| Edition |
First Pegasus Books cloth edition. |
| Description |
291 pages ; 24 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Summary |
"In 1506 a comet appears above Augsburg. As the astronomer Johann Virdung explains, it heralds conflict, the destruction of crops and the death of kings. He concludes his theories with a poem. In 1680 Isaac Newton peers at a comet through a telescope for the first time. He calculates its orbit and distance from the Sun. Of its meaning, he says nothing. No poetry ensues. Violet Moller takes us through a centuries-long quest for knowledge of the earth and the heavens. In Louvain, Gerard Mercator engraves globes for the Habsburg Emperor, but only narrowly escapes death for heresy. Tycho Brahe catalogues stars on the island of Hven and keeps up a prospering practice in alchemy. In opulent palaces and bustling workshops, the modern astronomical endeavour is born"--Publisher's description. |
| Subject |
Science -- Europe -- 16th century.
|
|
Astronomy -- Europe -- 16th century.
|
|
Europe -- Intellectual life -- 16th century.
|
| Genre/Form |
Biographies.
|
| ISBN |
9781639368372 hardcover |
|
163936837X hardcover |
|
