Astronomy Through the Ages: The Story Of The Human Attempt To Understand The UniverseFrom an historical perspective, this text presents an entirely non- mathematical introduction to astronomy from the first endeavours of the ancients to the current developments in research enabled by cutting edge technological advances. Free of mathematics and complex graphs, the book nevertheless explains deep concepts of space and time, of relativity and quantum mechanics, and of origin and nature of the universe. It conveys not only the intrinsic fascination of the subject, but also the human side and the scientific method as practised by Kepler, defined and elucidated by Galileo, and then demonstrated by Newton. |
Contents
THE EARLY DEVELOPMENTS IN ASTRONOMY | |
The Beginning | |
Ancient Astronomy | |
The Greeks | |
The Interlude | |
The Renaissance | |
The New Natural Philosophy | |
Astronomy in the Early Twentieth Century | |
MODERN ASTRONOMY | |
The New Astronomies | |
Probing the Solar System | |
The Stars their Birth Life and Death | |
The Great Postwar Astronomical Discoveries | |
The Nature Origin and Evolution of the Universe | |
THE ERA OF THE TELESCOPE | |
The Classical PostNewtonian Period | |
Epilogue | |
Glossary | |
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Common terms and phrases
Aristarchus Aristotle astronomical astronomical unit atomic number big bang binary bodies bright calendar carbon caused celestial cent centre century colour Copernicus core cosmic cosmology detected determined disk distance Earth Earth’s atmosphere effect Einstein electromagnetic electron elliptical emission emitted energy evolution frequency galaxy Galileo gamma rays globular clusters gravitational field heavier elements helium Hence Hipparchus human hydrogen immense infrared interstellar interstellar medium Kepler kilometres per second known magnetic field major Mars mass massive stars matter measured Milky Moon motion nature nebula neutrinos neutron star Newton nuclear nucleus object observations Observatory optical orbit parallax particles period physics planetary planets Plate predicted problem protons Ptolemy pulsar quantum quasar radiation radio relativity result revealed rotating scientific solar masses Solar System spectral spectrum spiral stellar studies Sun’s supernova telescope temperature theory thermonuclear thousand Tycho ultraviolet Universe uranium velocity of light wave wavelength white dwarf X-ray