A Survey of the Almagest by Olaf Pedersen

A Survey of the Almagest by Olaf Pedersen

- Forward to the revised edition.- Preface.- The almagest through the ages.- Physics and philosophy in the almagest.- Ptolemy as a mathematician.- Spherical astronomy in the almagest.- The motion of the sun.- The theories of the moon.- Parallaxes and eclipses.- The fixed stars.- The superior planets.- The inferior planets.- Retrograde motions and maximum elongations.- Latitudes and visibility periods.- Epilogue-the other ptolemy.- Apendix A: dated observations.- Appendix B: numerical parameters.- Bibliography.- Index of names.- Index of subjects.- Supplementary notes.- Supplementary bibliography.

From the book reviews:

“The book is a guide to reading through the details of Ptolemy’s argument, while keeping a clear focus on the astronomical and mathematical concepts… the inclusion of supplementary material makes this edition essential for anyone studying Ptolemy or the ancient and medieval traditions of mathematical astronomy that were influenced by his work.” (Nathan Sidoli, Historia Mathematica, Vol. 39, 2012)

Pedersens Buch war und ist unverzichtbar, wenn man tiefer in den Almagest des Ptolemaios einsteigen will. Es ist daher dem Verlag zu danken, diesen modernen Klassiker mit wichtigen Zusätzen und Korrekturen nachgedruckt zu haben.

Mathematischer Semesterbericht, September 2011

Pedersen has performed his analysis with great care and technical accuracy. … [The book] is written dearly and concisely. It certainly achieves its aim of making the 'Almagest' accessible and understandable to students of the history of astronomy.

G. J. Toomer, Archives Internationales d’Histoire des Sciences

The organization of the 'Survey' … is done in such a brilliant style that makes the technically prohibiting text of the 'Almagest' an enjoyable reading within a clear historical perspective. 

George A. Saliba, Centaurus

['A Survey of the Almagest'] is a mine of well-organized, well-documented, carefully cross-indexed information. Indeed, the general reader will find it an eye-opening introduction to Greek mathematics.

Victor E. Thoren, Isis

Pedersen, Olaf: - Olaf Pedersen (1920-1997) was a leading authority on astronomy in classical antiquity and the Latin middle ages.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780387848259
ISBN 10	0387848258
Title	A Survey of the Almagest
Author	Olaf Pedersen
Series	Sources And Studies In The History Of Mathematics And Physical Sciences
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Year published	2010-11-19
Number of pages	470
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.