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Understanding the Heavens: Thirty Centuries of Astronomical Ideas from Ancient
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Understanding the Heavens: Thirty Centuries of Astronomical Ideas from Ancient Thinking to Modern Cosmology Hardcover - 2001 - 2001st Edition

by S. Kaufman (Associate Editor); Jean-Claude Pecker

From its beginnings, astronomy has attempted to explain not only what the universe is and how it works, but also its origins, evolution, and future. Richly illustrated, this book traces astronomical thought from Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece, through the European golden age of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler and Newton, and up to the latest modern theories of cosmology.


From the publisher

The author, a well-known astronomer himself, describes the evolution of astronomical ideas, touching only lightly on most of the instrumental developments. Richly illustrated, the book starts with the astronomical ideas of the Egyptian and Mesopotamian philosophers, moves on to the Greek period and then on to the golden age of astronomy, that of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler and Newton. Finally, Pecker concludes with modern theories of cosmology. Written with astronomy undergraduates in mind, this is a fascinating survey of astronomical thinking.

First line

Thousands of books have been written about the history of science, notably about the history of astronomy.

From the rear cover

Astronomy is the oldest and most fundamental of the natural sciences. From the early beginnings of civilization astronomers have attempted to explain not only what the Universe is and how it works, but also how it started, how it evolved to the present day, and how it will develop in the future. The author, a well-known astronomer himself, describes the evolution of astronomical ideas, briefly discussing most of the instrumental developments. Using numerous figures to elucidate the mechanisms involved, the book starts with the astronomical ideas of the Egyptian and Mesopotamian philosophers, moves on to the Greek period, and then to the golden age of astronomy, i.e. to Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and Newton, and ends with modern theories of cosmology. Written with undergraduate students in mind, this book gives a fascinating survey of astronomical thinking.

Details

  • Title Understanding the Heavens: Thirty Centuries of Astronomical Ideas from Ancient Thinking to Modern Cosmology
  • Author S. Kaufman (Associate Editor); Jean-Claude Pecker
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition number 2001st
  • Edition 2001
  • Pages 597
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Springer
  • Date 2001-04-24
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9783540631989 / 3540631984
  • Weight 2.51 lbs (1.14 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.44 x 6.44 x 1.26 in (23.98 x 16.36 x 3.20 cm)
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 00024396
  • Dewey Decimal Code 520.9

Media reviews

Citations

  • Choice, 12/01/2001, Page 707
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Understanding the Heavens
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Understanding the Heavens

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