Chronicling the Golden Age of Astronomy

The invention of the telescope at the dawning of the 17th century has revolutionized humanity's understanding of the Universe and our place within it. This book traces the development of the telescope over four centuries, as well as the many personalities who used it to uncover brand-new revelations about the Sun, Moon, planets, stars and distant galaxies.

Starting with early observers such as Thomas Harriot, Galileo, Johannes Hevelius, Giovanni Domenico Cassini, Robert Hooke and Christian Huygens, the book explores how these early observers arrived at essentially correct ideas concerning the objects they studied. Moving into the 18th and 19th centuries, the author describes the increasing sophistication of telescopes both large and small, and the celebrated figures who used them so productively, including the Herschels, Charles Messier, William Lassell and the Earls of Rosse.

Many great discoveries were also made with smaller instruments when placed in the capable hands of the Struve dynasty, F.W. Bessel, Angelo Secchi and S.W Burnham, to name but a few. Nor were all great observers of professional ilk. The book explores the contributions made by the 'clerical astronomers,' William Rutter Dawes, Thomas William Webb, T.E.R Philips and T.H.E.C Espin, as well as the lonely vigils of E.E. Barnard, William F. Denning and Charles Grover. And in the 20th century, the work of  Percival Lowell, Leslie Peltier, Eugene M. Antoniadi, Clyde Tombaugh, Walter Scott Houston, David H. Levy and Sir Patrick Moore is fully explored.

Generously illustrated throughout, this treasure trove of astronomical history shows how each observer's work led to seminal developments in science, and providing key insights into how we go about exploring the heavens today.

“This is one of the finest books on the history of visual astronomy I have ever read. Virtually every sentence conveys a bit of history, and it is remarkably illustrated with sharp photographs. I can only suggest that every reader obtain a copy. The writing is excellent.” (Leonard Matula, The Observatory, Vol. 140 (1274), February, 2020)

“Neil has skilfully woven an individual path through this ‘golden era’ as he describes it, by recounting in great detail the instruments, books and lives of individuals he considers important to the story. I am confident that many of these will seem equally important to others interested in astronomy. I am planning on re-reading the book again as soon as I have finished this review. I recommend that you seriously consider reading it too.” (John Chuter, Journal of the British Astronomical Association, Vol. 129 (2), April, 2019)

“This is a massive tour de force, some 665 pages, profusely illustrated throughout, covering the history of observational astronomy and perhaps more importantly the pioneer astronomers themselves. … The author, himself an enthusiastic amateur astronomer, has a way of making history come alive. He has written with passion something that is both unique in substance and enjoyable in style.” (Azrabella, stargazerslounge.com, December, 21, 2018)

Dr. Neil English is an internationally respected author of several books on amateur astronomy and space science, including Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope, Space Telescopes: A History, Classic Telescopes and Choosing and Using a Dobsonian Telescope. He is a long-time regular contributor to Astronomy Now magazine and has a particular interest in the history of visual telescopic astronomy. The proud owner of a 5-inch f/12 classical achromat, he also enjoys using a variety of Newtonian reflectors from his home in rural, central Scotland.