Side-Lights on Astronomy and Kindred Fields of Popular Science

A collection of essays and addresses presenting popular explanations of astronomical topics and related scientific subjects. It surveys unresolved and new problems in astronomy, examines the structure, scale, and possible duration of the universe, and describes observational methods and telescope construction. Other pieces explain planetary mass determination, star spectra, the nautical almanac, magnetic compasses, and the search for life beyond Earth, and consider practical questions such as rainmaking and early aeronautical prospects. Interwoven are reflections on the organization and evolution of scientific research, the development of astronomical knowledge, and the social implications of scientific method.