A hill may have been built up by a glacier, while a mountain may be the product of volcanic forces or of the upheaval of the strata of the planet.

Camelopardalus is a very inconspicuous constellation, yet it furnishes considerable occupation for the telescope.

The story of the first scientific observation of the corona and the prominences is thrillingly interesting, and in fact dramatic.

Nobody who has not seen the moon with a telescope—it need not be a large one—can form a correct and definite idea of what the moon is like.

“This tunnel,” said Dr. Syx, “leads to the mine head, where the ore-bearing rock is blasted.”

It is called “The Zodiacal Light,” because it lies within the broad circle of the Zodiac, marking the sun’s apparent annual path through the stars.

The narrow sickle of the new moon, hanging above the sunset, is a charming telescopic sight.

Gold in its palmiest days had never enjoyed such a vogue.

That Day of Wrath, O dreadful day,
When Heaven and Earth shall pass away,
As David and the Sibyl say

"even if the power of our telescopes were increased a hundredfold, and consequently no such systems are known."

“It is my belief that Dr. Max Syx is a deceiver.”

The possession of the spectroscope has enabled astronomers during later years to study the chemical composition of comets by analyzing their light.

The fragments of a comet had struck the earth.

One cannot but regret that the moon, if it ever was the seat of intelligent life, has not remained so until our time.

Certain other difficulties have also to be met; as, for instance, the relative coldness of the climate of Mars.

Atoms, therefore, which grow old in consequence of the diminution of a part of their intra-atomic energy gradually lose their stability.

“My dear fellow,” said Hall, laying his hand on my shoulder, “until I see the end of that mystery I shall think of nothing else.”

“Well! well!” I broke in, greatly astonished by Hall’s singular recital, “you must have thought Dr. Syx was a cross between an alchemist and an astrologer.”

My friend’s gloomy prognostications came near being fulfilled to the letter.

“Why, there he is now! Funny I never noticed it before. There’s Dr. Syx’s face in the moon, as plain as day.”