceptions of ethi-
cal participatory design research and methodology in the context of autistic persons
and individuals with disabilities. They argue that marginalized populations must
be deeply integrated into research pertaining to their needs and concerns, and such
inclusion must carefully respect participants’ voice, agency, and power.
In Chapter 10, we return to Medellín to further witness how HSE can improve
our understanding of people, their challenges, and ways to support them. Rodríguez
and Gaviria report an ergonomic analysis of recyclers—individuals who make their
living by salvaging material waste. Their work reveals insights about the systemic
resources, physical and health demands, and other conditions of vulnerability associ-
ated with recyclers.
In Chapter 11, Harris, Nie, and Rogers provide a review and case studies on chal-
lenges faced by older adults and the role of technology-based support. Importantly,
aging introduces myriad challenges (e.g., isolation and disabilities) that intersect
with diverse demographic factors (e.g., education and culture). Using three exemplar
cases, this chapter argues that technology design must include the authentic input of
older adults and make use of diverse methodologies.
Finally, in Chapter 12, Jackson, Laurenceau, and Gilbert discuss the design of
wearable brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies. Specifically, the authors argue
that advancements in these devices ignored the goals and needs of women, with con-
sequences for technology adoption, commercialization, and research participation.
CONCLUSION
We anticipate that this book will be valuable to a wide audience of researchers,
educators, professionals, and learners. The current book highlights how scholars and
practitioners in HSE (inclusively defined) advance diversity, inclusion, and social
justice through their work. In addition, we expect that the volume will be interest-
ing to audiences in allied disciplines, such as education, community development,
criminal justice, psychology, public health, and engineering (to name a few). Many
fields are already immersed in inclusive endeavors, and this book may reveal and
reinforce the added contributions of HSE. Ideally, this book will promote expanded
interest in pursuing social justice, and will foster new connections, collaborations,
and research.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This edited volume contributes to the mission of the Human Systems Engineering
Education project supported by the National Science Foundation (#1712328). Any
opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this work are
those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science
Foundation.
Rod D. Roscoe, Arizona State University
Erin K. Chiou, Arizona State University
Abigail R. Wooldridge, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign
xx Preface
REFERENCES
Antonio, A. L., Chang, M. J., Hakuta, K., Kenny, D. A., Levin, S., & Milem, J. F. (2004).
Effects of racial diversity on complex thinking in college students. Psychological
Science, 15(8), 507–510.
Boehm-Davis, D. A., Durso, F. T., & Lee, J. D. (Eds.). (2015). APA handbooks in psychol-
ogy: APA handbook of human systems integration. Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
Chiou, E. K., Wooldridge, A. R., Price, M., Mosqueda, E., & Roscoe, R. D. (2017). The HFES
Diversity Committee: Challenges and opportunities for involvement. Proceedings of
the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 61(1), 498–500.
Edyburn, D. L. (2010). Would you recognize universal design for learning if you saw it? Ten
propositions for new directions for the second decade of UDL. Learning Disability
Quarterly, 33(1), 33–41.
Froehle, C. (2016). The evolution of an accidental meme. Medium.com [blog]. Retrieved from
https://medium.com/@CRA1G/the-evolution-of-an-accidental-meme-ddc4e139e0e4
Hendrick, H. W., & Kleiner, B. M. (2002). Macroergonomics: Theory, methods, and applica-
tions. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Herring, C. (2009). Does diversity pay? Race, gender, and the business case for diversity.
American Sociological Review, 74(2), 208–224.
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (2019, January 6). HFES Strategic Plan. Retrieved
from www.hfes.org/about-hfes/strategic-plan
Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, & National Academy of Engineering.
(2007). Beyond bias and barriers: Fulfilling the potential of women in academic sci-
ence and engineering. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
Jacko, J. A. (2012). The human-computer interaction handbook: Fundamentals, evolving
technologies, and emerging applications. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Montague, E., & Perchonok, J. (2012). Health and wellness technology use by histori-
cally underserved health consumers: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet
Research, 14(3), e78.
Myers, V. A. (2012). Moving diversity forward: How to go from well-meaning to well-doing.
Chicago, IL: American Bar Association.
Nemeth, C. J. (1995). Dissent as driving cognition, attitudes, and judgments. Social Cognition,
13(3), 273–291.
Rawls, J. (2001). Justice as fairness: A restatement. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University
Press.
Roberson, Q. M. (2006). Disentangling the meanings of diversity and inclusion in organiza-
tions. Group & Organization Management, 31(2), 212–236.
Roscoe, R. D., Becker, D. V., Branaghan, R. J., Chiou, E., Gray, R., Craig, S. D., . . . Cooke, N.
J. (2019). Bridging psychology and engineering to make technology work for humans.
American Psychologist, 74(3), 394–406.
Smith-Jackson, T., Pak, R., Johnson, K., McLaughlin, A., & Rovira, E. (2016). The HFES
Diversity Task Force. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Annual Meeting, 60(1), 422–424.
Smith-Jackson, T., & Wogalter, M. S. (2000). Applying cultural ergonomics/human factors
to safety information research. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics
Society Annual Meeting, 44(33), 150–153.
Sommers, S. R. (2006). On racial diversity and group decision making: Identifying multiple
effects of racial composition on jury deliberations. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 90(4), 597.
Van Knippenberg, D., & Schippers, M. C. (2007). Work group diversity. Annual Review of
Psychology, 58, 515–541.
Preface xxi
Vanderheiden, G. C., & Jordan, J. B. (2012). Design for people with functional limitations.
In G. Salvendy (Ed.), Handbook of human factors and ergonomics (4th ed., pp. 1407–
1441). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Wooldridge, A. R., Nguyen, T., Valdez, R., Montague, E., Milner, M. N., Dorneich, M. C., &
Roscoe, R. D. (2018, October). Human factors and ergonomics in diversity, inclusion,
and social justice research. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Annual Meeting, 62(1), 447–449. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
Editors
Dr. Rod D. Roscoe is Associate Professor of Human Systems Engineering and a
Diane and Gary Tooker professor for effective education in STEM at Arizona State
University. His research identifies ways to improve educational efficacy and access
by understanding relationships between learning theory, technology innovation, and
user experience. He also investigates engineering education and the preparation of
future engineers to address the ‘human side’ of engineering and design.
xxiii
Contributors
Golnaz Arastoopour Irgens Fabrice Delice
Clemson University City University of New York, Brooklyn
Clemson, South Carolina College
garasto@clemson.edu Brooklyn, New York
fabrice_delice@yahoo.com
Ellen J. Bass
Drexel University Michael C. Dorneich
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Iowa State University
ejb96@drexel.edu Ames, Iowa
dorneich@iastate.edu
Natalie C. Benda
Weill Cornell Medicine David S. Edmunds
New York, New York University of Virginia
ncb4001@med.cornell.edu Charlottesville, Virginia
rsv9d@virginia.edu
Ann M. Bisantz
University at Buffalo Jennifer Feitosa
Buffalo, New York Claremont McKenna College
bisantz@buffalo.edu Claremont, California
jennfeitosa@outlook.com
Christian Boxley
MedStar Health National Center for Jaime Gaviria
Human Factors in Healthcare Universidad de Antioquia
Washington, District of Columbia Medellín, Colombia
Christian.L.Boxley@medstar.net jaime.gaviria@udea.edu.co
xxv
xxvi Contributors
Rupa S. Valdez
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
rsv9d@virginia.edu
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
Which is the greatest of all Planets? Which Planet ranks, in
magnitude, next to Jupiter? Which of the Planets ranks third in
magnitude? Which, Fourth? What Planets are smaller than our
Earth? What Planets are smaller than the Moon?
[§ 11.] What do you call the Diameter of a ball or sphere? Is the
Diameter of the Sun larger or smaller than the Diameters of all the
Planets taken together?
The teacher may yet ask a number of questions respecting the
Diameters of the Planets, which the pupil will be able to answer by
looking on Plate III. He may, for instance, ask whether the Diameter of
the Earth is larger or smaller than that of Venus? Whether the
Diameter of Jupiter or Saturn is the largest, etc.? This will oblige the
pupil to compare the different magnitudes of the Planets and their
Diameters.
[§ 12.] What proportion does the square-Contents of the Sun’s
surface bear to that of the surfaces of all the Planets? What two
Planets have together a surface nearly as large as that of our Earth?
Are the surfaces of Ceres, Vesta, Juno and Pallas taken together
sufficient or not, to cover the surface of our Earth? What Planets,
therefore, could be covered with the Earth’s surface? Which Planet
has the largest surface? What do you observe with regard to the
square-Contents of Jupiter’s surface? and that of the surfaces of all
other Planets, taken together? What Planet’s surface comes next in
magnitude to Jupiter’s? What Planet’s surface is larger than that of
our Earth, Venus and Mercury taken together? What three Planets’
surfaces taken together are smaller than that of the Moon? What
Planet has nearly as large a surface as the Moon?
[§ 13.] What is the opinion of philosophers respecting the Four
Planets, Ceres, Vesta, Juno and Pallas?
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Numbers are purposely omitted here, because abstract
numbers convey little or no ideas to young pupils. Those who
wish these relations expressed in numbers will find them in Table
I at the end of the book.
LESSON III.
EXPLAINING THE MOTION OF THE PLANETS AND COMETS ROUND THE
SUN.
§ 14. You have learned, in the preceding lesson, that the Earth
and the other Planets are regularly moving round the Sun; but you
must know that the time which each requires to complete a whole
revolution, that is, the time which each needs to move once round,
cannot be the same with all; as you may easily judge yourself: for the
Planets which are next to the Sun will, of course, have a much
smaller journey to perform, than those which are further from it. Thus
Mercury, which is the first Planet in order from the Sun, will naturally
come round much sooner than Jupiter, which is placed at a much
greater distance from it.
That you may the easier understand this, the following Plate, No.
VI, will represent to you our Solar System:
The Sun from which proceeds all light and heat, is placed in the
centre. Then come the Planets Mercury and Venus; Third in order is
our Earth with its Satellite the Moon; and so on. The rest of the
Planets in the same order in which they are represented on Plate II.
You will also perceive there the orbs of two Comets, distinguished as
you were told, by a tail of light. The Planets Jupiter, Saturn and
Herschel are each represented with their Moons, and the Planet
Saturn with its luminous ring.
No. VI.
Now you will easily understand that Ceres, Vesta, Juno, Pallas,
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Herschel, have each a much greater
distance to travel, than our Earth; but that, on the contrary, Venus
and Mercury can complete their revolution in a much shorter time.[2]
§ 15. The time which our Earth needs to travel once completely
round the Sun, (to finish one revolution) is called a Year. Such a year
has three hundred and Sixtyfive days;—and each of these days has
again Twentyfour hours.
You see from this that the revolution of the Earth round the Sun
gives us a means of measuring time, by which we are able to bring
order and regularity into our business and transactions of life. For the
making of clocks and watches is but a late invention, and we should
be left entirely in the dark as regards the history of former ages, and
a great many people would, at this present moment, be incapable of
forming a correct estimate of time, if Providence had not given to all
this appropriate means of measuring it.
§ 16. While the Earth needs a whole year for one revolution round
the Sun; Mercury requires but Eightyone days, and Venus only about
two thirds of One of our years. Mars, on the contrary, needs for one
of his revolutions almost Two years; Vesta almost Four; Juno, Ceres
and Pallas over Four years; Jupiter almost Twelve, Saturn over
Twentynine, and Herschel nearly Eightyfour of our years![3]—And if
these Planets, as we have reason to believe, are inhabited by beings
endowed with human understanding and faculties, numbering their
years as we do ours—by the revolution of their Planets round the
Sun—how different from ours must be the Period of their existence!!
§ 17. During the time that the Earth is performing her journey
round the Sun, the Moon, our constant attendant, is continually
moving round the Earth, and completes one of these revolutions in
little more than Twentyseven days.—Very important and interesting
to us are the changes in appearance which she exhibits during each
of these revolutions.—You probably will know, that the Moon does
not appear to us, at all times, the same. Sometimes she is hardly at
all visible, (at least not with the naked eye); at other times only a
small rim of her is seen, which by degrees becomes larger and
larger, until finally she appears in her full round form. After this she
begins again to diminish, changes again into a small luminous rim,
and finally disappears entirely from our sight. These successive
changes in the Moon’s appearance are called the Moon’s Phases, or
the waxing and waning of the Moon. The time during which the Moon
is not seen is called New Moon; the time during which she exhibits
her full shape is called the Full Moon; and the different periods of her
waxing and waning (when she appears to us in the form of a
crescent) are called Quarters. Thus we speak of the First and of the
Last Quarter of the Moon. The First Quarter takes place after New
Moon; the last Quarter after Full Moon.
The following diagram, Plate No. VII, may serve to represent to you
the Moon’s phases as seen from our Earth.
When the Moon is in a, then the light of the Sun falls just on that
side of it which is turned from the Earth. It is then, we have New
Moon. When in b, a small brim of the Moon is seen, because a small
portion of its lighted surface is then turned towards the Earth.—When
in c half of her lighted surface is turned towards us, and we have the
First Quarter. In d a still greater portion of the Moon’s lighted surface
is visible, and in e, we have Full Moon, because her whole lighted
surface is then turned towards the Earth. In f the moon commences to
wane (to grow smaller,) and in g the last quarter commences; finally,
when passed through the point h, we have in a, again New Moon. For
familiar illustration you may also take a white ivory ball, holding it
before a lighted candle, which may take the place of the Sun. When
the ball is in a straight line between your eye and the candle it will
appear to you all dark; because the lighted part is then entirely turned
toward the candle (away from you), and you have the same case
which is represented to you in the diagram, when the Moon is in a. But
if you move the ball a little to the right, you will perceive a streak of
light, similar to the First Quarter represented in the Diagram, when the
Moon is in c. If moved still farther to the right, so that the whole lighted
part of the ball is seen, it will resemble the Full Moon; represented in
the Diagram, when the Moon is in e.
No. VII.
No. VIII.
§ 18. While the Moon is moving round the Earth, it often occurs
that she is placed in a direct line between ourselves and the Sun. In
this case a greater or less part of the Sun is concealed from us,
which causes a diminution of light or a partial darkness on our Earth.
This we call an Eclipse of the Sun. (Such an Eclipse took place in
1831, and you will probably have an opportunity of seeing many
more). If, on the contrary, the Earth is placed in a direct line between
the Sun and the Moon, then the Moon will be obscured by our Earth.
This is called an Eclipse of the Moon. The following two figures on
Plate No. VIII will serve for an illustration.
You will easily perceive from them that if the Moon (as represented
in Figure I) is placed in a direct line between the Sun and ourselves, it
must necessarily conceal from us part of that luminary; and in this
state cast a shade upon our Earth.
But if the Earth is placed in a direct line between the Sun and the
Moon, (as represented in Figure II), then the Moon will be much more
obscured, because the Earth is much larger than the Moon, and will
therefore cast a much greater shade upon her.
§ 19. It remains for us to speak of that class of bodies known by
the name of Comets, (see Lesson I, § 6). Of these an unknown
number belongs to our Solar System.—(Some philosophers have
estimated their number to be about Twentyone; others think it must
amount to several hundred). They move round the Sun in
exceedingly long ovals, having their transparent tails always turned
away from that luminary. What is most remarkable about them is the
astonishing degree of heat to which they are exposed on account of
passing so near the Sun, and the astonishing velocity with which
they travel.
The Comet which appeared in the year 1680, is supposed to
sustain a heat nearly Two Thousand times greater than that of red hot
iron, and to move at the rate of several Hundred Thousand miles an
hour!!
FOOTNOTES:
[2] If the teacher has an orrery at hand, if it be even of the most
simple construction, he may exhibit it now. But it is the author’s
belief that a considerable portion of the pupil’s interest is lost, if he
be acquainted with it, at the beginning of the study; or, as it is the
custom in some schools, if an orrery is hung up among the charts
and maps of the school room. The pupil ought not to see the
orrery, until he knows that it is but a faint illustration of the infinite
grandeur of the heavens. Nothing detracts so much from our
estimation of things as a too familiar acquaintance with them,
before we know their real value.
[3] The exact numbers are given in Table II, at the end of the
book.
LESSON IV.
ROTATION OF THE SUN, THE EARTH, AND THE REST OF THE PLANETS ON
THEIR AXES.—DAY AND NIGHT.—INCLINATION OF THE EARTH’S AXIS.—
SEASONS.
§ 20. Besides the progressive motion of the Planets, of which we
have spoken in the last Lesson, they have yet a peculiar motion like
a wheel turning on its Axle-tree. This motion is called the rotation of
the Planets on their Axes; because each of them seems to move
round a straight line passing through its centre; like a ball turning
round a piece of wire run through the middle of it.—Moreover it is
customary to call such a straight line imagined to be drawn through
the centre of a Planet—the Axis of that Planet.
The double motion of the Planets,—progressive and rotary,—is
perhaps one of the most difficult things for young pupils properly to
understand, without some popular illustration. If the teacher, therefore,
has no orrery to show this motion to his pupils, he may compare it to a
screw which is turned round whilst it suffers at the same time a
progressive motion; or perhaps with more propriety to a spinning-top,
which is continually turning on its Axis, while at the same time it
describes large circles.[4]
§ 21. If you have well understood what has just been said, you will
be able to comprehend, that our Earth, while it is performing its great
journey round the Sun in Three Hundred and Sixtyfive days, is, at
the same time, every Twentyfour hours turning on its Axis. This
rotary motion of our Earth on its Axis is the cause of the successive
changes of day and night; that portion of the Earth which is turned
toward the Sun having always day, when the other, which is turned
away from him, has night.
This is again a wise dispensation of God’s providence. For if the
Earth would always keep the same relative position to the Sun, then
that portion of it, which would then be turned toward the Sun, would
have continual day, whilst the other, which would then be turned away
from him, would be enveloped in perpetual darkness. But as it is now
arranged by the Earth’s rotation on its Axis, most every portion of its
surface must at least once every Twentyfour hours be turned toward
the Sun and receive from him light and heat. Without this, one great
half of our Earth would have a perpetual winter, destructive to plants
and animals, while an everlasting summer would scorch the other half
and render it equally unfit for the support of man.
The following Diagram, Plate IX, may serve to give you an idea of
the Earth’s rotation round its Axis, and the alternate succession of
Day and Night, resulting from it. When the Earth is situated as
represented in the Diagram, then that portion of it, which is marked
A, will have Day, because it is turned toward the Sun; and the portion
marked B, will have Night. But in the course of the next Twelve hours
the order will be reversed. The portion which is marked B, will be
turned toward the Sun and have day, whilst the portion A will be
turned from him, and have night.
§ 22. The rotation of the Earth on its Axis is also the cause of the
Rising and Setting of the Sun. For no portion of our Earth is at once
turned toward or from the Sun; but moves toward or from it by
degrees (as you may see by slowly turning a ball near the flame of a
candle). This gradual motion of each portion of the Earth’s surface
toward or from the Sun, makes the Sun himself appear to us as
rising and going down; while, in fact, we ourselves are turning
towards, or receding from him. This is a kind of deception similar to
that which you experience when slowly gliding down a river; when
the objects on shore have the appearance of receding from you,
while in fact, it is you, yourself, who are travelling away from them.
No. IX.
§ 25. The Sun himself is also known to turn regularly on his Axis,
and to complete one whole rotation in about Twentysix of our days.
This we have been able to perceive from the spots which have been
discovered on its surface, and which gradually move toward and
disappear on one side, when in a short time after they appear again
on the other.
§ 26. The Moon, and the Satellites of the other Planets have no
rotary motion; but have always the same side turned towards their
Planets. Thus the moon keeps constantly the same side turned
towards the Earth; but her monthly motion round the Earth (Lesson
III, § 17) is equal to a rotation on her axis; because by this means
every part of her is, at least, once every Twentyseven days turned
toward the Sun; as you may see from the Moon’s phases,
represented on plate VII. A day in the Moon, therefore, is equal to
Twentyseven of our days; because the Moon moves in Twentyseven
of our days round the Earth, which is equal to turning once on her
axis.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] The propriety of this comparison becomes still more evident,
when we reflect that the Axis of the top is generally somewhat
inclined to the plane.
[5] If the terms perpendicular and oblique, should not be
perfectly understood by the pupils, it will be easy for the teacher
to explain their meaning.
[6] If the Earth requires 365 days to travel round the Sun; and
each day has twentyfour hours; then the Earth will, during the
whole of this time, turn Three Hundred and Sixtyfive times on its
axis.
LESSON V.
OF THE APPEARANCE AND PECULIARITIES OF THE MOON AND SOME OF
THE PLANETS WHEN VIEWED THROUGH A TELESCOPE.
§ 27. Next to the Sun there is no heavenly body so interesting to
us as the Moon. When viewed through a good Telescope[7] she has
nearly the same appearance as in Figure I, Plate X. The bright parts
are supposed to be lofty mountains and tracts of land; (which is
evident also from the shadow which they cast) and the dark spots
are supposed to be valleys and caverns. Many of the mountains of
the Moon are higher than the largest mountains on the Earth. Some
of them are volcanos, and their eruptions have been distinctly
observed by many distinguished Philosophers. Some of the caverns
are ascertained to have a depth of many miles and a width of almost
Three miles.—No water has as yet been discovered in the Moon.
Hence if she is inhabited, as we have reason to believe, her
inhabitants must be very differently constructed from ourselves.
§ 28. Among the Planets Venus is by far the most beautiful in
appearance. She is known also by the name of the Morning and
Evening Star. Her light is so bright that she is often seen at Noon.
When viewed through a good telescope she exhibits phases similar
to those of the Moon (Lesson III, § 17), which proves her spherical
form (Lesson I, § 3). The mountains in Venus have been calculated
to be at least Six times as high as those on our Earth. Her
Atmosphere is only half as dense as ours.
§ 29. Mars appears in many respects similar to our Earth. His light
is red and changeable; his surface exhibits black changeable spots
(see Figure II, Plate X). Some philosophers pretend to have noticed
a region of ice on his poles. His atmosphere is twice as dense as
ours.
No. X.
Herschel is too remote, for us to know much about its surface. Its
atmosphere is supposed to be Three Hundred and Sixty-one times
thicker than ours.
Mercury, being the nearest Planet to the Sun, has a very bright light;
but is only seen early before Sun-rise, and immediately after Sun-set.
It exhibits Phases like the Moon.
RECAPITULATION OF LESSON V.
QUESTIONS.
[§ 27.] What do you know about the Moon’s surface? What, about
its mountains, volcanos and caverns? Have any great waters been
discovered in it?
[§ 28.] What do you know about the Planet Venus? By what other
name is she known? What does she exhibit, when viewed through a
telescope? What do you know about her mountains? What, about
her atmosphere?
[§ 29.] What do you know about the Planet Mars? What, about his
light, surface and atmosphere?
[§ 30.] What surface does Jupiter exhibit when viewed through a
telescope? Of what color is the light of Jupiter? What do you know
about his atmosphere?
[§ 31.] What do you know about the Planet Saturn? What does the
ring of Saturn appear to be? What do you know about the
atmosphere of this Planet?
FOOTNOTES: