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The treatise by Jeremiah Horrocks (1618-1641) on the transit of Venus of 1639 is an account of an important astronomical observation, as well as an analysis and commentary on the changing state and practice of astronomy during the significant period between the achievements of Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) and Isaac Newton (1642-1727). This work has, in addition, the power to delight and charm us as the record of a young astronomer’s encounter with a rare astronomical event and the manner in which he discovered, observed, and drew conclusions from it. Its appeal is heightened by the knowledge that a self-trained young man stole a march on all the astronomers of his day.
Price: $167.00
Pages: 84
Publisher: Brill
Imprint: Brill
Series: Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy and Science
Publication Date:
02 March 2012
ISBN: 9789004221932
Format: Hardcover
Why this pricey little book when this stuff is available for free?” That was my attitude in initially opening Wilbur Applebaum’s new translation of Jeremiah orrocks’s report on the 1639 transit of Venus. [...] Upon actually reading the book, the reasons why became obvious. This is not just a re-translation of the Hevelius/Whatton publications. [...] This greater fidelity comes at no cost to readability — Applebaum’s translation is delightful.[...] Applebaum’s Venus is not a repeat of, but a valuable addition to, the resources that are already freely available. Published in the year of another transit of Venus, may it stimulate further interest in a fascinating era of astronomical history.
CHRISTOPHER M. GRANEY, Jefferson Community & Technical College in Journal of the History of Astronomy, February 2013 (vol. 44), pp. 120-121.
CHRISTOPHER M. GRANEY, Jefferson Community & Technical College in Journal of the History of Astronomy, February 2013 (vol. 44), pp. 120-121.
Wilbur Applebaum, Ph.D. (1969) in History, State University of New York, Buffalo, is Professor Emeritus at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. He has published books, articles and book reviews on early modern astronomy. He created and edited The Encyclopedia of the Scientific Revolution from Copernicus to Newton (Garland, 2000; Routledge, 2008, 3rd printing).