Introduction to Astronomy

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. As now arranged, the first chapters are devoted to a discus sion of the earth and its motions. They present splendid examples of the characteristics and methods of science, and amply illustrate the care with which scientific theories are established. The conclusions which are set forth are bound up with the development of science from the dawn of recorded history to the recent experiments on the rigidity and the elas ticityof the earth. They show how closely various sciences are interlocked, and how much an understanding of the earth depends upon its relations to the sky. They lead naturally to a more formal treatment of the celestial sphere and a study of the constellations. A familiarity with the brighter stars and the more. Conspicuous constellations is regarded as important. One who has become thoroughly acquainted with them will always experience a thrill when he looks up at night into a cloudless sky.