A COMPENDIUM OF ASTRONOMY; CONTAINING THE ELEMENTS OF THE SCIENCE, FAMILIARLY EXPLAINED AND ILLUSTRATED, WITH THE LATEST DISCOVERIES. ADAPTED TO THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES, AND OF THE GENERAL READER. BY DENISON OLMSTED, A. M. PROFESSOR OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY AND ASTRONOMY IN YALE COLLEGE. NEW YORK: COLLINS, KEESE & CO. Eift mocistuttistoned fociety KY34793 HARVA 47X130 Dec. 31, 1923. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by DENISON OLMSTED, in the Clerk's office, of the District Court of Connecticut. PREFACE. THIS Small volume is intended to afford to the General Reader, and to the more advanced pupils of our Schools and Academies, a comprehensive outline of Astronomy with its latest discoveries. For its perusal, no further acquaintance with mathematics is necessary, than a knowledge of common arithmetic; although some slight knowledge, at least, of geometry and trigonometry will prove very useful.. By omitting mathematical formulæ, and employing much familiar illustration, we have endeavored to bring the leading facts and doctrines of this noble and interesting science, within the comprehension of every attentive and intelligent reader. In no science, more than in this, are greater advantages to be derived from a lucid arrangement-an order which brings out every fact and doctrine of the science, just in the place where the mind is ready to receive it. A certain maturity of mind, and power of reflection, are, however, indispensable for understanding this science. Astronomy is no study for children. Let them be employed on subjects more suited to the state of their capacities until those faculties are more fully developed, which will enable them to learn to conceive correctly of the celestial motions. A work on Astronomy that is very easy, must be very superficial, and will be found to enter very little into the arcana of the science. The riches of this mine lie deep; and no one can acquire them, who is either incompetent or unwilling to dive beneath the surface. Although this treatise is based on the larger work of the author, ("Introduction to Astronomy,") prepared for the students of Yale College, yet it is not merely an abridgement of that. It contains much original matter adapted to the peculiar exigencies of the class of readers for whom it is intended. The few passages taken verbatim from astronomical writers, are not, as in the larger work, always accredited to their respective authors, as this was deemed unimportant in a work of this description. It is strongly recommended to all who study this science, even in its most elementary form, early to commence learning the names of the constellations, and of the largest of the individual stars, in the order in which they are described in the last part of the work. A celestial globe will be found a most useful auxiliary in this as in every other part of Astronomy. If it cannot supersede, it may greatly aid reflection. The reader also should, if in his power, take frequent opportunities of viewing the heavenly bodies through the telescope. This will add much to his intelligence, and increase his interest in the study. |