Sun, Moon, Earth : the history of solar eclipses, from omens of doom to Einstein and exoplanets / Tyler Nordgren.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nordgren, Tyler E. (Tyler Eugene), 1969- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Solar eclipses.

Physical Description:

xiii, 239 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color), color maps ; 22 cm

Other Title:

History of solar eclipses, from omens of doom to Einstein and exoplanets

Place of Publication:

New York : Basic Books, [2016]

Summary:

"On August 21, 2017, more than ten million Americans will experience an awe-inspiring phenomenon: the first total eclipse of the sun in America in almost forty years. In Sun Moon Earth, astronomer Tyler Nordgren illustrates how this most seemingly unnatural of natural phenomena was transformed from a fearsome omen to a tourist attraction. From the astrologers of ancient China and Babylon to the high priests of the Maya, Sun Moon Earth takes us around the world to show how different cultures interpreted these dramatic events. Greek philosophers discovered eclipses' cause and used them to measure their world and the cosmos beyond. Victorian-era scientists mounted eclipse expeditions during the age of globe-spanning empires. And modern-day physicists continue to use eclipses to confirm Einstein's theory of relativity. Beautifully illustrated and lyrically written, Sun Moon Earth is the ideal guide for all eclipse watchers and star gazers alike"-- Amazon.com.

Contents:

From omen to awe

A day with two dawns and midnight at noon

Two worlds one sun

Shadows across a sea of stars

As below, so above

The eclipse that changed the world

Saros siblings

The great American eclipse and beyond

The last total eclipse.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780465060924

0465060927

OCLC:

941875560