Fotografía de autor

Colin A. Ronan (1920–1995)

Autor de Los Amantes de la astronomía

81 Obras 1,087 Miembros 17 Reseñas

Sobre El Autor

Series

Obras de Colin A. Ronan

Deep Space (1982) 47 copias
Galileo (1974) 22 copias
Man Probes the Universe (1964) 17 copias
Sir Isaac Newton (1969) 8 copias
The astronomers (1964) 7 copias
Yttre rymden (1982) 4 copias
Astronomers Royal (1967) 4 copias
Newton and Gravitation (1967) 3 copias
The stars (1965) 3 copias
Universe (Visual guides) (1998) 3 copias
L'astronomia pratica — Traductor — 2 copias
Invisible astronomy (1972) 1 copia

Etiquetado

Conocimiento común

Miembros

Reseñas

Large format book with many fascinating but sometimes oddly selected illustrations. For example, some very nice period illustrations of Brahe's and Copernicus's theories of planetary motion are adjacent to discussions of the speculations of various ancient Greeks. Presumably there are no period illustrations of the ideas of those Greeks. Many portraits are Nuremberg Chronicle woodcuts. There are also reconstructions, taken from various sources and based on ancient descriptions. Probably the most fascinating of all is the illustration of an escapement for an enormous Chinese water clock driven by human energy. That is beautiful and fascinating.

Throughout the book there are reconstructions, usually occupying a whole page, of some ancient technology that has been described but is now lost. One is a toy Greek temple, where lighting a fire on the altar causes the temple doors to swing ajar. Another is a Chinese earthquake direction detecting device (called a seismograph by the author, analogizing a bit too much there). Another is a monumental clepsydra in the Temple of the Winds in Athens. Occupying both pages is a Roman water driven mill, for grinding grain. And another is a reconstruction of the ziggurat of Ur-Nammu. These are all credited to "John Smith"; artist or publisher, I can not say.

The text is in two columns and well-written. The book was published in the 1970s and the author clearly believed that Columbus was unusual in believing the earth was round. This is now commonly understood to be false. Most navigators of Columbus's time believed that the earth was round, but there was a lot of disagreement on its size, with some adhering to an estimate around that of Eratosthenes's and others, including Columbus, giving more credence to Ptolemy's smaller and far less correct estimate.
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Denunciada
themulhern | Jul 15, 2023 |
Using familiar concepts as examples, “Science Explained” illustrates the fundamentals of science. Using easily-understood text and full-color photographs and diagrams, it explains how these fundamentals work in the world around us.

“Science Explained” divides this information into five major sections. “Space” takes a concise look at relevant topics, including our solar system, stars, and black holes. Here are theories on how the universe could have begun . . . and how it might end.

“Energy” delves into topics such as machines, pressure, energy, light, and vibrations. The study of energy and its various forms is basic for understanding the science of our world.

“Atoms and Matter” looks at the fundamental forms of matter. An investigation into atoms and their interactions gives insights into the way substances around us change.

“Life” has existed on earth for nearly four billion years and has evolved into a wide diversity. Here readers can explore the commonalities between all plants and animals on Earth.

“Brains and Computers” investigates computers and robots and looks at the development of the technology.

Each double-page spread offers readers a self-contained discussion on the topic; cross-referencing helps explain how various areas of science are related. A bibliography is included. Readers with an interest in science, life on Earth, and technology will find much to appreciate here.

Highly recommended.
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Denunciada
jfe16 | Nov 18, 2020 |
As it celebrates the wonder and awe that has led stargazers to explore the wider world beyond our planet, this coffee-table-sized book offers readers stunning color photographs and illustrations to help expand their understanding of the cosmos. Using familiar examples from the everyday world to tie theory and experience together, “The Universe Explained” helps readers understand astronomical findings and conclusions.

Divided into five sections, “The Universe Explained” investigates different aspects of the universe, considers the theories of the evolution of the cosmos, and examines the way the universe works, clearly illustrating how everything fits together.

“Observatory Earth,” explains how astronomy works while “The Planets” surveys each of the planets in the solar system. “Sun and Stars” looks at the types of stars in the universe; star cities and superclusters of galaxies are explored in “Nebulae and Galaxies.” Finally, “How the Universe Works” ties everything together.

Each double-page spread offers readers a self-contained story; cross-referencing helps explain how various areas of astronomy are related. Readers with an interest in space and astronomy will find much to appreciate here.

Highly recommended.
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Denunciada
jfe16 | otra reseña | Nov 15, 2020 |
 
Denunciada
Murtra | otra reseña | Nov 11, 2020 |

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Estadísticas

Obras
81
Miembros
1,087
Popularidad
#23,626
Valoración
3.8
Reseñas
17
ISBNs
118
Idiomas
12

Tablas y Gráficos