From Eudoxus to Einstein: A History of Mathematical AstronomySince man first looked towards the heavens, a great deal of effort has been put into trying to predict and explain the motions of the sun, moon and planets. Developments in man's understanding have been closely linked to progress in the mathematical sciences. Whole new areas of mathematics, such as trigonometry, were developed to aid astronomical calculations, and on numerous occasions throughout history, breakthroughs in astronomy have only been possible because of progress in mathematics. This book describes the theories of planetary motion that have been developed through the ages, beginning with the homocentric spheres of Eudoxus and ending with Einstein's general theory of relativity. It emphasizes the interaction between progress in astronomy and in mathematics, showing how the two have been inextricably linked since Babylonian times. This valuable text is accessible to a wide audience, from amateur astronomers to professional historians of astronomy. |
Contents
| 1 | |
2 Spheres and circles | 25 |
3 The Ptolemaic universe | 51 |
4 Developments in geocentric astronomy | 85 |
5 The heliocentric universe | 119 |
6 Tycho Brahe Kepler and the ellipse | 153 |
7 Galileo the telescope and Keplerian astronomy | 201 |
8 The universal theory of gravitation | 239 |
9 Celestial mechanics | 291 |
10 The asteroids and the outer planets | 355 |
11 New methods | 397 |
12 Mercury and relativity | 437 |
| 475 | |
| 503 | |
Other editions - View all
From Eudoxus to Einstein: A History of Mathematical Astronomy C. M. Linton No preview available - 2004 |
From Eudoxus to Einstein: A History of Mathematical Astronomy C. M. Linton No preview available - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
accurate Almagest angle apogee approximation area law axis Babylonian calculations celestial mechanics celestial sphere centre century circle circular motion Clairaut comet computed Copernican Copernicus described determined developed discovery distance Earth eccentricity ecliptic effect Einstein elliptical orbits epicycle equinox error Eudoxus Euler fact Figure force Galileo Gauss geometrical Greek heavenly bodies heavens heliocentric Hipparchus History of Astronomy Horrocks Huygens hypothesis idea inverse square Jupiter Jupiter and Saturn Kepler Lagrange Laplace latitude Leverrier longitude lunar theory Mars mass Mercury method Moon move Neptune Newton observations Observatory parallax parameters perihelion period perturbation phenomena philosophy physical planetary theory Poincaré position precession predicted Principia problem Ptolemy Ptolemy's published Quoted radii radius relativity result retrograde motion Revolutions rotation satellites Saturn Science Solar System solution speed sphere spherical superior planets synodic month tables theoretical Titius-Bode law translation triangles Tycho Tycho Brahe universal gravitation Uranus Venus wrote