Star Names by Richard H Allen

Star Names by Richard H Allen

Here is an unusual book for anyone who appreciates the beauty and wonder of the stars. Solidly based upon years of thorough research into astronomical writings and observations of the ancient Chinese, Arabic, Euphrates, Hellenic, and Roman civilizations, it is an informative, non-technical excursion into the vast heritage of folklore and history associated with the heavenly bodies.
From his studies of the writings of scores of ancient astronomers, the author has come up with a fascinating history of the names various cultures have given the constellations, the literary and folkloristic uses that have been made of the stars through the centuries, and the often incredible associations that ancient peoples established with the stars. He covers, for example, the origins of the lunar and solar zodiacs; the use of stars and constellations in the Bible and other sacred writings, poetry, etc.; the idea of the Milky Way; how star pictures were originally set up and why; astrology and the use of stars to tell people's fortunes; and many other star curiosities. In this regard, the book touches upon not only all of the constellations (including many that long ago dropped out of star catalogues), but their important stars and such other asterisms as the Hyades, the Pleiades, the Great Nebula of Andromeda, and the Magellanic Clouds.
The book is the only complete coverage of its kind in English. It is completely non-technical, hence accessible to etymologists, anthropologists, and amateur star-gazers. But it contains so much unique reading material on early astronomical theory, so many delightful accounts drawn from the pages of books almost impossible to find today, that even the practicing astronomer will find it refreshingly new and instructive.

Allen, Richard H.: - Richard H. Allen is a retired elementary school teacher with forty years of experience, including thirty-seven years in Williston. Allen coordinated many educational programs for the schools on local history. He is a lifetime member of the Williston Historical Society and a member of the Chittenden County Historical Society. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including Our Town: Williston, VT, The Vermont Geography Book, The History of Williston Central School, 1950 to 2000 and Essex and Essex Junction

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780486210797
ISBN 10	0486210790
Title	Star Names
Author	Richard H Allen
Series	Dover Books On Astronomy
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Dover Publications Inc.
Year published	2000-02-01
Number of pages	563
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.