FIXED STARS
Reading edition
The so-called “fixed” stars are those which do not appear to change their positions in the heavens for long periods of time together. There are, of course, no “fixed” stars at all since every celestial body is moving with greater or lesser rapidity through space; but these stars are so far distant from us that such movements are inappreciable, even after long periods of time, and in spite of the most careful observations. In comparison with the more rapidly moving heavenly bodies, they do not appear to “move,” and have been denominated “fixed stars” in consequence.