Agnes Mary Clerke

Agnes Mary Clerke (10 February 1842 – 20 January 1907) was an Irish astronomer who wrote popular books on astronomy and its history.

History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century (1885; 3rd ed 1893)

 * 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.
 * Of the Greek approach to astronomy; p. 1.


 * 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?
 * Of the Sun; p. 64-5.

The System of the Stars (1890)

 * Thus, not merely what it can do, but the rate at which it can do it, has to be considered in estimating the value of photography as an ally in astronomy.
 * p. 33.


 * 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.
 * Of the nature of any planetary system round the double star Alpha Centauri; p. 168.