Decoding the Heavens by Jo Marchant
The bronze fragments of an ancient Greek device have puzzled scholars for more than a century after they were recovered from the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, where they had lain since about 80 BC. Now, using advanced imaging technology, scientists have solved the mystery of its intricate workings. Unmatched in complexity for a thousand years, the mechanism functioned as the worlds first analog computer, calculating the movements of the sun, moon, and planets through the zodiac. In Decoding the Heavens, Jo Marchant details for the first time the hundred-year quest to decode this ancient computer. Along the way she unearths a diverse cast of remarkable characters-ranging from Archimedes to Jacques Cousteau-and explores the deep roots of modern technology, not only in ancient Greece, but in the Islamic world and medieval Europe. At its heart, this is an epic adventure story, a book that challenges our assumptions about technology development through the ages while giving us fresh insights into history itself.Jo Marchant is a multi-award-winning journalist who focuses on cutting-edge research. She has worked for Nature and New Scientist as a staff reporter and editor, and she is currently a consultant for the latter. She is based in London.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780306817427 |
| ISBN 10 | 030681742X |
| Title | Decoding the Heavens |
| Author | Jo Marchant |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Hachette Books |
| Year published | 2009-03-01 |
| Number of pages | 336 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |