SECTION XXXVI.. The Fixed Stars—Their Number—the Milky Way—Double Stars—Binary

The Fixed Stars—Their Number—The Milky Way—Double Stars—Binary Systems—Their Orbits and Periodic Times—Colours of the Stars—Stars that have vanished—Variable Stars—Variation in Sun’s Light—Parallax and Distances of the Fixed Stars—Masses of the Stars—Comparative Light of the Stars—Proper Motions of the Stars—Apparent Motions of the Stars—Motion and Velocity of the Sun and Solar System—The Nebulæ—Their Number—Catalogue of them—Consist of Two Classes—Diffuse Nebulæ—Definitely formed Nebulæ—Globular Clusters—Splendour of Milky Way—Distribution of the Nebulæ—The Magellanic Clouds—Nebulæ round η Argûs—Constitution of Nebulæ, and the Forces that maintain them—Meteorites and Shooting Stars

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