Astronomy A Study - Classic Reprint Author:Simon Newcomb Astronomy Defined.-Astronomy {acfrrjp-a star, and vojaoZ-a law) is the science which has to do with the heavenly bodies, their appearauces, their nature, and the laws governing their real and their apparent motions. — In approaching the stndy of this the oldest of the sciences depending upon observation, it must be borne in mind that its progress... more » is most intimately connected with that of the race, it having always been the basis of geography and navigation, and the soul of chronology. Some of the chief advances and discoveries in abstract mathematics have been made in its service, and the methods both of observation and analysis once peculiar to its practice-now furnish the firm bases upon which rest that great group of exact sciences which we call Physics.
It is more important to the student that he should become penetrated with the spirit of the methods of astronomy than that he should recollect its minutia); and it is most important that the knowledge which he may gain from this or
Table of Contents
Astronomy Defined-How to Study Astronomy-Angles: their Measure-Plane Triangles-The Sphere-Power of the Eye to See Small Objects-Latitude and Longitude-Symbols and Abbreviations 1; CHAPTER I; Relation of the Earth to TnE Heavens; The Earth's Shape and Dimensions-The Celestial Sphere-The Horizon-The Diurnal Motion-Diurnal Motion in Different Latitudes-Correspondence of the Terrestrial and Celestial Spheres 13; CHAPTER II; Relation of the Eahtii to the Heavens-(Continued); The Celestial Sphere-Systems of Coordinates-Relation of Time to the Sphere-Sidereal Time-Solar Time-Determinations of Terrestrial Longitudes-Where does the Day Change ? -Determination of Latitudes-Parallax 37; CHAPTER III; Astronomical Instruments; The Telescope-Chronometers and Clocks-The Transit Instrument-The Meridian Circle-The Equatorial-The Sextant «=-The Nautical Almanac 60; lJAOK; Ancient Ideas of the Planets-Annual Revo« less