Star Maps [electronic resource] : History, Artistry, and Cartography /
Kanas, Nick.author.
This book traces the history of celestial cartography and relates this history to the changing ideas of man’s place in the universe and to advances in map-making. Photographs from actual antiquarian celestial atlases and prints, many previously unpublished, enrich the text, and a legend accompanies each illustration to explain its astronomical and cartographic features. Also included in the book are discussions of non-European celestial maps and chapters on early American influences and celestial map-collecting. With the construction of the International Space Station, and new plans for manned missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond, there is renewed interest in the heavens. An ever-increasing number of people are fascinated with the science of space and are becoming amateur astronomers. Antiquarian map societies are prospering, and celestial maps are now viewed as a specialty of map collecting. The beauty and awe generated by the celestial void captures our imagination and delights our aesthetic sense.
"Published in association with Praxis Publishing, Chichester, UK."
Includes bibliographical references and index.
What is a star map? -- Non-European cosmology and constellation development -- European cosmology -- European constellation development -- Early European star maps -- The “Big Four” of the Golden Age of pictorial star maps -- Other important star maps of the Golden Age -- Special topics -- Mapping the stars in early America -- The transition to non-pictorial star maps.
This book traces the history of celestial cartography and relates this history to the changing ideas of man’s place in the universe and to advances in map-making. Photographs from actual antiquarian celestial atlases and prints, many previously unpublished, enrich the text, and a legend accompanies each illustration to explain its astronomical and cartographic features. Also included in the book are discussions of non-European celestial maps and chapters on early American influences and celestial map-collecting. With the construction of the International Space Station, and new plans for manned missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond, there is renewed interest in the heavens. An ever-increasing number of people are fascinated with the science of space and are becoming amateur astronomers. Antiquarian map societies are prospering, and celestial maps are now viewed as a specialty of map collecting. The beauty and awe generated by the celestial void captures our imagination and delights our aesthetic sense.
Observations, Astronomical.
Astronomy—Observations.
Astronomy.
Astrophysics.
Physics.
Astronomy, Observations and Techniques.
Popular Science in Astronomy.
Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology.
History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics.

Springer Praxis Books