What is our place in the cosmos? How big is the universe? No science has a more ancient lineage, or a greater capacity to awaken our sense of wonder, than astronomy and cosmology. With a witty and accessible style, John North tracks the development of celestial knowledge from prehistory to Stephen Hawking and the Hubble Space Telescope. North shows how the seasonal motions of sun, moon, and stars triggered the first efforts at systematic astronomy, from the megalithic observatory at Stonehenge to the achievements of ...
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What is our place in the cosmos? How big is the universe? No science has a more ancient lineage, or a greater capacity to awaken our sense of wonder, than astronomy and cosmology. With a witty and accessible style, John North tracks the development of celestial knowledge from prehistory to Stephen Hawking and the Hubble Space Telescope. North shows how the seasonal motions of sun, moon, and stars triggered the first efforts at systematic astronomy, from the megalithic observatory at Stonehenge to the achievements of astronomers in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome, India, China, and Central and South America. He recounts how, despite false starts, blind alleys, and missed connections, astronomical knowledge slowly accumulated until the synthesis of Islamic and medieval Christian science set the stage for the revolution in understanding brought about by Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton. Carrying this fascinating scientific journey through to the present, North tells how the insights of Einstein and others transformed the Newtonian universe into one of relativity, quantum particles, black holes, and the big bang. The result is a brilliant, engaging history of humanity's quest to understand how the universe works.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Hardcover This item shows wear from consistent use but remains in good readable condition. It may have marks on or in it, and may show other signs of previous use or shelf wear. May have minor creases or signs of wear on dust jacket. Packed with care, shipped promptly.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. History, Science. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Clean and tight. No creases along the spine but a little curl to the covers. Name on the inside of the front cover. First Paperback Printing.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. NICE BOOK! FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. NO SPINE CREASES, MILD WEAR & CORNER BENDS ON COVER. LIGHTLY AGED PAGES, NO MARKINGS IN TEXT. "Description: In this book, the author recounts the development of celestial knowledge from prehistory to Stephen Hawking and the Hubble Space Telescope, from the megalithic observatory at Stonehenge, through the great early civilizations of the Maya, Egypt, and China, to the discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and the scientists of our own day. The result is a brilliant, engaging history of humanity's quest to understand its place in the cosmos."
