The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-24
Today S Science
BY DAVID DIETZ

THE postman this morning left a book upon my
Il desk which belongs in the library of every
astronomical enthusiast and every high school and
college in the country was able to start writing
this review as quickly I had unvrapped the book
because I have been watching this book take shape
since May 1925.
1t bears the simple title Astronomical Society
Of the Pacific Leaflets"
In the mountains Of the Pacific coast stand some
of the worlds greatest astronomical obServatories.
There is Mt Wilson with its lO0nch telescope, the
largest now in existence. There is the Dominion
asrophysical observatory with its straightforward
telescope. the second largest in the world. There
also is the Lick observatory on Mt Hamilton another
famous astronomical center.
Astronomers OF these various institutions and lay
men, both on the Pacific coast and elsewhere
throughout the nation. are banded together into
unique organization. the Astronomical Society OF the
Pacific. This society came into existence through
the cooperation Of professional astronomers and
laymen in the observation of the eclipse of the sun
visible in central California on Jan. l, 1889.
TOR forty-five years that happy association of
L professional astronomer and amateur enthu-
Siast has continued
To meet the needs Of its amateur members, the
publication Of s. series Of Leaflets" was begun in
1925 under the edtorShlp OF Bernard BenIleld ana
C H Adams Each leafiet is small four-page affair.
But it deals with a subject which is of interest at
the time and is written by world-famous aStrono-
mer.
AT first these were issued at irregular intervals,
but the response 10 them hearty that it was
decided TO issue them bi-monthly.
The value Of each lies not only in the fact that
Il is simply written for the nonechnical reader. but
that IL is up-to-the- minute II makes it possible.
therefore for the reader keep step with the prog
reSS Of astronomy.
Since May. 1928. the society has published sixty
seven Of these leaflets The first fifty are collected
together into the present book
The book is profuSely illustrated with excellent
photographs and diagrams.
WHAT the book is, then, is collection of fifty
w short articles or essays. each dealing with
the latest developments in some particular branch
OF astronomy, and well illustrated with photographs
or diagrams. Each one is written by a recognized
astronomer.
The titles OF some OF the articles and the names
u their authors viii TO illustrate the character
81 the book:
How Far Away Is That Star and How Do You
Know" by DR.. Robert c. Aitken. associate director
Of the Lick Observatory. The Magelanic Clouds"
BY DR.. Isabel NJ. Lewis Of the United States Naval
Observatory. The Pleiades." by DR.. Robert j.
Trumpler OF the Lick Observatory. Exploring the
Depths OF Space" by DR.. Edwin P. Hubble of the
Mt Wilson Observatory. "Eclipsing Stars" by DR..
Alfred H. JOY Of the Mt. Wilson Observatory.
The subject matter Of the articles ranges over the
entire field OF modern astronomy and answers those
questions which the amateur is most likely TO ask.
And let repeat, it is clearly and simply written
In nontechnical language