Overview
- A fascinating comparison of the careers, ideas, discoveries, and inventions of two renowned scientists at the crossroads of the seventeenth century
- Describes Kircher’s intuitive work and his ability to achieve extraordinary insights by unconventional means
- Places Galileo’s work on scales, telescopes, and sun spots within its cultural context
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library (ASSL, volume 399)
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Table of contents (9 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
Reviews
“Astronomers fell into two camps and their respective dilemmas are investigated in detail in this most readable, erudite, superbly referenced, and insightful book written by Professor Roberto Buonanno … . This book is a fascinating exploration of a key stage in the history of astronomy. I recommend it unreservedly.” (David W. Hughes, The Observatory, Vol. 135, February, 2015)
“Buonanno has found a subject well worth treating, and he has collected a wonderful series of vignettes and anecdotes that I am delighted to have read. … I found myself thoroughly enjoying this book. It was like going for a walk with a lively and well-read raconteur, one whose mind would leap from topic to topic in an ever-surprising, ever-intriguing conversation. … it is a delight to dip into at random. And in that sense, it does Kircher proud.” (Br. Guy Consolmagno S.J., Journal of Jesuit Studies, Issue 2, 2015)
“This book contains many opinions, second-hand information and assumptions about the relations between Galileo Galilei and Jesuits at Collegio Romano. It represents interest for scientists, students, and inquisitive readers.” (Nina A. Solovaya, zbMATH, Vol. 1286, 2014)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
The Author is Full Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Roma Tor Vergata.
He is also Chairman of the Italian Astronomical Society (SAIt) and Director of the Astrophysical Observatory of Teramo.
He is currenly a Senior Scientist at ASDC (ASI Data Center), entitled for the GAIA satellite (its launch is foreseen in 2013)
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The Stars of Galileo Galilei and the Universal Knowledge of Athanasius Kircher
Authors: Roberto Buonanno
Series Title: Astrophysics and Space Science Library
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-00300-9
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-00299-6Published: 17 February 2014
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-37557-1Published: 27 August 2016
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-00300-9Published: 31 January 2014
Series ISSN: 0067-0057
Series E-ISSN: 2214-7985
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIII, 178
Number of Illustrations: 28 b/w illustrations
Topics: Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology, Popular Science, general, History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics