Curiosities of the Sky is a classic astronomy guide by Garrett Serviss. What Froude says of history is true also of astronomy: it is the most impressive when the Cosmos transcends explanation. It is not the mathematics of astronomy, but the wonder and the mystery that seize upon the imagination. The calculation of an eclipse owes all its prestige to the sublimity of its data; the operation, in itself, requires no more mental effort than the preparation of a railway time-table. Contents: The windows of absolute night -- Star ...
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Curiosities of the Sky is a classic astronomy guide by Garrett Serviss. What Froude says of history is true also of astronomy: it is the most impressive when the Cosmos transcends explanation. It is not the mathematics of astronomy, but the wonder and the mystery that seize upon the imagination. The calculation of an eclipse owes all its prestige to the sublimity of its data; the operation, in itself, requires no more mental effort than the preparation of a railway time-table. Contents: The windows of absolute night -- Star-clouds, star-clusters, and star-streams -- Stellar migrations -- The passing of the constellations -- Conflagrations in the heavens -- Explosive and whirling nebulae -- The banners of the sun -- The zodiacal light mystery -- Marvels of the aurora -- Strange adventures of comets -- Meteors, fire-balls, and meteorites -- The wrecking of the moon -- The great Mars problem -- The riddle of the asteroids.
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