Preface; 1. Introduction: mysterious skies; 2. Two spheres: modeling the heavens and the Earth; 3. Wanderers: the Moon and the planets; 4. An Earth-centered cosmos: astronomy and cosmology from Eudoxus to Regiomontanus; 5. Moving the Earth: the revolutions of Copernicus; 6. Instruments of reform: Tycho's restoration of observational astronomy; 7. Physical causes: Kepler's new astronomy; 8. Seeing beyond Aristotle: Galileo's controversies; 9. The system of the world: Newton's universal physics; 10. Confirming Copernicus: evidence for Earth's motions; Appendix A. Mathematical details; Notes; References; Index.
Details the science behind the Copernican Revolution, the transition from the Earth-centered cosmos to a modern understanding of planetary orbits.
Todd Timberlake has taught physics and astronomy at Berry College, Georgia since 2001. He teaches courses on the Copernican Revolution, the history of galactic astronomy and cosmology, and extra-terrestrial life, among others. Although he usually teaches college students, he has taught audiences ranging from kindergarten children in the USA to Tibetan Buddhist monks in India. He is passionate about incorporating the history and philosophy of science into the teaching of science and he is an expert at using computers as a tool for teaching physics and astronomy. Paul Wallace teaches physics and astronomy at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. His scientific work was in experimental nuclear physics and gamma-ray astrophysics, but his love of the history of astronomy drew him away from technical research. His unusual background and informal approach make him a sought-after speaker at churches, conferences, colleges, and retreats. His first book, Stars Beneath Us: Finding God in the Evolving Cosmos, was published in 2016.
'The story of understanding our Solar System is essentially a story
of how science works. Finding Our Place in the Solar System
connects the dots between observations of the movements of the Sun,
the Moon and the stars on the celestial sphere to the scientific
revolution brought about by Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo and
ultimately Newton. Every chapter describes the key steps that led
towards our current understanding of our Solar System, but also
reflects on what these steps can tell us about how science in
general works. The book, aimed at non-science-majors and the
general public alike, motivates a very timely discussion on the
dynamic and ever-changing nature of science.' Marios Karouzos,
Nature Astronomy
'… at the end of each section [is] a short chapter titled
Reflections on science, a sort of philosophy of science light …
they are actually very well done and add, in my opinion, a lot to
the value of the book as a teaching text … Timberlake writes well
and lucidly. His text is easy to read and his explanations are
clear and straightforward. He covers the material well and I on the
whole would thoroughly endorse his book as an excellent textbook
and introduction to the history of European astronomy …
Timberlake's book is an excellent entry level introduction to the
history of European mathematical astronomy as well as serving as an
introduction to the process of science for non scientists and
anybody looking to teach themselves or looking for a textbook for
an advanced school class or a college level course should
definitely consider using this volume …' Thony C, The Renaissance
Mathematicus
'… the authors' ability to present complex scientific concepts in
the history of astronomy and physics clearly and concisely is
invaluable for undergraduate teaching. The figures, diagrams, and
appendixes in the book enhance the clarity of their presentation,
which was already impressive. This text will be very useful for
those teaching the history of ancient, medieval, or early modern
science. Even for those whose pedagogy differs markedly from that
of Timberlake and Wallace, Finding Our Place in the Solar System
could serve as a useful complement to the main themes of a course.'
Nicholas A. Jacobson, Isis
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