posted 06-21-2011 09:03 AM               

This book focuses on the conceptualization of the solar system from ancient times, when diagrams largely represented the universe as perceived by the naked eye, to the modern age, with powerful telescopes and space probes giving us new insights into organization of the solar system and into the topographical features of the planets and other celestial bodies.

This book traces the development of people's view of their place in the cosmos from ancient to modern times, with particular emphasis on the solar system. Cultural factors are taken into consideration from both European and non-European perspectives. The text is enhanced by beautiful illustrations from antiquarian books and atlases, from powerful telescopes on Earth and in space, and from instruments on space probes visiting the planets and their moons. Not only are the various components shown how they relate to each other but also to the way each object (such as a planet or moon) topographically presents itself and is interpreted by the observer.

• Springer, 1st edition, August 2013
  
• Softcover, 250 p. 70 illus., 40 in color.
  
• ISBN 978-1-4614-0895-6