Great Astronomers
Robert Stawell Ball
Read by MaryAnn
Of all the natural sciences there is not one which offers such sublime objects to the attention of the inquirer as does the science of astronomy. From the earliest ages the study of the stars has exercised the same fascination as it possesses at the present day. Among the most primitive peoples, the movements of the sun, the moon, and the stars commanded attention from their supposed influence on human affairs.
From the days of Hipparchus down to the present hour the science of astronomy has steadily grown. One great observer after another has appeared from time to time, to reveal some new phenomenon with regard to the celestial bodies or their movements, while from time to time one commanding intellect after another has arisen to explain the true import of the facts of observations. The history of astronomy thus becomes inseparable from the history of the great men to whose labours its development is due. In the ensuing chapters we have endeavoured to sketch the lives and the work of the great philosophers, by whose labours the science of astronomy has been created. (from the Introduction) (9 hr 15 min)
Chapters
Preface and Introduction | 11:49 | Read by MaryAnn |
Ptolemy | 35:38 | Read by MaryAnn |
Copernicus | 18:47 | Read by MaryAnn |
Tycho Brahe | 28:20 | Read by MaryAnn |
Galileo | 43:26 | Read by MaryAnn |
Kepler | 28:17 | Read by MaryAnn |
Isaac Newton | 44:32 | Read by MaryAnn |
Flamsteed | 22:34 | Read by MaryAnn |
Halley | 38:43 | Read by MaryAnn |
Bradley | 21:50 | Read by MaryAnn |
William Herschel | 23:48 | Read by MaryAnn |
Laplace | 21:20 | Read by MaryAnn |
Brinkley | 21:24 | Read by MaryAnn |
John Herschel | 37:02 | Read by MaryAnn |
The Earl of Rosse | 21:32 | Read by MaryAnn |
Airy | 21:52 | Read by MaryAnn |
Hamilton | 51:52 | Read by MaryAnn |
Le Verrier | 33:02 | Read by MaryAnn |
Adams | 29:42 | Read by MaryAnn |
Reviews
Pteryx Karma
The reader is by far the best I've ever heard. Pronunciation perfect, Voice exquisite. Pk Sydney Australia
Bill Filson
Reading again. beautifully read by Mary Abne
Excellent book and read
catrin1979
Love this book. So fascinating with a wide range of astronomers being explored, at least a quarter I'd not heard of. So well read. Thank you so much for putting this gem of a book up.
The reader is a gem!
Charles Solomon
The biographies are inspiring and stimulating. I wonder who else have been considered worthy to join this illustrious list over the years. Mary Ann did an excellent job.
All thumbs up!
Jason Todd
Great book and great reader, but I could fall asleep to her voice. It's just kind of rhythmical.
great book
A LibriVox Listener
great book, I gust regret that I didn't have a pen to rite the stuff downn at work.
Who will be added to the list next?
Enjoyable
Now I need to find more like this one
Johnny
A very interesting read highlighting the progression of astronomy and mathematics throughout history .