JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 7k 
ASTRONOMY TO BEGINNERS. 
Read before the Astronomical Section of the Hamzlton Scientific 
Association, January 13th, 1902. 
BY REV. D. B. MARSH, SC. D. 
Astronomy is the science which treats of the heavenly bodies 
and the laws which govern them. It may be included in the study 
of Physics as the laws of motion, equilibrium, gravity, etc., have all 
much to do with the arrangements and positions of the stars. The 
term ‘‘Astronomy” is derived from two Greek words, “‘astron” a 
star, ‘‘nomos,” the law of the stars, hence Astronomy no more than 
any other of the physical sciences can stand by itself. As light, 
heat, electricity, etc., are inter-dependent, so Astronomy is dependent 
upon mathematics, particularly Geometry and Trigonometry for the 
problems to be solved. 
In other branches of science numerous instruments are neces- 
sary before we can take even the first steps. In Astronomy, 
however, a small telescope, such as may be possessed by any house- 
hold (even a good field glass) will reveal interesting things, or even. 
with the naked eye, with good star maps in our hands, upon fine, 
clear nights, easily find out the position of the constellations and 
trace their forms in the mighty expanse. But with telescopes of 
very convenient size, and moderate price, a student may enjoy 
delightful observation of the sun, moon, planets and stars; even 
with a 3-Inch telescope, at a cost of about $130 to $150, witha 
proper assortment of eye pieces, sun-shades, etc., sun spots can be 
delightfully studied, the moon’s surface thoroughly mapped, follow- 
ing the mountain ranges distinctly, locating with ease almost 
numberless craters and isolated individual lunar mountains; the 
phases of Mercury and Venus can be traced ; the snowcaps of Mars, 
when the planet is favorable for observations, and other markings 
can be seen. Jupiter, with his belts and moons; Saturn, with 
her rings, showing belts and some of her sattelites; even those 
