A scientist naturally and inevitably ... mulls over the data and guesses at a solution. He proceeds to testing of the guess by new data-predicting the consequences of the guess and then dispassionately inquiring whether or not the predictions are verified.

I knew that even if I were second or third rate, it was astronomy that mattered.

The great spirals... apparently lie outside our stellar system.

The universe is unfolding as it should.

Past time is finite, future time is infinite.

Observation always involves theory.

The great spirals, with their enormous radial velocities and insensible proper motions, apparently lie outside our Solar system.