Parallax The Race to Measure the Cosmos

This lively and entertaining history of the long struggle to measure the distance to the stars will appeal to general readers as well as to amateur and professional astronomers. Readers will encounter fascinating historical characters, from ancient Greeks to 19th-century scientists. Well illustrated, with contemporary pictures plus extensive notes on further reading. 2002 edition.

Introduction Part 1 1. Reinventing the Cosmos 2. The Circle Game 3. What if the Sun Be Center to the World? 4. Crossed Eyes and Wobbling Stars  Part 2 5. The Heavens Erupt 6. The Turbulent Lens 7. The Wrangler of Pisa 8. The Archimedean Engine 9. A Coal Cellar with a View 10. Double Vision Part 3 11. Dismal Swamp 12. The Twice-Built Telescope 13. Quest for Precision 14. So Many Grasshoppers 15. The Star in the Lyre 16. The Subtle Weave Epilogue Postscript Acknowledgments Notes and Further Reading Index