Astronomy of To - day. By Cecil G. Dolmage, LL.D. (Seeley and
Co. 5s.)—Dr. Dolmage's "Popular Introduction in Non- Technical Language" is a most useful and interesting volume. He begins with a brief account of the ancient view. In that the earth was the central object, and, indeed, nothing could be more natural. Sun, moon, and stars existed to give it light and to serve other purposes. It has been the achievement of astronomy to overturn this geocentric theory. So we get to the "Modern View" in the second chapter. This introduces us to "The Solar System," of which the most recently discovered member is the tiny planet revolving between Mars and the earth,—all the other asteroids are beyond Mars. Eclipses, &c., are next described and accounted for. It seems that we shall have to be content for some time with the knowledge already acquired from these events. The sun has to be observed in an eclipse, and no convenient eclipse will happen before August 21st, 1914. In England the next total eclipse will be in 1927. A chapter on telescopes, &c., is followed by one on " Spectrum Analysis." Then we read about the sun, the earth (astronomically considered), the moon, the planets, inferior and superior—Dr. Dolmage seems inclined to scepticism about life on Mars—meteors, the stars, and the stellar universe. Dr. Dolmage has certainly fulfilled his purpose. On the subject of meteors we have an amusing incident in astronomical research. It has always been a desideratum to get an observation of meteors before they become ignited by contact with the atmosphere of the earth. A few years ago it was thought that this had been achieved. The objects seen were called "dark meteors." And then some one discovered that these small dark bodies were particles of dust, or of the black coating of the tube of the telescope, which had become detached and fallen across the field of view. Dr. Dolmage has brought many aspects of a most fascinating subject within easy reach.
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