Page:In the high heavens.djvu/108

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104
IN THE HIGH HEAVENS.

now we are told on the best authority that there is something to be seen in it which had eluded all the eyes that ever looked at it before. This is indeed a surprise. Those who have good telescopes will think on the fortune which might conceivably have smiled on them, if perchance the satellite had presented itself on one of those rare occasions when it might have come within the reach of instruments less powerful than that by which it was actually discovered. The mathematical astronomers to whom the problem of Jupiter has ever been an attractive though a very difficult subject will find that the new satellite imparts an entirely fresh aspect to the question. It will now, doubtless, be attacked again with a quickened interest, and it is certain that the movements of the newly discovered body will suggest considerations of great theoretical importance. It is even quite possible that its detection may have the effect of removing some of the difficulties that have hitherto been experienced in the attempts to interpret the movements of the four older bodies.

The Lick Observatory had already become famous from the numerous valuable observations which have been made within the last few years. We certainly mean no disparagement to its previous achievements when we say that they have been altogether cast in the shade by the announcement of the last discovery which has been made on the summit of Mount Hamilton. We fully appreciate the splendid series of double-star discoveries by Burnham. We recognise the value of the observations of Mars, of the beautiful lunar photographs, of the admirable and instructive spectroscopic work of Keeler, but from henceforth it would seem that the Lick telescope must be chiefly remembered, not for these admirable labours, but as the