Astronomer Quotes

We must make it clear that the scientific vision of the world is neither a rival nor an alternative to any other point of view, but is an essential part of learning to be at home in this mysterious universe.

The function of the scientist is to attain new truths by conquering them from the limitless realm of the unknown, and whether they be brilliant or otherwise, none is too small or insignificant in aspect to deserve his earnest search or joyful welcome.

The erection of artificial worlds in space is inevitable. Once man's breakthrough into space has begun, it will be as inversible as the discovery, colonization, and exploration of new countries during the age of great historical discoveries.

Iosif Shklovsky
Iosif Shklovsky
The stars are the crucibles of the Creator.

David Gill (astronomer)
David Gill (astronomer)
Undoubtedly one of the greatest difficulties, if not the greatest of all, in the way of obtaining an understanding of the real distribution of stars in space, lies in our uncertainty about the amount of loss suffered by the light of the stars on its way to the observer.

Jacobus Kapteyn
Jacobus Kapteyn
Counting stars is not unlike counting people or sheep or pebbles on the seashore. The astronomer's difficulties are not in the counting, but rather in knowing when the counting must start and stop.

When theory runs too far ahead of what can be measured, a field becomes more philosophy than science.