Bibliograph

The sky atlas, the greatest maps, myths and discoveries of the universe, Edward Brooke-Hitching

Type

Label

The sky atlas, the greatest maps, myths and discoveries of the universe, Edward Brooke-Hitching

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (page 248) and index

Illustrations

illustrationsmaps

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The sky atlas

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1119531714

Responsibility statement

Edward Brooke-Hitching

Sub title

the greatest maps, myths and discoveries of the universe

Summary

"THE SKY ATLAS assembles some of the most beautiful maps and charts ever created to understand the skies above us. This richly illustrated treasury showcases the finest examples of celestial cartography-a glorious art often overlooked by modern map books-as well as medieval manuscripts, masterpiece paintings, ancient star catalogues, antique instruments, and other curiosities. This is the sky as it has never been presented before: the realm of stars and planets, but also of gods, devils, weather wizards, flying sailors, ancient aliens, mythological animals, and rampaging spirits. Here are the crystal cosmos of the ancient Greeks; the medieval sea, sailed by ships above the clouds; Tibetan sky burials; secret messages hidden in starlight, and much more. With thrilling stories and gorgeous artwork, this remarkable atlas explores our fascination with the sky across time and cultures to form an extraordinary chronicle of cosmic imagination and discovery"-- Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

Introduction -- The ancient sky. Prehistoric stargazing ; The ancient Babylonians ; The sky-watchers of ancient China ; Ancient Egyptian astronomy ; The ancient Greeks ; The heavenly spheres ; The Ptolemaic cosmos ; The Jain universe -- The medieval sky. The rise of Islamic astronomy ; Inventing the star-taker ; Islamic celestial works reach Europe ; European astronomy ; The new study of the sky ; The sea above the sky ; Capturing the cosmos: clockwork and the printing press ; Celestial phenomena: part one ; Mesoamerica -- The scientific sky. The Copernican revolution ; Tycho Brahe ; Johannes Kepler ; Galileo Galilei ; The Cartesian Universe ; Johannes Hevelius maps the moon ; Newtonian physics ; Halley's Comet -- The modern sky. William and Caroline Herschel ; Coining the asteroid ; John Herschel and the great moon hoax ; Neptune identified ; The phantom planet: Vulcan ; Spectroscopy and the dawn of astrophysics ; Celestial phenomena: part two ; Percival Lowell spies life on Mars ; The search for Planet X and the discovery of Pluto ; Organizing the stars: 'Pickering's women' ; New visions of the universe: Einstein, LemaЄitre and Hubble ; Breakthroughs of the Twentieth Century, and beyond -- Afterword

Classification