Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Double-Star Astronomy: Containing the History of Double-Star Work; Computation of Orbits and Position of Orbit-Planes; Formulae in Connection With Mass, Parallax, Magnitude, Etc
Making altogether 4555 multiple stars, of which 3346 were new.
Amongst the notes in the first catalogue published in 1825, I find the following answer to a pertinent question frequently asked in other departments of astronomy, and double-star Observers should act on the hint conveyed in the following lines It may be enquired why we should aim at increasing our list of double stars already so numerous, and why this list should be carried down to such minute objects. To such a question I apprehend the answer may be found in this consideration the labour of the Astronomer is much like that of one who should examine, grain by grain, the sands of the sea, in the certainty that among them numerous grains must exist of extraordinary value, or of singular properties. The more individuals our search embraces of a class which has already proved productive, the greater our chance of further success; and so long as no presumption d prion: can be adduced why the most minute star in the heavens should not give us that very information respecting parallax, proper motion, and an infinity of other interesting points which we are in search of, and yet may never obtain from its brighter rivals, the minuteness of an object is no reason for neglecting its examination. But if small stars are to be watched, it is necessary they should be known; nor need we fear that the list will become overwhelming. It will be curtailed at one end, by the rejection of uninteresting and uninstructive objects, as fast as it is increased by new candidates.
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