Outlines of Astronomy

Herschel's work represents a rich overview of the physical world through a comprehensive study of terrestrial and celestial objects.

John Frederick William Herschel (Author)

9781108013772, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 June 2010

696 pages, 6 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3.9 cm, 0.87 kg

Sir John Frederick William Herschel (1792–1871) – astronomer, mathematician, chemist – was one of the most important English scientists of the nineteenth century. Son of the famous astronomer William Herschel and nephew of Caroline, he was persuaded by his father to pursue the astronomical investigations William could no longer undertake; John's subsequent career resulted in a knighthood and a lifetime of accolades. Outlines of Astronomy (1849), an updated and expanded version of his 1833 Treatise on Astronomy, went through eleven editions in two decades and was translated into several languages. Outlines examines terrestrial and celestial phenomena, providing the reader with a wide range of knowledge about the physical world as a whole. The work is an important textbook, the object of which 'is not to convince or refute opponents, nor to inquire … for principles of which we are all the time in full possession – but simply to teach what is known'.

Preface
Introduction
Part I: 1. General notions
2. Terminology and elementary geometrical conceptions and relations
3. Of the nature of astronomical instruments and observations in general
4. Of geography
5. Of Uranography
6. Of the Sun's motion
7. Of the moon
8. Of terrestrial gravity
9. Of the solar system
10. Of the satellites
11. Of comets
Part II. Of the Planetary Perturbations: 12. Subject propounded
13. Theory of the axes, perihelia, and excentricities
14. Of the inequalities independent of the excentricities
Part III. Of Sidereal Astronomy: 15. Of the fixed stars
16. Variable and periodical stars
17. Of clusters of stars and nebulae
Part IV. Of the account of time: 18. Natural unites of time
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: Solar system: the Sun & planets [PGS]