312 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 



Astronomy. 



In a course of Astronomy intended to interest adult students it is suggested 

 that more attention should be given to the reaction and application of 

 astronomical observations in everyday life and thought than to descriptions 

 of the nature and constitutions of celestial bodies. From the earliest days 

 to the present time people have been impressed by what they see in the 

 stellar heavens, and they can appreciate more easily such configurations and 

 movements than they can understand clearly the significance of many 

 discoveries made with the telescope or spectroscope. 



The determination of cardinal points, and the use of observations of stars 

 and of the sun to determine positions on the earth for navigational or other 

 purposes were widely used long before anything was known about the 

 constitutions of these bodies. It is desirable to realise that the knowledge 

 of astronomical phenomena among adults generally, or the interest in it, is 

 much the same as that of primitive observers. The intention should be, 

 therefore, to revive this contact of mind with the heavens by showing how 

 early observations and conclusions affected thought and action and how the 

 human race has been influenced by knowledge, as shown not merely in 

 direct applications but also in mythology, literature, and intellectual develop- 

 ment. Among subjects which suggest themselves as suitable for inclusion 

 in such a course of astronomy are the following : 



Early recognition of constellations or groups of bright stars. 

 References by Homer and Hesiod to Orion, the Great Bear, and the 

 Pleiades. 



Aratus's description of constellations. 



Ptolemy's forty-eight constellations described in his Almagest, still 

 accepted by astronomers. 



Association of Greek mythology with names of constellations. 

 Apparent annual movement of the sun among the stars. 

 Division of the movement into twelve parts (the Zodiacal circle). 

 Constellations and signs of the Zodiac. 

 The Zodiac of Denderah (Egypt) and that of the Greeks. 

 Identification of Egyptian gods with the twelve Zodiacal signs. Mention 

 in the Book of Kings of worship of the twelve signs, along with the sun and 

 moon. 



Recognition of Zodiacal signs in Jacob's blessing of his sons. 

 Association of Zodiacal constellations with seasons. 



Egyptian observations of the Dog Star — Sirius — and connection between 

 the rising of this star and the rising of the Nile. 



Orientation of solar temples in Egypt and of the Great Pyramids. 

 Egyptian year of 360 days plus 5 additional days representing birthdays of 

 the principal gods. 



Length of seasonal year ,365 days , 5 hours 45 minutes 46 sees . in Solar time . 

 Construction of the JuUan Calendar by the Egyptian astronomer, 

 Sosigenes. 



The Gregorian Calendar and its adoption in Great Britain in 1752, by 

 the omission of eleven days, September 3 being reckoned as September 14. 

 Early ideas as to the shape and movements of the earth. Copernicus, 

 Kepler and Galileo in relation to the substitution of the Copernican for the 

 Ptolemaic conception of the universe. Human reluctance to accept the 

 view that the earth is not the centre of celestial movements, so that the main 

 principles of astrology are undermined. 



Newton's discovery of the law of gravitation, and its use in providing 

 mechanical principles to interpret astronomical movements. Conjunctions 



