The History of Astronomy

This volume traces humanity’s exploration of the heavens from Neolithic times to NASA. Moving beyond early superstitions and cosmology, scientific study began by first making calendars and predicting astronomical events. The invention of the telescope around 1600 marked a watershed in the field of astronomy. Since the first recognition that the planets are other worlds, the wonders of space have puzzled and enthralled us. With a wealth of full-color and archival images and a compelling narrative style, this text charts our fascination with stars from before Stonehenge to the search for exoplanets and extraterrestrial life.