
A TEXT-BOOK OF ASTRONOMY - BY - GEORGE C. COMSTOCK
PREFACE
LIST OF LITHOGRAPHIC PLATES
LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS
CHAPTER I - DIFFERENT KINDS OF MEASUREMENT
CHAPTER II - THE STARS AND THEIR DIURNAL MOTION
CHAPTER III - FIXED AND WANDERING STARS
CHAPTER IV - CELESTIAL MECHANICS
CHAPTER V - THE EARTH AS A PLANET
CHAPTER VI - THE MEASUREMENT OF TIME
This guide invites students and teachers to explore astronomy through hands‑on observation rather than abstract theory. Emphasizing precise measurement, it walks readers through the basics of timing, angular calculations, and the use of modest instruments that can be crafted in a school workshop. By concentrating on the parts of the sky that lend themselves to simple experiments, the text makes the heavens accessible to anyone with a clear night and a curiosity for the stars.
The book is richly illustrated with clear star maps, planetary diagrams, and detailed lunar sketches, all designed to complement practical activities. It suggests seasonal observing schedules, outlines how to build tools such as protractors, and encourages the use of affordable equipment like a watch and a basic telescope. Supplementary reading lists and suggestions for integrating contemporary astronomy magazines help turn the classroom into a lively hub for ongoing discovery.
Language
en
Duration
~10 hours (617K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Iris Schimandle, Lindy Walsh and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Jan 3, 2011
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1855–1934
Known for turning astronomy into clear, practical study, this American astronomer and teacher wrote textbooks that helped generations of students and engineers understand the sky. His work combined careful science with a gift for explanation.
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