Atlas of Great Comets

A stunning visual reference on thirty of the greatest comets that have been witnessed and documented since the Middle Ages.

Ronald Stoyan (Author), Storm Dunlop (Translated by)

9781107093492, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 January 2015

224 pages, 123 b/w illus. 163 colour illus. 32 maps 34 tables
32.8 x 24.9 x 1.7 cm, 1.35 kg

'Each chapter in the book is lavishly illustrated … [For] comets which appeared in the sky before photography, the illustrations are woodcuts, engravings and paintings, and some of them are simply jaw-droppingly beautiful, every bit as striking as the more modern photographs. At the start of the book particularly, every turn of a page brings into view a new vision of wonder. … But this book isn't just a collection of lovely images with some interesting text wrapped around them. It's essentially a time machine, allowing you to travel back through the centuries to imagine what it must have been like to actually see some of the Great Comets of the past. … Should you buy this book? That depends. Do you love comets? Do you love looking at and photographing comets? If you answered yes to either or both of those questions then the answer is yes, you should buy this book. Because it will make you fall in love with them all over again.' Stuart Atkinson, Cumbrian Sky blog (cumbriansky.wordpress.com)

Throughout the ages, comets, enigmatic and beautiful wandering objects that appear for weeks or months, have alternately fascinated and terrified humankind. The result of five years of careful research, Atlas of Great Comets is a generously illustrated reference on thirty of the greatest comets that have been witnessed and documented since the Middle Ages. Special attention is given to the cultural and scientific impact of each appearance, supported by a wealth of images, from woodcuts, engravings, historical paintings and artifacts, to a showcase of the best astronomical photos and images. Following the introduction, giving the broad historical context and a modern scientific interpretation, the Great Comets feature in chronological order. For each, there is a contemporary description of its appearance along with its scientific, cultural and historical significance. Whether you are an armchair astronomer or a seasoned comet-chaser, this spectacular reference deserves a place on your shelf.

Foreword
Using this book
Part I. Introduction: Cometary beliefs and fears
Comets in art
Comets in literature and poetry
Comets in science
Cometary science today
Great comets in antiquity
Great comets of the Middle Ages
Part II. The 30 Greatest Comets of Modern Times: The Great Comet of 1471
Comet Halley 1531
The Great Comet of 1556
The Great Comet of 1577
Comet Halley, 1607
The Great Comet of 1618
The Great Comet of 1664
Comet Kirch, 1680
Comet Halley, 1682
The Great Comet of 1744
Comet Halley, 1759
Comet Messier, 1769
Comet Flaugergues, 1811
Comet Halley, 1835
The Great March Comet of 1843
Comet Donati, 1858
Comet Tebbutt, 1861
The Great September Comet of 1882
The Great January Comet of 1910
Comet Halley, 1910
Comet Arend–Roland, 1956
Comet Ikeya–Seki, 1965
Comet Bennett, 1970
Comet Kohoutek, 1973–4
Comet West, 1976
Comet Halley, 1986
Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9, 1994
Comet Hyakutake, 1996
Comet Hale–Bopp, 1997
Comet McNaught, 2007
Part III. Appendices
Table of comet data
Glossary
References
Photo credits
Index.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH], Astronomy, space & time [PG], Popular science [PDZ], History of science [PDX], Mathematics & science [P]