Throughout history people have sought ways in which to map the heavens. From the sources of mathematics & mythology sprang the classic star chart, the finest examples of which are both scientific documents & works of art. In this beautifully illustrated book, Peter Whitfield reveals some of the ways in which the structure of the universe has been conceived, explained & depicted. With examples ranging from the Stone Age to the Space Age
- ancient observatories, the angelic visions of Dante, images from the Copernican revolution, the rationalized heavens of Isaac Newton, & modern deep space technology
- Whitfield offers a challenging exploration of the tension between rigorous scientific knowledge & the continuing search for cause, certainty & harmony in the universe. This new edition is updated to include a wider range of stunning maps of the skies in full colour, including imagery from the latest voyages of space exploration.