Preface
Chapter One: Stars and storytellers
Chapter Two: Star maps
Chapter Three: The celestial eighty-eight
Chapter Four: Obsolete constellations
Sources and acknowledgements
References
Glossary of mythological characters
Index
Ian Ridpath is an English writer and editor on astronomy and space.
He is author of a standard series of observing guides for amateur
astronomers: the Collins Stars & Planets Guide (known in the US as
the Princeton Stars & Planets Field Guide); Collins Gem Stars; and
The Monthly Sky Guide, all illustrated by Wil Tirion, the world's
foremost celestial cartographer. He is editor of the authoritative
Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy and of the last three editions of
Norton's Star Atlas, the longest-established and best-known star
atlas in the world.
Ian is a recipient of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific's
Klumpke-Roberts Award for 'outstanding contributions to the public
understanding and appreciation of astronomy', the most prestigious
award of its kind. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
and a member of the International Astronomical Union, where he
serves on its Working Group on Star Names. His interests include
collecting antique astronomy books, particularly star atlases.
'In this highly readable Star Tales ... Mr Ridpath has splendidly
combined astronomy with the lore of classical mythology. '
Adrian Berry, Daily Telegraph
'There is another way to look at [stars and galaxies] - as the
creation of human imagination. ... To help steer us round these
wonders, Ridpath has produced Star Tales. ... a pleasant amalgam of
sheer fancy and historical and scientific fact. The book will help
us appreciate how we reached out present awareness.'
Robin McKie, Observer Sunday
'Many readers will welcome this book of tales of the constellations
. ... [Ian Ridpath's] list of sources is quite impressive, but the
greatest value of the book must lie in the illustrations . ... This
is a book to enjoy. It is easily read and does successfully what it
sets out to. Ridpath has already earned a reputation as a presenter
of the celestial constellations and the real curiosities they
contain. ... Now we must see him as an authority on their
entertainment value too.'
Rosemary Naylor, Federation of Astronomical Societies
'I thoroughly enjoyed reading this beautifully-illustrated book,
and it will be a lovely reference book as well. It is meticulously
researched and very well written, and I can recommend it to anyone
interested in the constellations from a historical or mythological
perspective'
Robert Connon Smith, The Observatory, vol. 139, no.1269, pp.74-5
YA-- Ridpath relates an amazing history of star gazing that was first recorded by the Sumerians in 2000 b.c. By 150 a.d. , Ptolemy, the Greek astronomer, had recognized the 48 constellations which are the basis for modern astronomy. An additional 40 constellations that were below the Greek horizon are also discussed. The illustrations, magnificent engravings reproduced from John Flamsted's Atlas Coelestris (1729) and the Uranographia star atlas of Johann Bode (1801), show the figures inhabiting the night skies. Astronomy today deals with quasars, red giants, white dwarfs, and other phenomena. Ridpath's book relates a simpler time in celestial history. A useful book for any situation in which mythology is researched or taught in the curriculum.-- Anne Paget, Episcopal High School, Bellaire, Tex.
'In this highly readable Star Tales ... Mr Ridpath has splendidly combined astronomy with the lore of classical mythology. ' Adrian Berry, Daily Telegraph 'There is another way to look at [stars and galaxies] - as the creation of human imagination. ... To help steer us round these wonders, Ridpath has produced Star Tales. ... a pleasant amalgam of sheer fancy and historical and scientific fact. The book will help us appreciate how we reached out present awareness.' Robin McKie, Observer Sunday 'Many readers will welcome this book of tales of the constellations . ... [Ian Ridpath's] list of sources is quite impressive, but the greatest value of the book must lie in the illustrations . ... This is a book to enjoy. It is easily read and does successfully what it sets out to. Ridpath has already earned a reputation as a presenter of the celestial constellations and the real curiosities they contain. ... Now we must see him as an authority on their entertainment value too.' Rosemary Naylor, Federation of Astronomical Societies 'I thoroughly enjoyed reading this beautifully-illustrated book, and it will be a lovely reference book as well. It is meticulously researched and very well written, and I can recommend it to anyone interested in the constellations from a historical or mythological perspective' Robert Connon Smith, The Observatory, vol. 139, no.1269, pp.74-5
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