Solar System Maps: From Antiquity To The Space Age (springer Praxis Books / Popular Astronomy)
by Nick Kanas /
2013 / English / PDF, EPUB
171.5 MB Download
In recent years, there has been increased interest in our Solar
System. This has been prompted by the launching of giant orbiting
telescopes and space probes, the discovery of new planetary moons
and heavenly bodies that orbit the Sun, and the demotion of Pluto
as a planet. In one generation, our place in the heavens has been
challenged, but this is not unusual. Throughout history, there
have been a number of such world views. Initially, Earth was seen
as the center of the universe and surrounded by orbiting planets
and stars. Then the Sun became the center of the cosmos. Finally,
there was no center, just a vast array of galaxies with
individual stars, some with their own retinue of planets. This
allowed our Solar System to be differentiated from deep-sky
objects, but it didn’t lose its mystery as more and more
remarkable bodies were discovered within its boundaries.
In recent years, there has been increased interest in our Solar
System. This has been prompted by the launching of giant orbiting
telescopes and space probes, the discovery of new planetary moons
and heavenly bodies that orbit the Sun, and the demotion of Pluto
as a planet. In one generation, our place in the heavens has been
challenged, but this is not unusual. Throughout history, there
have been a number of such world views. Initially, Earth was seen
as the center of the universe and surrounded by orbiting planets
and stars. Then the Sun became the center of the cosmos. Finally,
there was no center, just a vast array of galaxies with
individual stars, some with their own retinue of planets. This
allowed our Solar System to be differentiated from deep-sky
objects, but it didn’t lose its mystery as more and more
remarkable bodies were discovered within its boundaries.
This book tells the exciting story of how we have conceptualized
and mapped our Solar System from antiquity to modern times. In
addition to the complete text, this story is made more vivid by:
This book tells the exciting story of how we have conceptualized
and mapped our Solar System from antiquity to modern times. In
addition to the complete text, this story is made more vivid by:
• 162 Solar System and planetary maps, diagrams, and images (over
a third in color);
• 162 Solar System and planetary maps, diagrams, and images (over
a third in color);
• direct quotes and figures from antiquarian, contemporary, and
Space Age documents and photographs that allow the reader to
track how humans have viewed the Solar System from original
sources;
• direct quotes and figures from antiquarian, contemporary, and
Space Age documents and photographs that allow the reader to
track how humans have viewed the Solar System from original
sources;
• nine tables that compare the various world views, relative
planetary positions, and components of the Solar System with each
other.
• nine tables that compare the various world views, relative
planetary positions, and components of the Solar System with each
other.
Broad in scope and rich in imagery, this book will draw the
reader into the story of our Solar System and how it has been
mapped since the beginning of recorded time.
Broad in scope and rich in imagery, this book will draw the
reader into the story of our Solar System and how it has been
mapped since the beginning of recorded time.