The Midnight Sky: Familiar Notes on the Stars and PlanetsWhen Edwin Dunkin (1821-1898) published this book in 1869, it was received with widespread acclaim by both professional astronomers and the reading public. Dunkin, a distinguished astronomer who published widely in academic journals and later served in the prestigious roles of Deputy Astronomer Royal (1881-1884) and President of the Royal Astronomical Society (1880), is still best known for this work of popular astronomy that has functioned as an indispensable tool for generations of amateurs. Chapter 1 derives from Dunkin's famous 'The Midnight Sky at London' articles, previously published in Leisure Hour, which describe the London midnight sky during each month of the year. Other chapters cover the Southern Hemisphere, the constellations, the properties of fixed stars, the solar system, and meteors and shooting stars. The volume is well illustrated with star maps and engravings. It is a classic work of popular nineteenth-century astronomical writing. |
Contents
THE MIDNIGHT SKY OF THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE | 95 |
THE CONSTELLATIONS | 129 |
The Via Lactea or Milky Way | 187 |
Colour of the Stars | 194 |
Nomenclature of the Stars | 202 |
Nebula and Clusters | 208 |
The Sun | 215 |
Total Eclipses of the Sun | 227 |
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Common terms and phrases
Alpha ancient Andromeda appearance astronomers atmosphere attention attractive Bear Beta body bright bright stars brilliant Cassiopeia celestial colour comet comparatively considerable considered constellation contains Cross dark determined diagram direction disk distance distinguished Earth easily east eclipse equal extent fixed four Gamma give greater half heavens hemisphere Herschel horizon hour increased interesting known latter less light London looking lower magnitude March meridian meteors midnight miles Milky Minor minute months Moon motion nearly nebula night northern noticed November objects Observatory observed occupied orbit Orion pass Pegasus period Perseus planet Polaris pole portion position present principal stars probably recorded reference remarkable ring Royal seen side similar situated solar southern space supposed surface telescope third upper Ursa Major Vega Venus viewed visible zenith