ABSTRACT

From an historical perspective, this text presents an entirely non- mathematical introduction to astronomy from the first endeavours of the ancients to the current developments in research enabled by cutting edge technological advances. Free of mathematics and complex graphs, the book nevertheless explains deep concepts of space and time, of relativity and quantum mechanics, and of origin and nature of the universe. It conveys not only the intrinsic fascination of the subject, but also the human side and the scientific method as practised by Kepler, defined and elucidated by Galileo, and then demonstrated by Newton.

part I|2 pages

The Early Developments in Astronomy

chapter One|4 pages

The Beginning

chapter Two|16 pages

Ancient Astronomy

chapter Three|18 pages

The Greeks

chapter Four|10 pages

The Interlude

chapter Five|40 pages

The Renaissance

part II|2 pages

The Era of the Telescope

chapter Six|28 pages

The Classical Post-Newtonian Period

chapter Seven|36 pages

The New Natural Philosophy

chapter Eight|14 pages

Astronomy in the Early Twentieth Century

part III|2 pages

Modern Astronomy

chapter Nine|10 pages

The New Astronomies

chapter Ten|22 pages

Probing the Solar System

chapter Eleven|24 pages

The Stars – their Birth, Life and Death

chapter Twelve|28 pages

The Great Post-war Astronomical Discoveries

chapter Thirteen|20 pages

The Nature, Origin and Evolution of the Universe

chapter |3 pages

Epilogue