Compiled by Thomas Heath, B.A., Edinburgh with 21 double-page chromolithographed plates by W. & A.K. Johnston. The plates are beautifully printed and cover the Solar System, Planets, Solar Spots, The Moon, Eclipses, Comets, Double Stars, Tracks of Meteors and several plates describing the Stars and Constellations. There is also a remarkable and colorful plate, Spectrum Analysis Applied to the Sun and Stars, that compares the spectrum of the Sun, Vega, Nebula and a New Star to that of Hydrogen, Sodium, Magnesium, Bismuth and Calcium. The American astronomer Henry Draper made a spectrum photograph of Vega in 1872, the first time spectrum analysis was employed for astronomy. A remarkable set of plates. 4to, colored frontis, title, 121pp, index, 21 plates. Hardbound in blue cloth with illustrated, gilt and embossed front cover.

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Condition: A

Binding is sunned at spine. The plates are fine to very good, the text pages generally very clean with no flaws.