Astronomy : simple introduction to a noble science

252 Pages·1886·38.843 MB·English

by  Edmund Neison

ASTRONOMY.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR:
A Manual of the English Grammar and Language,
for Self-Help.
By L. TOULMIN SMITH.
Price One Shilling.
FRENCH GRAMMAR:
Lessons in French Grammar and Pronunciation,
for Self-Educators:
By JULES A. L. KDNZ.
Price Two Shillings.
(Key to the above, price Is. 6rf.)
Ward, Lock, and Co., London and New York.
ASTEONOMY:
A SIMPLE INTRODUCTION TO A
NOBLE SCIENCE.
BY
EDMUND NEISON, F.K.A.S.,
Ber Maiesty** Astronomer for Natal.
J
WARD, LOCK, AND CO.
LONDON: WARWICK HOUSE, SALISBURY SQUARE, E,C,
NEW YORK BOND STREET
:
1886.
[All rightt ratrvei,
F
i
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
VjjUN 5 1953
^
PBEFACE.
•«
— —
t
present little work was undertaken in the
THE
—
years 1880 1882, as a series of popularly written
articles for the pages of the Universal Instructor, with
the view of their serving as an introduction to Astronomy
for those who had no previous knowledge of the science,
" The work is divided into two parts—the first to form a
sort of historical introduction, and the second to constitute
a more systematic description. From the earlier pages
there can be learnt those elementary data, and the meaning
of those technical terms, which are necessary for the proper
comprehension of the more systematic account of Astronomy
forming the second part of the little work.
Many of the illustrations in the first portion of the
work are taken from woodcuts in the earlier contributions
to our knowledge of Astronomy. But, throughout, no
attempt at refinement has been made in the illustrations,
as the soft aspect and delicate gradations of light and
shade inseparable from the proper delineation of the
planets, comets, and nebulae, can rarely be reproduced by
ordinary woodcuts ; whilst for the present purpose any
other process was out of the question. The figures are
—
sufficient, however, for the only purpose desired, the
elucidation of the descriptive text.
Since its appearance in the pages of the Universal
Instructor, the work has been revised and practically
brought up to date ; and it is hoped that by enlisting
further recruits to our ranks, it may tend to the advance
E,
of Astronomy. JT,
Avpuat, 1886,

CONTENTS.
— —
♦
Part I.
CTtaPTBB tMit
L INTEOdUCTOHY : IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SEVEN
...
Century
TEENTH .... 1
II. Early Contributions to Astronomy .18
. .
in. Improved Astronomical Instruments 36
IV. Further Telescopic Discoveries 45
...
V. Newton's Contributions 55
VI. Foundation op Systematic Observations . . 62
VII. Modern Mathematical Astronomy 70
.73
VIII. New Telescopes and Discoveries . . .
IX. The Minor Planets 81
X. Modern Discoveries 87
Part II.
XI. The Solar System 107
XII. The Sun 117
XIII. Intra-Mercurial Planets
.... 127
XIV. Mercury and Venus 129
XV. The Earth and the Moon 133
XVI. Mars and the Minor Planets 146
Jupiter
XVII. and Saturn 150
XVIII. Uranus, Neptune, and Ultra-Nbptunian
Planets
156
XIX. Comets and Meteors 159
XX. Ultra-Solarian Astronomy
168
XXI. Double Stars 171
XXII. Variable and Temporary Stars . . . .177
XXIII. The Stars as Suns 179
XXIV. The Nebula 188
XXV. The Telescope 191
XXVI. Work fob thb Telescopb 20B