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The Universe Unveiled documents the human desire through history to explore and understand our world. Taking a unique approach, it focuses on the instruments, books, and maps people have created to decipher the Universe from the late fifteenth through to the nineteenth century. Throughout, the book is richly illustrated with over 270 full-color images, including those of rare and unusual artifacts from all over the world kept in the world-renowned collection at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum in Chicago. With clear and informative text, it covers our discovery of Space and Time, and our ever-expanding understanding of Earth and the Heavens, describing in particular the shift from an Earth-centered to a Sun-centered view of the Universe, and the mapping of the stars using telescopes. It also examines the technologies of navigation and of measuring and mapping the Earth, as well as the discovery of ways to keep time.
The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum in Chicago is home to one of the world's great collections of astrolabes. Roderick and Marjorie Webster, Adler Curators Emeriti, present the Western astrolabes from the Adler's collection. The earliest of these instruments dates from the 13th century, others are from the workshops of the greatest craftsmen of the Renaissance. All are described here and illustrated lavishly with photographs showing the front, the back and additional details such as the maker's signature. Introductory essays by the Websters and Sara Schechner Genuth explain the use of the astrolabe and its role in cultural and social history, while the appendices and bibliography provide information essential to the specialist.
Every year, millions of Americans visit planetariums and are captivated by their strikingly realistic portrayal of the night sky. Today, it is indeed difficult to imagine astronomy education without these magnificent celestial theaters. But projection planetariums, first developed in Germany, have been a part of American museum pedagogy only since the early twentieth century and were not widespread until the 1960s. In this unique social history,former planetarium director and historian of science Jordan D. Marché II offers the first complete account of the community of individuals and institutions that, during the period between 1930 and 1970, made planetariums the popular teaching aids the...
Eastern astrolabes from the Adler's collection are described in detail with numerous illustrations.
With the help of Elan Penn's glorious images, university professor and public historian Dennis Cremin leads us on a spectacular tour of the windy city. Visit beloved landmarks and great institutions, such as the Water Tower, Hull House, and Navy Pier, and learn about Chicago's history from the settlement days to the grand metropolis we know today. Celebrate world-renowned cultural sites, such as the Art Institute, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, as well as brilliant newcomers, including the Mexican Fine Arts Museum. Walk through the beautiful city-created Millennium Park, a spectacular result of the partnership between public and private sectors. Gaze at the economic, political, and artistic structures that marked Chicago's budding cityscape in the past, and still remain today: the Stock Yards Entrance, Pilgrim Baptist Church, and Lincoln Park's Bates Fountain. This collection truly captures the essence of a great city.
Completely revised and updated, this new edition provides a readable, beautifully illustrated journey through world cultures and the vibrant array of sky mythology, creation stories, models of the universe, temples and skyscrapers that each culture has created to celebrate and respond to the power of the night sky. Sections on the archaeoastronomy of South Asia and South East Asia have been expanded, with original photography and new research on temple alignments in Southern India, and new material describing the astronomical practices of Indonesia, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. Beautiful photographs of temples in India and Asia have been added, as well as new diagrams explai...
Discusses how people studied astronomy in the past and what they used their observations for.
A classic for all ages—the “wonderful” guide to the night sky by the creator of Curious George (Horn Book). Containing star charts, a guide to the constellations, and details about seasons and the movement of the objects we see in the sky, this classic book makes H. A. Rey’s passion for astronomy evident on every page. New updates concentrate on the planetary and solar system information in the latter part of the book. Facts and figures for each planet have been revised, and new scientific information has been added, such as Pluto’s reclassification as a dwarf planet. There's also a brand-new online resource that allows readers to track the positions of the planets in the night sky till the year 2100. “An excellent introduction to the heavens, to satisfy and stimulate a child’s interest…a very useful book.”—Kirkus Reviews “Persuades the reader that astronomy is not only easy—it’s fun.”—The New York Times “Excellent.”—Saturday Review