iy PEE FACE. 



logues of stars are now in progress ; while nearly every known 

 member of our solar system has been repeatedly and carefully 

 observed. These observations are all permanently recorded by 

 a simple touch of the finger upon a key which closes an 

 electric circuit a method recently introduced at Greenwich 

 observatory, and known everywhere throughout Europe by the 

 distinctive name of the American method. 



Numerous discoveries have been the result of this astronomical 

 activity. A large number of comets have been independently 

 discovered on this side of the Atlantic ; and among these, three 

 at least were observed here before they were seen in Europe. 

 The two nebulae which have been longest and best known, were 

 never adequately figured until they were observed by the Messrs. 

 Bond ; and the planet Saturn, which for many years was made 

 the subject of special study by the elder Herschel, with his 

 wonderful means of observation, first revealed to the Messrs. 

 Bond a new ring and an eighth satellite. The novel spectacle 

 of a comet divided into two nearly equal portions, was first 

 witnessed in America ; and an American observer has added 

 one to the long list of planetary discoveries. 



Let us indulge the hope that the future progress of as- 

 tronomy is to be no less brilliant than the past ; and that 

 henceforth America may be even more distinguished for her 

 contributions to science, than for her progress in material 

 power and wealth. 



