Bibliograph

The day the world discovered the sun, an extraordinary story of scientific adventure and the race to track the transit of Venus, Mark Anderson

Type

Label

The day the world discovered the sun, an extraordinary story of scientific adventure and the race to track the transit of Venus, Mark Anderson

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Illustrations

illustrationsmapsportraitsplates

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The day the world discovered the sun

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

744287690

Responsibility statement

Mark Anderson

Sub title

an extraordinary story of scientific adventure and the race to track the transit of Venus

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

Table Of 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

Creator