Introduction; 1. Prelude: the beginning of telescopic astronomy and the background of British astronomy and artistic traditions; 2. The heavens on fire: the eighteenth century; 3. The comet-crazed century opens; 4. The triumph of realism; 5. Donati's comet, the watershed; 6. The origin of comet (and meteor) photography; 7. The triumph of the imagination; 8. Comets and the new century; Epilogue: comets and the new millennium; Appendices; List of illustrations; Bibliography; Index.
An accessible and interesting presentation of the diverse range of historical material about comets.
'… an intriguing book … it is beautifully and profusely illustrated
… As a text, this book is not only eminently readable, erudite and
full of insight, but also skilfully weaves together the conversion
of comets from mere celestial wanderers to objects of considerable
astrophysical interest, the development of the public's interest in
comets, and the advances in art as paintings and prints eventually
competed with chromolithographs and photographs. The authors and
publishers must be congratulated on bringing this fascinating
symbiosis between science, politics and art to the attention of a
wider public.' David Hughes, New Scientist
'My first reaction to this book ... was 'What a fascinating
subject!'; my second to admire the apparent thoroughness and
scholarship with which the authors had approached their
interdisciplinary subject, and the delightful way in which the
publishers had enabled them to illustrate their chosen field in a
comprehensive manner.' A. D. Morrison-Low, The Observatory
' … this book's biggest attraction is not this monochrome fare but
the lavish meal of full-colour images it contains'. History of
Science
' … a lushly illustrated and very readable book … The result is a
feast for both the eye and the mind. Olson and Pasachoff have
created a visual and intellectual feast from history of both
planetary science and art that belongs on the bookshelf (and coffee
table) of anyone fascinated by space science.' Meteoritics
'With 160 comet and meteor images (some in colour) that range from
the realistic to the imaginative, humorous and bizarre, this work
is a visual feast. It has been well researched, copiously footnoted
and will be of lasting value as a reference volume. More
importantly, it's a good read.' Don Yeomans, Journal of the History
of Astronomy
'… a feast for both the eye and the mind.' Meteoritics
'Fire in the Sky is an exquisitely produced and profoundly original
book.' Ian Seymour, Astronomy Now
'More than 160 reproductions of paintings, photographs, and
art-objects with comets and meteors as their subjects stud this
book's pages … Fire in the Sky's illustrations chronicle the
development of British visual art concerning comets and meteors
from the late Renaissance to our own century. Across the same
period. Olson and Pasachoff trace the transformation of human
understanding of meteors and comets, from a superstitious regard of
them as volatile omens of disater or propitious births to the
modern understanding of them as predictable mechanisms in the
clockwork universe.' Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin
' … a valuable resource.' Culture and Cosmos
'It is beautifully illustrated and gives an illuminating account of
how together with a variety of scientific and artistic world views
fires in the sky have enriched our cultural heritage.' Martin
Kearns, Astronomy and Space
'This book gives an interesting insight into the history of comet
and meteor sightings throughout the centuries … I found this a
fascinating book that interweaves the contributions of science and
art to the recording of comets and meteors. It is full of carefully
selected illustrations that provide a fascinating insight into the
attitudes and beliefs held by people about these phenomena since
the seventeenth century.' Jean Sampson, OUGS Journal
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