A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century / Fourth Edition

Name: A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century / Fourth Edition
Author: Agnes M. Clerke

By Agnes M. Clerke

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History - Modern (1750+)Science - Physics

About This Book

A concise narrative traces nineteenth-century developments in observational and physical astronomy, highlighting advances in telescopes, systematic cataloguing, and the emergence of spectrum analysis and astrophysical methods. It recounts evolving interpretations of nebulæ and stellar systems, the measurement of double stars, studies of solar activity and magnetic periodicity, and the interplay between instrumentality and theory. Organized in two parts with chapters devoted to different observational fields, the account deliberately minimizes abstruse mathematics to make technical discoveries intelligible to general readers while showing how new techniques reshaped scientific conceptions of the heavens.

About the Author

Agnes M. Clerke

Agnes M. Clerke was a prominent Irish astronomer and science writer known for her contributions to the popularization of astronomy in the late 19th century. Her most notable work, "A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century," provides a comprehensive overview of astronomical discoveries and theories of her time. Clerke's writings often bridged the gap between complex scientific concepts and general readership, making her a significant figure in the field of science communication. In addition to her historical works, she also explored topics such as the Herschel family and modern cosmogonies, reflecting her deep engagement with both the history and the evolving nature of astronomy.