Agnes Mary Clerke quotes

Agnes Mary Clerke was an Irish astronomer and science writer renowned for her popular works on the history of astronomy. Her books and articles brought astronomical discoveries and scientific knowledge to a broad audience. She contributed significantly to the understanding of astrophysics and continues to inspire those interested in the cosmos. Here are 4 of her quotes:

Comets encountering these precincts must be perplexed to decide between the two potentates claiming their allegiance, and perhaps on occasions pay their court to each in turns, throwing out tails, as they do so, in all sorts of anomalous and contradictory directions.

Agnes Mary Clerke

Is it not reasonable to think that by far the greater part is solid and dark, and that this immense globe is encompassed with a thin covering of that resplendent substance from which the sun would seem to derive the whole of his vivifying heat and energy?

Agnes Mary Clerke

The planets revolved in circles because it was in their nature to do so, just as laudanum sends to sleep because it possesses a virtus dormitiva.

Agnes Mary Clerke