Astronomy Daytime and Evening Exercises in Astronomy The Ways of the Planets

Abstract

(1) IN this volume Mr. Chambers has aimed at giving the man of ordinary education—too often, alas, deficient of any precise ideas regarding the fundamental truths of the oldest of the sciences—a clear and simple insight into the astronomy of to-day; and he has accomplished his part of the task with characteristic success. Abstruse problems are not sprung upon the young astronomer, nor are they obviously evaded, but at all times is he encouraged to observe phenomena for himself, and thereby to grasp more thoroughly the lucid explanations. Sun, moon, and planets; tides, time, and eclipses 5 meteors and comets, and then the constellations, stars, and nebulae, with their spectroscopic characteristics, are all dealt with in turn. Nor is the practically-minded neophyte neglected, for he will find some useful hints as to how to obtain and house his instrument, with some idea of the probable cost, based on actual accomplishments. The beginner should find little to confuse, and much that will enlighten him, although in the very brief survey of astro-spectroscopy he may wonder what such terms as “minimum-deviation” (p. 303) mean, and it is to be hoped that he will proceed to make further inquiries into this most fascinating branch of the subject. The book is very well and profusely illustrated, some of the plates being in colour, and can be recommended as an excellent work for the serious beginner. In the copy under review the transposition of the top line on p. 24 to the top of p. 25 makes the text much simpler.

Astronomy.

By G. F. Chambers. Pp. xxiv + 335 + cxxxv plates. (London: Hutchinson and Co., n.d.) Price 5s. net.

Daytime and Evening Exercises in Astronomy.

For Schools and Colleges. By Dr. Sarah F. Whiting. Pp. xv + 104. (Boston and London: Ginn and Co., n.d.) Price 3s. 6d.

The Ways of the Planets.

By M. E. Martin. Pp. v + 273 + vi plates. (New York and London: Harper and Brothers, 1912.) Price 5s. net.