"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 marvels at the serendipitous origins of major scientific breakthroughs, using the creation of the great Washington telescope and the subsequent discovery of the moons of Mars as a case in point. He suggests that most transformative movements in science have roots that are more deliberate or planned, involving rigorous premeditation, theoretical exploration, or a collective pursuit of knowledge. Yet, in contrast, the series of events that led to the establishment of the Washington telescope stands out for its sheer happenstance, a pure, almost whimsical accident set the process in motion, leading not only to the construction of a major astronomical instrument but also to a momentous discovery in planetary science.

Newcomb’s reflection raises the idea that science, despite its reputation for methodical and rational progress, is at times propelled by unexpected and almost random occurrences. It is not always a sequence of calculated steps, but sometimes a fortuitous alignment of circumstances that opens new paths of discovery. The tone carries both amazement and appreciation for this element of unpredictability. In pinpointing the Washington telescope as the origin, Newcomb acknowledges how a seemingly minor or accidental event can spark a chain reaction whose influence echoes through the scientific community and history itself.

The case of the satellites of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, exemplifies how new tools or technologies, erected for one purpose or from arbitrary beginnings, can enable astronomers to perceive what had been previously invisible. Newcomb implies that such moments are scarce; truly significant advances typically emerge from clear intention and persistent effort, not from fortuity. The uniqueness of the Washington telescope’s story, therefore, lies not simply in its scientific output, but in the improbability of its inception, a testament to the idea that while structure and discipline shape scientific inquiry, the unpredictable can punctuate its progress with transformative power. Newcomb encourages a recognition of, and perhaps even a receptivity to, the accidental in scientific progress.