Abstract
ONE of the greatest difficulties encountered in the study of spherical and astronomy is to obtain a proper comprehension of the various circles of the celestial sphere, without which the solution of the problems involved can never be anything more than mechanical. The author of this book, however, has not thought it necessary to assist the student greatly in this direction, for fifty very brief definitions can by no means be regarded as an adequate introduction to celestial geometry. Thus, unless the student is endowed with an exceptionally good geometrical imagination, or has the advantage of a good teacher, it does not seem likely that he will be able to use the book with profit. The initial difficulties excepted, however, the book has many good features; the explanatory matter is brief and clear, and there is a useful collection of formulas, rules, numerical illustrations and exercises to be worked out. Much space is saved by the omission of tables which do not vary, while specimen pages of the “Nautical Almanac,” adapted to the exercises, have been introduced.
Nautical Astronomy.
By J. H. Colvin. Pp. 127. (London: E. and F. N. Spon, Ltd., 1901.) Price 2s. 6d. net.
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Nautical Astronomy . Nature 65, 296 (1902). https://doi.org/10.1038/065296b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/065296b0