Curiosities Of The Sky

Curiosities Of The Sky
by Garrett Putman Serviss

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About Book

Book Description
From a historical and picturesque point of view, one of the most striking results of the motions of the stars described in the last chapter is their effect upon the forms of the constellations, which have been watched and admired by mankind from a period so early that the date of their invention is now unknown. The constellations are formed by chance combinations of conspicuous stars, like figures in a kaleidoscope, and if our lives were commensurate with the æons of cosmic existence we should perceive that the kaleidoscope of the heavens was ceaselessly turning and throwing the stars into new symmetries.

Download Description
From a historical and picturesque point of view, one of the most striking results of the motions of the stars described in the last chapter is their effect upon the forms of the constellations, which have been watched and admired by mankind from a period so early that the date of their invention is now unknown. The constellations are formed by chance combinations of conspicuous stars, like figures in a kaleidoscope, and if our lives were commensurate with the æons of cosmic existence we should perceive that the kaleidoscope of the heavens was ceaselessly turning and throwing the stars into new symmetries.

About the Author
Garrett Putnam Serviss was born in 1851 in Sharon Springs, New York. He graduated from Cornell in 1872 attended Columbia Law School and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1874. He seems never to have practiced law, becoming instead a journalist, first for the New York Tribune and then for the New York Sun. For the latter paper he anonymously wrote a much-loved astronomy column for the editorial page. He was a prolific author on astronomical topics, his books including Astronomy with an Opera Glass, Astronomy with the Naked Eye, and Round the Year with the Stars. He also wrote early science fiction novels, such as The Moon Metal and A Columbus of Space. He died on May 25, 1929 in Englewood, New Jersey.

Serviss had many virtues as a popularizer of science. He kept up with the research of his day and knew many professional astronomers personally. He was an active observer and was widely traveled. Although he adhered closely to the facts when summarizing current knowledge, he was not afraid to speculate. Scientists must keep their imaginations in check, he might say, but we spectators need not be so strict. Finally, his gentle wonder at the marvels of creation, and his care and skill in sharing it with us, make him a great pleasure to read.

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