When we say that astronomy is an earthly science, we mean to imply that the heaven and the phenomena there apparent cannot be studied otherwise than as seen from the earth. Therefore astronomy is not a heavenly science, it consists solely of such ideas as we are able to form, that which we see on the heaven.
It is not astronomy that is grand, compared with the vast objects with which it deals it dwindles to insignificance, and we may say that to speak of it as being a science of the "heavenly mechanism," nay more of the "laws of the universe," is sheer nonsense. The universe must be for us a mere term, which does not convey any tangible idea to our minds.
As only a very small portion of the heavenly space and its contents is visible to our eyes, astronomy—whatever may be the magnifying power placed at its disposal—must be confined within the limits of our vision and can therefore be no more than a small fragment.
In the positive sense of the word, astronomy is more especially a science of observation, which is its only, but real and successful power. It may be said that astronomy has raised observation to a science, and its immense importance becomes more and more prominent as the explicative science loses in value; which is the more easily accounted for by the fact that observation will finally bring about the overthrow of all untenable theories.
We see the heaven as we fly along, the earth whirls us with itself through space, hence astronomy cannot make any drawing room experiment, it cannot reproduce any of the heavenly phenomena, it can do nothing but observe. If therefore the science of astronomy be more especially an observative science, that which it does not and cannot observe, must be for it as good as not existent. But astronomy may, in addition, be designated the science of observation of the apparent things, things as they seem to be, for it is unable to see or regard the heavenly phenomena otherwise than they present themselves to it. Astronomy is not permitted to observe realities.
If therefore observation is itself a science, it must necessarily be the basis of theory; observation may be set aside—which is what is actually done—in this way we may plod on, we may term our labour what we please; but whatever is produced in this way is not astronomy.
But that glorious science whose sublime object is alone able to unfetter the mind of poor humanity—Astronomy—has a future before it. Any such as feel themselves called upon to study seriously the phenomena of nature, may set about the task. The sun is a sure guide.
The great mass of astronomical observations are almost exclusively of European origin, those which in later times have been made in other parts of the earth, are of a special character—they refer for the most part to the stars and are not numerous enough to furnish any general view, but here the question is of establishing a universal astronomy available for the whole earth, which, founded on the actual type of the phenomena, will become the result of science.
With respect to astronomical knowledge and its dissemination, the discovery and proving of this type of the phenomena is of the greatest importance, they must be found out not by calculation, but by actual observation. When discovered, a large number of important and still undecided problems will be advanced towards solution.
It may be asked: how and where shall we however find this original type? and the earth itself supplies the answer by means of its—Equator. No observer, placed either north or south the equator, can see the two poles of the heaven at once, he cannot see the whole heavenly sphere; at the equator the entire splendour of the firmament passes before his eyes during the space of—12 hours.