Screen LibraryThe day the world discovered the sun : an extraordinary story of scientific adventure and the race to track the transit of Venus /
On June 3, 1769, the planet Venus briefly passed across the face of the sun in a cosmic alignment that occurs twice per century. Anticipation of the rare celestial event sparked a worldwide competition among aspiring global superpowers, each sending their own scientific expeditions to far-flung dest...
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| Literature type: | Book |
| Language: | English |
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| Summary: |
On June 3, 1769, the planet Venus briefly passed across the face of the sun in a cosmic alignment that occurs twice per century. Anticipation of the rare celestial event sparked a worldwide competition among aspiring global superpowers, each sending their own scientific expeditions to far-flung destinations to time the planet's trek. Anderson reveals the stories of three Venus Transit voyages-- to the heart of the Arctic, the New World, and the Pacific-- that risked every mortal peril of a candlelit age. |
| Carrier Form: | vii, 280 p., [4] p. of plates : ill., map, ports. ; 24 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: |
9780306820380 (hbk.) : 0306820382 (hbk.) |
| Index Number: | QB372 |
| CLC: | P128-09 |
| Call Number: | P128-09/A548 |
| Contents: | A star in the sun -- The choicest wonders -- Flying bridges -- The mighty dimensions -- The book and the ship -- Voyage en Californie -- Great expedition -- Some unfrequented part -- A shining band -- Fort Venus -- Behind the sky -- Subjects and discoveries -- Sail to the southward -- Eclipse. |