THROUGH THE TELESCOPE

AGENTS

AMERICA . . THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
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CANADA . . THE MACMILLAN COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD.
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PLATE I.

The 40-inch Refractor of the Yerkes Observatory.

THROUGH

THE TELESCOPE

BY

JAMES BAIKIE, F.R.A.S.

WITH 32 FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS FROM PHOTOGRAPHS

AND 26 SMALLER FIGURES IN THE TEXT

LONDON

ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK

1906

C. N. B. and H. E. B.

[pg vii]

PREFACE

The main object of the following chapters is to givea brief and simple description of the most importantand interesting facts concerning the heavenly bodies,and to suggest to the general reader how much ofthe ground thus covered lies open to his personalsurvey on very easy conditions. Many people whoare more or less interested in astronomy are deterredfrom making practical acquaintance with the wondersof the heavens by the idea that these are onlydisclosed to the possessors of large and costlyinstruments. In reality there is probably no sciencewhich offers to those whose opportunities and meansof observation are restricted greater stores of knowledgeand pleasure than astronomy; and the possibilityof that quickening of interest which can onlybe gained by practical study is, in these days, deniedto very few indeed.

Accordingly, I have endeavoured, while recountingthe great triumphs of astronomical discovery, togive some practical help to those who are inclinedto the study of the heavens, but do not know howto begin. My excuse for venturing on such a taskmust be that, in the course of nearly twenty years

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