Astronomy as a science began with the Ionian philosophers; with whom Greek philosophy and mathematics also began. While the Egyptians and Babylonians had accomplished much of astronomical worth; it remained for the unrivalled speculative genius of the Greeks; in particular; their mathematical genius; to lay the foundations of the true science of astronomy. In this classic study; a noted scholar discusses in lucid detail the specific advances made by the Greeks; many of whose ideas anticipated the discoveries of modern astronomy.Pythagoras; born at Samos about 572 B.C.; was probably the first to hold that the earth is spherical in shape; while his later followers anticipated Copernicus with the then-startling hypothesis that the earth was not the center of the universe but a planet like the others. Heraclides of Pontus (c. 388ndash;315 B.C.); a pupil of Plato; declared that the apparent daily rotation of the heavenly bodies is due; not to a rotation of the heavenly sphere about an axis through the center of the earth; but to the rotation of the earth itself around its own axis. Secondly; Heraclides discovered that Venus and Mercury revolve around the sun like satellites. Perhaps the greatest astronomer of antiquity was Hipparchus; who flourished between 161 and 126 B.C. He compiled a catalog of fixed stars to the number 850 or more; made great improvements in the instruments used for astronomical observations; and discovered the precession of the equinoxes; among other accomplishments. The astronomy of Hipparchus takes its definitive form in the Syntaxis (commonly called the Almagest) of Ptolemy; written about A.D. 150; which held the field until the time of Copernicus.The extraordinary achievements of these and many more Greek theorists are given full coverage in this erudite account; which blends exceptional clarity with a readable style to produce a work that is not only indispensable for astronomers and historians of science but easily accessible to science-minded lay readers.
#1824603 in eBooks 2012-04-30 2012-04-30File Name: B00A73A96A
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Interesting and well-researched bookBy Rosemary ThorntonAnd I learned a lot of curious and odd little details that I thought were utterly fascinating. Tom Fetters is *the man* when it comes to Lustron Homes. Plus; the book is filled with dozens of vintage photos and brochures and ephemera. As an architectural writer; I loved the vintage graphics and old-fashioned 1950s advertising copy. What a hoot!The only drawback is that the text is a little dry and a bit too technical in places. A small complaint; I know; but that aside; its a good book and remains the definitive book on Lustron Homes.Rose Thorntonauthor; The Houses That Sears Built0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Lustron ReadBy mikeWell written and very comprehensive. For Lustron folks the book is a must.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy ejonesWe love it! The written history is interesting and the listing of Lustron house locations is helpful. Very complete!