146 ASTRONOMYANDTHEBIBLE"Havingaccomplishedthismuch,thisgreatastrono-
merattemptedtheresolutionofthegrandproblemof
thesun'smovementthroughspace. Thisinvestigation
is solofty,so daringandutterlyincomprehensibleat
thefirstglance,thatitsmereannouncementproduces
littleeffecton themind. Consider for one moment
whatitinvolves. Man islocatedonaplanetalmost
infinitelylarger thanhimself. This planetis swiftly
revolvingon itsaxis,and inits orbit roundagreat
central luminary, the sun. The daring philosopher
participatesinallthesemotions. Heprovideshimself
with instruments which measure the distances and
positions of thealmost infinitely distant fixed stars.
These fixedstars, when subjected tohis criticalex-
amination,ceasetobefixed,andarefoundtobemov-
ingwithastonishingvelocityinalldirections. Among
these he numbers hisown sun; and although borne
alongintheprogressivemotionofhisowngreatcen-
ter,he ventures toattempt thedeterminationof the
fact of its actual motion, the direction in which it
moves, and the velocity with which it is sweeping
throughspace.
"Afterasextendedanexaminationasthedatawith
whichhewasthenfurnishedpermitted,Herschelan-
nouncedhisbeliefthatthesolar systemwasmoving
throughspace towardapointintheconstellation of
Hercules.
"The announcementofthis astonishing resultwas
receivedwithhesitationand doubtbythebestliving
astronomer,andHerscheldiedbeforeanyconfirmation
ofhisgreattheoryhadbeenobtained. Afterhisdeath,