The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-05-28
Quaint Astronomical Studies.

We are told that there has been no
perceptible growth or decay in the star
business since man began to roam
around through space, in his mind,
and make figures on the barn door
with red chalk showing the celestial
time table
No serious accidents have occurred in
the starry heavens since / began to OBJ
serve and study their habits. Not a
star has waXed, not star has waned
to my knowledge. Not a planet has
season-cracked or shown any of the
injurious effects of our rigorous climate.
Not q star has ripened prematurely or
fallen off the trees. The yarnish on the
very Oldest stars | find on close and
critical examination to be in splendid
condition. They will all no doubt wear
as long as we need them, and wink on
long after we have ceased to wink
back.
In 1866 there appeared suddenly in
the northern crown star OF about the
third magnitude and worth at least
$3.50. 1t was generally conceded by
astronomers that this was a brand new
star that had never been used, but up
on consulting Argelander's star cata-
logue and price list it was found that
this was not new star at all, but an
old faded out star of the ninth magni-
tude, with the front breaths turned
wrong side out and trimmed with
moonlight along the seams.
After a few days OF phenomenal
brightness it gently ceased to draw a
salary as star of the third magnitude
and walked home with an Uncle
Toms Cabin company"
Then, again, you take a certain style
of star, which you learn from Prof
Simon Newcomb is at such distance
that it takes 80, 900 years for its lights
to reach Boston. Now, we will sup
pose that after looking over the large
stock of new and secondhand stars,
and after examining the spring cata-
logue and price list decide that one of
the smaller size will do me and | buy
it. How do | know that it was there
when | bought it? Its cold and silent
rays may have ceased 40, 900 years be-
fore ! was born and the intelligence be
still on the way. There is too much
margin between sale and delivery.
Every now and then another astronomer
comes to me and says: professor, [
have discovered another new star and
intend to file it. Found it last night
about mile and q half south of the
zenith running loose. Haven't heard of
anybody who has lost star of the ff-
teenth magnitude, about thirteen hands
high, with light name and tail, have
you?h Now, how do l know that he
has discovered brand new star? How
can | discover whether he is or not
playing an old, threadbare star on me
for a new oneP
1t is surprising that every little while
| contemplate withdrawing from scien-
tific research to 90 and skin an eight
mule team down through the dim vista
of relentless years.
There is much in the great fields of
astronomy that is discouraging to the
savant who hasn't the time nor means
to rummage around through the h.av-
ems. AT times | am almost hopeless,
and feel like saying to the great yearn-
ful, hungry world: ''Grope on forever.
Don't ask me for another scientific fact.
Find it out yourself. Hunt up your
own newlaid planets, and let me have
a rest. Never ask me again to sit up
all night and take care of a newborn
world while you lie in bed and reck
NOT
| get no salary for examining the
trackless void night after night when |
ought to be in bed. | sacrifice my
lealth in order that the public may
know, at once, of the presence of a
red-hot comet, fresh from the factory.
And yet, what thanks do l get?-LiU
h3tP