The problems of which I have so far spoken are those of what may
be called the older astronomy. If I apply this title it is because
that branch of the science to which the spectroscope has given
birth is often called the new astronomy. It is commonly to be
expected that a new and vigorous form of scientific research will
supersede that which is hoary with antiquity. But I am not willing
to admit that such is the case with the old astronomy, if old we
may call it. It is more pregnant with future discoveries today
than it ever has been, and it is more disposed to welcome the
spectroscope as a useful handmaid, which may help it on to new
fields, than it is to give way to it. How useful it may thus
become has been recently shown by a Dutch astronomer, who finds
that the stars having one type of spectrum belong mostly to the
Milky Way, and are farther from us than the others.
In the field of the newer astronomy perhaps the most interesting
work is that associated with comets. It must be confessed,
however, that the spectroscope has rather increased than
diminished the mystery which, in some respects, surrounds the
constitution of these bodies. The older astronomy has
satisfactorily accounted for their appearance, and we might also
say for their origin and their end, so far as questions of origin
can come into the domain of science.
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