Mask of the Sun: The Science, History and Forgotten Lore of Eclipses

Mask of the Sun: The Science, History and Forgotten Lore of Eclipses PDF Author: John Dvorak
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1681773856
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
They have been thought of as harbingers of evil as well as a sign of the divine. Eclipses—one of the rarest and most stunning celestial events we can witness here on Earth—have shaped the course of human history and thought since humans first turned their eyes to the sky. What do Virginia Woolf, the rotation of hurricanes, Babylonian kings and Einstein’s General Theory Relativity all have in common? Eclipses. Always spectacular and, today, precisely predicable, eclipses have allowed us to know when the first Olympic games were played and, long before the first space probe, that the Moon was covered by dust. Eclipses have stunned, frightened, emboldened and mesmerized people for thousands of years. They were recorded on ancient turtle shells discovered in the Wastes of Yin in China, on clay tablets from Mesopotamia and on the Mayan “Dresden Codex." They are mentioned in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and at least eight times in the Bible. Columbus used them to trick people, while Renaissance painter Taddeo Gaddi was blinded by one. Sorcery was banished within the Catholic Church after astrologers used an eclipse to predict a pope’s death. In Mask of the Sun, acclaimed writer John Dvorak the importance of the number 177 and why the ancient Romans thought it was bad to have sexual intercourse during an eclipse (whereas other cultures thought it would be good luck). Even today, pregnant women in Mexico wear safety pins on their underwear during an eclipse. Eclipses are an amazing phenomena—unique to Earth—that have provided the key to much of what we now know and understand about the sun, our moon, gravity, and the workings of the universe. Both entertaining and authoritative, Mask of the Sun reveals the humanism behind the science of both lunar and solar eclipses. With insightful detail and vividly accessible prose, Dvorak provides explanations as to how and why eclipses occur—as well as insight into the forthcoming eclipse of 2017 that will be visible across North America.

Mask of the Sun: The Science, History and Forgotten Lore of Eclipses

Mask of the Sun: The Science, History and Forgotten Lore of Eclipses PDF Author: John Dvorak
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1681773856
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 336

Get Book

Book Description
They have been thought of as harbingers of evil as well as a sign of the divine. Eclipses—one of the rarest and most stunning celestial events we can witness here on Earth—have shaped the course of human history and thought since humans first turned their eyes to the sky. What do Virginia Woolf, the rotation of hurricanes, Babylonian kings and Einstein’s General Theory Relativity all have in common? Eclipses. Always spectacular and, today, precisely predicable, eclipses have allowed us to know when the first Olympic games were played and, long before the first space probe, that the Moon was covered by dust. Eclipses have stunned, frightened, emboldened and mesmerized people for thousands of years. They were recorded on ancient turtle shells discovered in the Wastes of Yin in China, on clay tablets from Mesopotamia and on the Mayan “Dresden Codex." They are mentioned in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and at least eight times in the Bible. Columbus used them to trick people, while Renaissance painter Taddeo Gaddi was blinded by one. Sorcery was banished within the Catholic Church after astrologers used an eclipse to predict a pope’s death. In Mask of the Sun, acclaimed writer John Dvorak the importance of the number 177 and why the ancient Romans thought it was bad to have sexual intercourse during an eclipse (whereas other cultures thought it would be good luck). Even today, pregnant women in Mexico wear safety pins on their underwear during an eclipse. Eclipses are an amazing phenomena—unique to Earth—that have provided the key to much of what we now know and understand about the sun, our moon, gravity, and the workings of the universe. Both entertaining and authoritative, Mask of the Sun reveals the humanism behind the science of both lunar and solar eclipses. With insightful detail and vividly accessible prose, Dvorak provides explanations as to how and why eclipses occur—as well as insight into the forthcoming eclipse of 2017 that will be visible across North America.

Sun Moon Earth

Sun Moon Earth PDF Author: Tyler Nordgren
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN: 0465096468
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
With beautiful illustrations and a detailed map, Sun Moon Earth has everything you need to get ready for the next solar eclipse. On April 8, 2024, millions of Americans will experience an awe-inspiring phenomenon: a total eclipse of the sun. In Sun Moon Earth, astronomer Tyler Nordgren illustrates how this most seemingly unnatural of natural phenomena was transformed from a fearsome omen to a tourist attraction. From the astrologers of ancient China and Babylon to the high priests of the Maya, Sun Moon Earth takes us around the world to show how different cultures interpreted these dramatic events. Greek philosophers discovered eclipses' cause and used them to measure their world and the cosmos beyond. Victorian-era scientists mounted eclipse expeditions during the age of globe-spanning empires. And modern-day physicists continue to use eclipses to confirm Einstein's theory of relativity. Beautifully illustrated and lyrically written, Sun Moon Earth is the ideal guide for all eclipse watchers and star gazers alike.

Eclipse

Eclipse PDF Author: Duncan Steel
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780747273851
Category : Solar eclipses
Languages : en
Pages : 368

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Book Description
Ever since the dawn of time, eclipses have been percieved as peculiarly portentous events. These once-in-a-lifetime happenings hold a powerful fascination for us all. Steel's book explains much about eclipses, their science and their significance to humankind.

The Story of Eclipses

The Story of Eclipses PDF Author: George Frederick Chambers
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Eclipses
Languages : en
Pages : 222

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Book Description


In the Shadow of the Moon

In the Shadow of the Moon PDF Author: Anthony Aveni
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300227574
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 277

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Book Description
From an award-winning author, astronomer, and anthropologist, an exploration of the scientific and cultural significance of the mesmerizing cosmic display. Since the first humans looked up and saw the sun swallowed by darkness, our species has been captivated by solar eclipses. Astronomer and anthropologist Anthony Aveni explains the history and culture surrounding solar eclipses, from prehistoric Stonehenge to Babylonian creation myths, to a confirmation of Einstein’s theory of general relativity, to a spectacle that left New York City in the moon’s shadow, to future eclipses that will capture human imaginations. In one accessible and engaging read, Aveni explains the science behind the phenomenon, tracks eclipses across the ancient world, and examines the roles of solar eclipses in modern times to reveal the profound effects these cosmic events have had on human history. Colored by his own experiences—Aveni has witnessed eight total solar eclipses in his lifetime—his account of astronomy’s most storied phenomenon will enthrall anyone who has looked up at the sky with wonder. “Aveni’s authoritative but accessible text is the clearest statement of the way our perception of eclipses has changed over the centuries.” —Stuart Clark, New Scientist “Authoritative and engaging.” —Marcelo Gleiser, NPR’s 13.7 “A recommended way to share the spirit of the occasion.” —Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History magazine “Everything you need to enjoy a solar eclipse—and even predict one, just like the Babylonians did! Aveni’s entertaining explorations show the very different impacts eclipses have had on past and present cultures.” —David DeVorkin, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

Where Did the Sun Go?

Where Did the Sun Go? PDF Author: Janet Cameron Hoult
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781432770815
Category : Poetry
Languages : en
Pages : 72

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Book Description
WHY IS THERE NIGHT DURING THE DAY? For thousands of years, our ancestors created myths and legends to explain the puzzle of solar eclipses. The poems in this book bring the ancient beliefs of many different cultures to life. Designed for children, parents, and educators, this delightful book includes a puppet show script, with instructions for easy to create puppets, stage directions and other helpful hints for creating a fabulously fun show, while answering the question, "Where Did the Sun Go?"

Being in the Shadow

Being in the Shadow PDF Author: Kate Russo
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781999707804
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 144

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Book Description
Through personal stories of six ordinary people, this narrative non-fiction book describes what it is like to experience a total eclipse for the first time. After these stories, you will understand why you MUST try to experience this eerie and awe-inspiring event yourself. Essential reading, written by an eclipse-chasing psychologist.

The Story of Eclipses

The Story of Eclipses PDF Author: George F 1841-1915 Chambers
Publisher: Legare Street Press
ISBN: 9781022216105
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
From the ancient mythologies of sun-eating monsters to the modern advances in astrophysics, this book is the definitive guide to celestial eclipses throughout history. From the rare and awe-inspiring total solar eclipse to the more common lunar eclipse, The Story of Eclipses describes the science, culture, and mythology of this fascinating astronomical phenomenon. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

American Eclipse

American Eclipse PDF Author: David Baron
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781324094692
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Winner of the 2018 AIP Science Communication Award in Science Writing (Books) Richly illustrated and meticulously researched, American Eclipse ultimately depicts a young nation that looked to the skies to reveal its towering ambition and expose its latent genius.

The Story of Eclipses

The Story of Eclipses PDF Author: George Frederick Chambers
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Eclipses
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description