When we say that the sun will eclipse on such and such day...

When we say that the sun will eclipse on such and such day or say that the moon will eclipse on such and such night. We express a scientific question in the form of a definite statement and not a conditional statement. In such cases it is not within human power to change the conditions or the circumstances of the matter in question because it is not conditional. When we say that the sun or that the moon will eclipse, though we speak with reference to the future, we make a firm statement.

The same is true of the weather forecasts based on scientific laws. When it is said that it will rain in such and such area, the statement is firm and…