OLD AND NEW ASTRONOMY (CLASSIC REPRINT)

Excerpt from Old and New AstronomyIf such powers of vision, and also (for they would be even more needed) such powers of conception, were given to the astronomer, that the extent of the domain which the telescope has revealed to man could be adequately recognised, while be further became cognisant of the way in which the various portions of that domain are occupied, I conceive that, deeply as he would be impressed by the amazing scene, the sense of wonder he would experience would sink almost into nothingness by comparison with that which would overwhelm him could he recognise with equal clearness the movements taking place amongst the orbs presented to his contemplation - could he see moons and moon-systems circling around primary planets, these urging their way with inconceivable velocity around their central suns, while amid the star depths the suns were seen swiftly travelling on their several courses, star streams and star-clusters aggregating or segregating according to the various influences of the attractions to which they were subject, and the vast spaces occupied by the gaseous nebulm stirred to their inmost depths by the action of mighty forces whose real nature is as yet unknown to us. During millions, during hundreds, thousands, millions of millions of years in the past, such movements have been in progress, and they will continue during countless millions of years which are yet to come. Nay, it may well be that to speak of time, thus viewed, as measurable by years, even though we number them by millions, is as idle as it would be to speak of miles when dealing with the measurement of star-strewn space.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing i