Famous quote by Simon Newcomb

Mobile Desktop
One hardly knows where, in the history of science, to look for an important movement that had its effective start in so
Like

"One hardly knows where, in the history of science, to look for an important movement that had its effective start in so pure and simple an accident as that which led to the building of the great Washington telescope, and went on to the discovery of the satellites of Mars"

- Simon Newcomb

About this Quote

This quote by Simon Newcomb is describing the discovery of the satellites of Mars by the astronomer Asaph Hall in 1877. Hall was working at the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC and was utilizing a large telescope to observe the night sky. One night, while taking a look at Mars, he noticed two faint stars that he had actually not seen prior to. After more observation, he understood that these were 2 moons orbiting Mars. This discovery was a major development in the history of science and was made possible by the big telescope at the US Naval Observatory. This quote is highlighting the significance of the telescope and the role it played in the discovery of the satellites of Mars. It also highlights the importance of chance and how an apparently small and irrelevant event can lead to a significant advancement in science.

About the Author

Canada Flag This quote is written / told by Simon Newcomb between March 12, 1835 and July 11, 1909. He/she was a famous Mathematician from Canada. The author also have 27 other quotes.

Go to author profile

Similar Quotes

Small: It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without
Jose Rizal
"It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice"
Jose Rizal, Writer
Small: The past actually happened but history is only what someone wrote down - A. Whitney Brown
"The past actually happened but history is only what someone wrote down"
A. Whitney Brown, Comedian
Small: The referee is going to be the most important person in the ring tonight besides the fighters - George Foreman
George Foreman
"The referee is going to be the most important person in the ring tonight besides the fighters"
George Foreman, Athlete
Small: Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon t
William Shakespeare
"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them"
William Shakespeare, Dramatist
Small: Behind every great fortune lies a great crime - Honore de Balzac
Honore de Balzac
"Behind every great fortune lies a great crime"
Honore de Balzac, Novelist
Small: Men are only as great as they are kind - Elbert Hubbard
Elbert Hubbard
"Men are only as great as they are kind"
Elbert Hubbard, Writer
Small: Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage - H. L. Mencken
H. L. Mencken
"Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage"
H. L. Mencken, Writer
Small: Science never solves a problem without creating ten more - George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw
"Science never solves a problem without creating ten more"
George Bernard Shaw, Dramatist
Small: Hes by best friend and the father of my children. Hes a great ex - Sarah Ferguson
"He's by best friend and the father of my children. He's a great ex"
Sarah Ferguson, Author
Small: History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon - Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte
"History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon"
Napoleon Bonaparte, Leader