Johann Doppelmayr\u2019s original Atlas <\/em>Coelestis <\/em>was first published in 1742, bringing together (as the introduction to this new volume explains) astronomical theories and areas of interest important to the European Enlightenment. Ph\u00e6nomena, <\/em>Giles Sparrow\u2019s wonderful tribute to Doppelmayr\u2019s important work, is stunning, enormous and filled with the most amazing illustrations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The book is broken down into 30 sections \u2013 one for each plate of Doppelmayr\u2019s original atlas \u2013 each giving a brief history of the ideas presented therein. Often these contain explanations of Doppelmayr\u2019s astronomy and are full of terms included in a glossary at the back of the book. To take one as an example, plate 27 shows the paths of various comets superimposed onto a map of the Northern Hemisphere. The preceding text describes, with illustrations, the history of comet observations and theories about their orbits and composition. The plate is reproduced across a double page, with the subsequent pages showing close-ups of different parts of the plate and explaining them. There then follows some historical illustrations of comets. The whole book concludes with a \u2018legacy\u2019 section, discussing what came next in European astronomy in the years that followed. The very back of the book contains a linear history of the \u2018milestones of astronomy\u2019 and a table of significant people (although only one woman).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johann Doppelmayr\u2019s renowned Atlas featured exquisite illustrations of the heavens <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
This book is wonderful to look at. The plates are large enough that you can see a tremendous amount of detail, making it truly fascinating. The detailed explorations of each plate are excellent too, explaining each aspect and its purpose, giving a visual understanding of the astronomy involved. If we were to be picky, however, the text perhaps attempts to do too much. It tries to teach the reader astronomy, outline a linear progressive history of astronomy and ultimately link these threads back to Doppelmayr, which makes it rather dense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ph\u00e6nomena<\/em> is not only an expanded and annotated reproduction of a historic astronomy text, it could also appeal to those interested in astronomy, history or art. This is a beautiful book that anyone could pore over for hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emily Winterburn <\/strong>is a writer and historian of science <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Interview with the author <\/strong> Giles Sparrow <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Why is Doppelmayr such a big figure? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
He isn\u2019t a name in the same league as Copernicus or Kepler, probably because he doesn\u2019t have a particular \u2018discovery\u2019 to his credit. But he should be better-known for his promotion of the idea of a Sun-centred Solar System and vast cosmos beyond. His <\/span>Atlas <\/em>helped cement this by showing how accurate it was for predicting the motions of stars and planets. It\u2019s also a fascinating summary of all the competing theories of the day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
How accurate was his work? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Atlas\u2019s <\/em>star maps and depictions of the planets drew on the best observations at that time: they\u2019re a time capsule of the \u2018state of the art\u2019 in the early 18th century. But the theory he promoted still stands up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Isn\u2019t it a shame all star charts don\u2019t look like his? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Absolutely! As someone who has worked on a lot of illustrated astronomy books, it\u2019s fascinating to see how Doppelmayr and his team faced similar challenges, finding ways of illustrating their view of the cosmos that were not just instructive but beautiful. They even found room for the occasional joke! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What did you learn writing the book? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was surprised how much space he dedicated to rival theories, and how protracted the shift to a Sun-centred model was. We think Copernicus had the idea, Galileo proved it and everyone sensible accepted it. But rival theories weren\u2019t just based in dogma: they were often better, more \u2018scientific\u2019 explanations for the evidence available at the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giles Sparrow <\/strong>is the author of several astronomy titles <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
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The Milky Way Smells of Rum and Raspberries<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The media loves sensational headlines. When \u2018Oumuamua visited our Solar System briefly in 2017 and seemed to speed up slightly as it departed, the press had a field day. It could only be an alien spacecraft! It wasn\u2019t. To make such a claim you need to prove that all other possible explanations have been discounted and, with only two weeks to observe this visitor from space, that was certainly not the case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This book digs into this and many other weird facts about our Universe, and drills into the science behind such outlandish phenomena as diamonds raining down on Neptune, supermassive black holes that can sing, that the Universe is beige and the centre of our Galaxy smells like a cocktail bar. It\u2019s a guided tour of some of the most bizarre places in the Universe. Each short chapter explains how such discoveries were made and researched. The writing is light-hearted and chatty, with jokey footnotes scattered throughout, but the science is rock-solid. There are useful links to published research papers at the back of the book to support the claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We learn that the Milky Way is thinner than a credit card, some galaxies look like jellyfish, that Europa may glow in the dark and that you could grow turnips on Mars but, sadly, not potatoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This book is for anyone who likes to astound their friends with amazing facts, backed up by science. Our Universe may be beige, on average, but it is definitely not boring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jenny Winder <\/strong>is a science writer and broadcaster <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Observing Our Solar System: A Beginner\u2019s Guide <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Tom Kerss <\/strong> Collins \u00a38.99 PB <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After reading Observing <\/em>Our <\/em>Solar <\/em>System, <\/em>it was hard to believe that the main text is just 100 pages long. This thin paperback by popular astronomer Tom Kerss is such an informative and concise read that any beginner would be wise to grab a copy. Within seven chapters he has packed each page, covering topics from the history of Solar System observation to how you can tackle imaging the night sky. The chapter on observing the Moon and planets is crammed with information about what to look for and how. Use this in conjunction with the brief but informative chapter on what software to use for planning your observations and you\u2019ll be well on the way to finding your way around the Solar System.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a closer look at the planets, Kerss introduces the use of optical aids, including the types and uses of binoculars and telescopes. If you fancy a stab at imaging the planets, even with a smartphone, he reveals what to use and how to process your images. High praise must be given for the photographs and diagrams that appear on each page: beautifully clear, accompanied with simple but to-the-point text. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kerss knows that our Solar System isn\u2019t just about the planets, and he explores this in later chapters, describing the sights and special events you can look out for, including comets, Earth\u2019s shadow and satellites orbiting overhead. How he has packed so much in I do not know, but whatever his secret, it works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Katrin Raynor <\/strong>is an astronomy writer, podcaster and communicator <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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The Cosmic Diary of Our Incredible Universe <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Tim Peake <\/strong> Hachette \u00a312.99 HB <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the first things a writer decides when writing a book is the point of view. This is the first book you may have read written from the point of view of the Universe \u2013 and the Universe with the voice of a 10-year-old child at that! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tim Peake\u2019s Cosmic <\/em>Diary <\/em>is a chronicle of the cosmos from the Big Bang onwards. Its playful diary format, with interjections from experts and cosmic curiosity fact boxes, makes for a fun read. It covers topics \u2013 including cosmic inflation, nuclear fusion and dark matter \u2013 that might be tough for a young audience, but does so with ease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The book uses perfect analogies to illustrate difficult concepts. To explain cosmic expansion it asks the reader to imagine themselves in a ball of dough with raisins rising in an oven; \u201cwherever you sit, the raisins would seem to be moving away from you in all directions.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It knows how to draw kids in. What links the Cosmic Microwave Background with pigeon poo? It turns out that a \u2018hiss\u2019 astronomers in 1964 attributed to pigeon ablutions on their antennae was actually the first light of the Universe from 13.8 billion years ago. At times, though, I struggled with the childlike personhood bestowed on the Universe. \u201cI got into a massive fight today,\u201d starts the diary entry at \u2018Less than 1 second old\u2019. \u201cI got caught up in this crazy battle between two rival gangs: matter and antimatter.\u201d I sought a second opinion from my 11-year-old. It turns out I\u2019m just a stuffy adult. \u201cIt\u2019s entertaining,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s what kids want \u2013 it makes you want to read.\u201d Enough said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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