History of Astronomy: History of Astronomy: From Ancient Observations to Modern DiscoveriesHistory of Astronomy by George Forbes: In this comprehensive historical account, George Forbes, an eminent astronomer, takes readers on a journey through the evolution of astronomy. From ancient civilizations' observations of celestial phenomena to the revolutionary discoveries of modern astronomy, Forbes provides a detailed narrative of humanity's quest to understand the cosmos. Through this enlightening exploration, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the scientific achievements that have shaped our understanding of the universe. Key Aspects of the Book "History of Astronomy": George Forbes was a distinguished astronomer and writer born in 1849. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy, particularly in the study of the sun's radiation and the transmission of energy in the atmosphere. Forbes' passion for astronomy led him to become a Fellow of the Royal Society and an esteemed professor of astronomy. His book "History of Astronomy" remains a valuable resource for those interested in the fascinating journey of human exploration of the cosmos. |
From inside the book
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... Hipparchus, about 150 B.C., and Ptolemy a little later, were able to use the observations of Chaldæan astrologers, as well as those of Alexandrian astronomers, and to make some discoveries which have helped the progress of astronomy in ...
... Hipparchus (190-120 B.C.) may be regarded as the founder of observational astronomy. He measured the obliquity of the ecliptic, and agreed with Eratosthenes. He altered the length of the tropical year from 365 days, 6 hours to 365 days ...
... Hipparchus observed a new star. This upset every notion about the permanence of the fixed stars. He then set to work to catalogue all the principal stars so as to know if any others appeared or disappeared. Here his experiences ...
... Hipparchus' great discovery it may be mentioned that modern astronomers have often attempted to fix dates in history by the effects of precession of the equinoxes. (1) At about the date when the Great Pyramid may have been builtγ ...
... Hipparchus to explain the unequal motions of the sun and moon. He adopted the epicycles and deferents which had been used by Apollonius and others to explain the retrograde motions of the planets. We, who know that the earth revolves ...