Abstract
L'Astronomie: Revue mensuelle d'Astronomie populaire, de Météorologie, et de Physique du Globe, January 1887.—We have received the January number of the above periodical, edited by Camille Flammarion. M. Flammarion has done a great work in popularising astronomy in France, and the success which has attended this review—for it is entering on its sixth year— proves how widespread an interest is now taken in the science in that country. The present number contains an “Annuaire astronomique pour 1887,” by the editor, a series of descriptive notes of a general character on the principal objects of astronomical observation for the current year, the sun, moon, eclipses, occupations, and the planets. M. Daubrée follows with a paper on some recent meteorites. M. Flammarion gives an account of the storms of October 16 and December 8, and of the general principles of weather prophecy. The notes chiefly relate to the two comets of the season, those of Barnard and Finlay, three diagrams being given of the first, showing the posr tion and character of the two tails, and one of the second. A sort of general observing ephemeris for the month January 15 to February 15, of a popular rather than of a scientific character, concludes the number. M. Flammarion and his co-workers frequently affect a somewhat magniloquent and sensational style, and deal principally with the more popular, easy, and interesting aspects of astronomy; the wonders of our own globe, earthquakes, volcanoes, &c., receive much attention, so that the field embraced is not confined to pure astronomy alone. But after every allowance is made and every drawback admitted, L'Astronomie has done much good in circulating astronomical information and in arousing and fostering scientific tastes, and it must be confessed that for an astronomical journal containing forty well-printed imperial octavo pages and, as in this case, more than thirty illustrations, to command a remunerative circulation at the price of a franc a number is highly creditable alike to editor, to publishers, and to the public which supports it. 11 may well be doubted whether such an enterprise would mee1 with the same success either here or in America.
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Scientific Serials . Nature 35, 310 (1887). https://doi.org/10.1038/035310a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/035310a0