1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910300368303321

Autore

Buick Tony

Titolo

Orrery [[electronic resource] ] : A Story of Mechanical Solar Systems, Clocks, and English Nobility / / by Tony Buick

Pubbl/distr/stampa

New York, NY : , : Springer New York : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2014

ISBN

1-4614-7043-9

Edizione

[1st ed. 2014.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (312 p.)

Collana

Astronomers' Universe, , 1614-659X

Disciplina

312

Soggetti

Observations, Astronomical

Astronomy—Observations

Astronomy

History

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques

Popular Science in Astronomy

History of Science

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Ancient Forms of Orreries -- Development of Scientific and Astronomical Instruments -- Tompion and Tellurions -- The Age of Clocks and Precision Engineering -- George Graham, the Clockmaker -- John Rowley and the Earl of Orrery -- The Earl of Orrery -- Orreries -- The Legacy.

Sommario/riassunto

To find the true story of the orrery, this book takes the reader to the vibrant, tumultous London of the 1600s. A mechanical model that shows the movements of the Moon and planets, the orrery takes its name from the Boyle family – the Earls of Orrery. Here is the fascinating story of the origins of this intricate device. Orreries are found everywhere. They appear in paintings, on the side of royal clocks, in stately home hallways, and of course, in museums all over the world. Scientific instruments to demonstrate the movements of the planets and predict their positions using measuring devices, they were devised largely by clockmakers, but many others played a role too and are given due credit. The story of the Boyles is not just relevant to a tiny corner of Ireland, but spans history. “Orrery” highlights the process



of discovery and humankind’s universal fascination with the heavens, providing a fascinating example of the relationship between innovative thinking (invention) and precision engineering (execution). It will appeal to anyone interested in popular astronomy, astronomical mechanical devices, scientific instruments, the history of clocks  - and even the history of aristocratic and prestigious families!