Excerpt from The Recent Progress of Astronomy: Especially in the United States These observations are all permanently recorded by a simple touch of the finger upon a key which closes an electric circuit - a method recently introduced at Greenwich observatory, and known everywhere throughout Europe by the distinctive name of the American method. Numerous discoveries have been the result of this astronomical activity. A large number of comets have been independently discovered on this side of the Atlantic; and among these, three at least were observed here before they were seen in Europe. The two nebulae which have been longest and best known, were never adequately figured until they were observed by the Messrs. Bond; and the planet Saturn, which for many years was made the subject of special study by the elder Herschel, with his wonderful means of observation, first revealed to the Messrs. Bond a new ring and an eighth satellite. The novel spectacle of a comet divided into two nearly equal portions, was first witnessed in America; and an American observer has added one to the long list of planetary discoveries. Let us indulge the hope that the future progress of astronomy is to be no less brilliant than the past; and that henceforth America may be even more distinguished for her contributions to science, than for her progress in material power and wealth. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.