A Century's Progress in Astronomy

A Century's Progress in Astronomy

The present volume originated in a desire to present, in small compass, a record of the marvellous progress in astronomy during the past hundred years. Indebtedness should be acknowledged to the valuable works of Professor Newcomb, Professor Schiaparelli, Professor Lowell, Professor Young, Sir Robert Ball, Mr Gore, M. Flammarion, and Miss Clerke, who, as the historian of modern astronomy, occupies a place at once authoritative and unique. Portions of Chapters II. and XII. have already appeared in the form of an article on the Construction of the Heavens, contributed by the writer to the American periodical, Popular Astronomy. In astronomy, as in other sciences, the past hundred years has been a period of unparalleled progress. New methods have been devised, fresh discoveries have been made, new theories have been propounded; the field of work has widened enormously. In fact, the science of the heavens has become not only boundless in its possibilities, but more awe-inspiring and marvellous. To whom in the main is this great advance due? To the great pioneer of what may be called modern astronomyWilliam Herschel. Not only did Herschel reconstruct the science and widen its bounds, but his powerful genius 2 directed the course of nineteenth century research. As an astronomical observer he has never been surpassed. In the breadth of his views he was equalled only by Newton; and indeed he excelled Newton in his unwearied observations and his sweeping conceptions of the Universe. To quote his own remark to the poet Campbell, he looked farther into space than ever human being did before him. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 63615
Author: Macpherson, Hector
Release Date: Nov 3, 2020
Format: eBook
Language: English