The measurement of the distance even of the nearest stars evaded
astronomical research until Bessel and Struve arose in the early
part of the present century.
On some aspects of the problem of the extent of the universe light
is being thrown even now. Evidence is gradually accumulating which
points to the probability that the successive orders of smaller
and smaller stars, which our continually increasing telescopic
power brings into view, are not situated at greater and greater
distances, but that we actually see the boundary of our universe.
This indication lends a peculiar interest to various questions
growing out of the motions of the stars. Quite possibly the
problem of these motions will be the great one of the future
astronomer. Even now it suggests thoughts and questions of the
most far-reaching character.
I have seldom felt a more delicious sense of repose than when
crossing the ocean during the summer months I sought a place where
I could lie alone on the deck, look up at the constellations, with
Lyra near the zenith, and, while listening to the clank of the
engine, try to calculate the hundreds of millions of years which
would be required by our ship to reach the star a Lyrae, if she
could continue her course in that direction without ever stopping.
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