Since humans first looked towards the heavens, they have
attempted to predict and explain the motions of the sun, moon, and
planets. This book describes the theories of planetary motion that
have been developed through the ages, from the homocentric spheres
of Eudoxus to Einstein''s general theory of relativity. It
emphasizes the interaction between progress in astronomy and in
mathematics, demonstrating how the two have been inextricably
linked since Babylonian times.
內容簡介:
Since 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.
關於作者:
Christopher Linton is Head of the Mathematical Sciences
Department at Loughborough University.
目錄:
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Spheres and circles
3. The Ptolemaic universe
4. Developments in geocentric astronomy
5. The heliocentric universe
6. Tycho Brahe, Kepler and the ellipse
7. Galileo, the telescope and Keplerian astronomy
8. The universal theory of gravitation
9. Celestial mechanics
10. The asteroids and the outer planets
11. New methods
12. Mercury and relativity
References
Index.