Great Astronomers
Robert Stawell Ball
Lu par MaryAnn
Of all the natural sciences there is not one which offers such sublime objects to the attention of the inquirer as does the science of astronomy. From the earliest ages the study of the stars has exercised the same fascination as it possesses at the present day. Among the most primitive peoples, the movements of the sun, the moon, and the stars commanded attention from their supposed influence on human affairs.
From the days of Hipparchus down to the present hour the science of astronomy has steadily grown. One great observer after another has appeared from time to time, to reveal some new phenomenon with regard to the celestial bodies or their movements, while from time to time one commanding intellect after another has arisen to explain the true import of the facts of observations. The history of astronomy thus becomes inseparable from the history of the great men to whose labours its development is due. In the ensuing chapters we have endeavoured to sketch the lives and the work of the great philosophers, by whose labours the science of astronomy has been created. (from the Introduction) (9 hr 15 min)
Chapitres
| Preface and Introduction | 11:49 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Ptolemy | 35:38 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Copernicus | 18:47 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Tycho Brahe | 28:20 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Galileo | 43:26 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Kepler | 28:17 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Isaac Newton | 44:32 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Flamsteed | 22:34 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Halley | 38:43 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Bradley | 21:50 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| William Herschel | 23:48 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Laplace | 21:20 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Brinkley | 21:24 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| John Herschel | 37:02 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| The Earl of Rosse | 21:32 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Airy | 21:52 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Hamilton | 51:52 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Le Verrier | 33:02 | Lu par MaryAnn |
| Adams | 29:42 | Lu par MaryAnn |
Critiques
Pteryx Karma
The reader is by far the best I've ever heard. Pronunciation perfect, Voice exquisite. Pk Sydney Australia
Good book, great reading
A LibriVox Listener
The book is very detailed and contains mainly biography with a smaller amount of scientific advancements. The book often alludes to the discovery but spares the details of it. I've listened to dozens of Librivox recordings and Mary Ann is by far the greatest. She captures the authors emotion. This book contains many Latin, French, and other foreign quotes which the she pronounces without missing a beat. Great work!
Great Astronomers
Olddurro
A useful introduction. Beautifully read.
An informative and entertaining book
Artjunkie
This book is a great resource for famous astronomers, and the way their theories were influenced by the time they lived in. I highly recommend it for people who are fascinated by astronomy and how people think, or beliefs people had back then without the knowledge we have now. :)
The reader is a gem!
Charles Solomon
The biographies are inspiring and stimulating. I wonder who else have been considered worthy to join this illustrious list over the years. Mary Ann did an excellent job.
A LibriVox Listener
Most excellent history of the works of our past astronomers. Mary Ann is a pleasure to listen to and never seems to faulter on any of the terminology.
All thumbs up!
Jason Todd
Great book and great reader, but I could fall asleep to her voice. It's just kind of rhythmical.
Johnny
A very interesting read highlighting the progression of astronomy and mathematics throughout history .