The New Astronomy

Name: The New Astronomy
Author: S. P. Langley

By S. P. Langley

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Science - Physics

About This Book

The text surveys late 19th-century astronomical knowledge and methods, beginning with detailed observations of solar phenomena such as spots, prominences, the corona, and eclipses, and discussing instruments like telescopes, photography, and the spectroscope. It also examines the sun’s energy and attempts to measure and harness solar heat, then moves outward to describe planets and the Moon, their surface markings and observational challenges. Later chapters treat meteors and comets, their appearance and behavior, and conclude with stellar astronomy, including spectra, stellar types, and nebulae, blending observational report with physical interpretation.

About the Author

S. P. Langley

S. P. Langley was an American astronomer and aviation pioneer known for his contributions to the fields of astronomy and aerodynamics. He served as the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and was instrumental in the development of early flight technology. Langley's notable works include "The New Astronomy," which explored celestial phenomena, and the "Langley Memoir on Mechanical Flight," where he documented his experiments with heavier-than-air flight. His innovative research laid the groundwork for future advancements in both aviation and astronomy.