03861nam a22005655i 4500 978-3-319-23600-1 DE-He213 20210617134236.0 cr nn 008mamaa 160617s2016 gw | s |||| 0|eng d 9783319236001 978-3-319-23600-1 10.1007/978-3-319-23600-1 doi QB1-991 QB460-466 PG bicssc SCI004000 bisacsh PGC thema 520 23 McLeod, Alexus. author. aut http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/aut Astronomy in the Ancient World [electronic resource] : Early and Modern Views on Celestial Events / by Alexus McLeod. 1st ed. 2016. Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2016. VIII, 234 p. 41 illus., 34 illus. in color. online resource. text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier text file PDF rda Historical & Cultural Astronomy, 2509-310X Introduction -- The Americas -- Supernovae -- China -- Comets -- India -- Eclipses -- Europe and the West -- Astronomy Today. Alexus McLeod explores every aspect of the lesser-known history of astronomy in the Americas (Mesoamerica and North America), China and India, each through the frame of a particular astronomical phenomena. Part One considers the development of astronomy in the Americas as a response, in part, to the Supernova of 1054, which may have led to a cultural renaissance in astronomy. He then goes on to explore the contemporary understanding of supernovae, contrasting it with that of the ancient Americas.  Part Two is framed through the appearances of great comets, which had major divinatory significance in early China. The author discusses the advancement of observational astronomy in China, its influence on politics and its role in the survival or failure of empires.  Furthermore, the contemporary understanding of comets is also discussed for comparison.  Part Three, on India, considers the magnificent observatories of the Rajput king Jai Singh II, and the question of their purpose. The origins of Indian astronomy are examined in Vedic thought and its development is followed through the period of Jai Singh, including the role played by solar eclipses. The author also includes a modern explanation of our understanding of eclipses to date. In the final section of the book, McLeod discusses how ancient traditions might help modern civilization better understand Earth’s place in the cosmos. Astronomy. Astrophysics. Physics. Science—Social aspects. Anthropology. Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology. https://scigraph.springernature.com/ontologies/product-market-codes/P22006 History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics. https://scigraph.springernature.com/ontologies/product-market-codes/P29000 Societal Aspects of Physics, Outreach and Education. https://scigraph.springernature.com/ontologies/product-market-codes/P34000 Anthropology. https://scigraph.springernature.com/ontologies/product-market-codes/X12000 SpringerLink (Online service) Springer Nature eBook Printed edition: 9783319235998 Printed edition: 9783319236018 Printed edition: 9783319795072 Historical & Cultural Astronomy, 2509-310X https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23600-1 ZDB-2-PHA ZDB-2-SXP Physics and Astronomy (SpringerNature-11651) Physics and Astronomy (R0) (SpringerNature-43715)