Flowers of the Sky

Richard Anthony Proctor

Jan 1883 · Chatto & Windus

Ratings and reviews

Light, gravity and our position in the universe is explored in depth with elegant, if sometimes rambling prose. The science, maths and history of fundamental phenomena of the sky are discussed with accessible analogies and useful diagrams. It provides a fascinating view of the world from a time when clocks cannot be trusted in recording the transit of Venus, and the best telescopes are measured as a few inches in diameter. There are interesting diversions into his personal achievements such as a publication of calculations of the aspect of Saturn back to 1600 when Galileo was first using a basic telescope. The chapter on Constellations rambled slowly to some interesting but unscientific contemplation on their origins. The remainder of the book is a good insight to scientific thought of 1883.