Letters on Astronomy by Denison Olmsted
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About this eBook
| Author | Olmsted, Denison, 1791-1859 |
|---|---|
| Title |
Letters on Astronomy in which the Elements of the Science are Familiarly Explained in Connection with Biographical Sketches of the Most Eminent Astronomers |
| Contents | Preface -- Introductory observations -- Doctrine of the sphere -- Astronomical instruments; telescope -- Observatories -- Time and the calendar -- Figure of the earth -- Diurnal revolution -- Parallax and refraction -- The sun -- Annual revolution; seasons -- Laws of motion -- Terrestrial gravity -- Sir Isaac Newton; unversal gravitation; figure of the earth's orbit; precession of the equinoxes -- The moon -- The moon; phases; harvest moon; librations -- Moon's orbit; her irregularities -- Eclipses -- Longitude; tides -- Planets; Mercury and Venus -- Superior planets: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus -- Copernicus; Galileo -- Saturn; Uranus; asteroids -- The planetary motions; Kepler's laws; Kepler -- Comets -- Meteoric showers -- Fixed stars -- System of the world -- Natural theology -- Recent discoveries. |
| Credits |
Produced by David Starner, Mark Young and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net |
| Summary | "Letters on Astronomy" by Denison Olmsted is a scientific publication written in the early 19th century. The work aims to make the complex subject of astronomy accessible to a general audience, especially through its friendly letters format infused with biographical sketches of notable astronomers. It is likely intended for both educational purposes and personal enlightenment, appealing to those curious about the universe and its wonders. The opening of "Letters on Astronomy" sets a conversational tone, as the author addresses a friend who expressed a desire to learn more about the subject but felt intimidated by its technical jargon. Olmsted reveals that he aims to compose a work that is clear yet comprehensive, weaving in fascinating historical anecdotes about significant figures in astronomy, from ancient civilizations to contemporaries like Copernicus and Newton. He emphasizes that while astronomy can be complex, the foundational principles are straightforward and can offer great intellectual stimulation and beauty to those willing to explore them. (This is an automatically generated summary.) |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | QB: Science: Astronomy |
| Subject | Astronomy |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 40240 |
| Release Date | Jul 15, 2012 |
| Most Recently Updated | Aug 31, 2012 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 88 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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