“In future… we shall look upon those regions into which we may now penetrate by means of such large telescopes, as a naturalist regards a rich extent of ground or chain of mountains containing strata variously inclined and directed, as well as consisting of very different materials. The surface of a globe or map therefore will but ill delineate the interior parts of the heavens.”

Source: Sir William Herschel: His Life and Works (1880), Ch.4 "Life and Works" from a memoir (1784).

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William Herschel 36
German-born British astronomer, technical expert, and compo… 1738–1822

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