Eclipse: The Celestial Phenomenon That Changed the Course of History by Duncan Steel (PDF)

Description

Whether interpreted as an auspicious omen or a sentinel of doom, eclipses have had a profound effect upon our cultural development. Throughout recorded history, they have evoked consternation, fear, and dread?as well as awe and wonderment.

Ancient peoples were clearly disconcerted by them. The Romans marked pivotal battles with the Greeks by references to an eclipse. The date of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ has been derived by using biblical mentions of an eclipse. Perhaps most famously, Christopher Columbus extorted much-needed foodstuffs from some increasingly unfriendly native hosts by purporting to demonstrate the wrath of his most powerful God when he accurately predicted a lunar eclipse.

The pattern that eclipses follow?a cycle, called the saros?was actually calculated thousands of years ago. However, it is only with the help of modern computers that we have been able to analyze and appreciate the data. Eclipses provide unique opportunities for today’s scientists to study such contrasting phenomena as the upper layers of the sun, the slowdown of our planet’s spin rate, and the effects of celestial events on human psychology.

In Eclipse, Duncan Steel expertly captures our continuing fascination with all manner of eclipses?including the familiar solar and lunar varieties and other kinds involving stars, planets, asteroids, and comets as well as distant galaxies and quasars. Steel helps us see that, in astronomical terms, eclipses are really rather straightforward affairs. Moving beyond the mysticism and the magic, the science of eclipses is revealed.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: From Library Journal Many books have been written about eclipses, but few are as comprehensive as this one, first published in Britain in 2001 and now rewritten for a U.S. audience with new chapters that describe famous American eclipses, such as the Rocky Mountain eclipse of 1878. Steel, an astronomer and author of two previous books on asteroid and comet-impact hazards, clearly describes the science and history of solar and lunar eclipses. He also explains other kinds of eclipses, such as transits (when a planet passes in front of the sun) and occultations (when a planet or asteroid passes in front of a star or other body). Some cultures, he continues, saw eclipses as a message from God, and some used advance knowledge of them to manipulate the ignorant. Steel adds that eclipses have played a role in advancing scientific knowledge about, for example, the sun’s chromosphere. His informative book is recommended for all astronomy collections. Jeffrey Beall, Univ. of Colorado Lib., Denver Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist Astronomer Steel surveys eclipses of all types, although the solar variety get marquee billing. Frequently Steel relates the circumstances surrounding particularly famous eclipses, such as the one in 1919 that vindicated Einstein’s theory of general relativity; elsewhere, he reaches back in history to describe superstitious reactions to eclipses. Steel’s compendium ranges from entertaining information about eclipses to the scientific significance of the vast amount of technical information astronomers have teased out of these events. Such information includes that derived from studying the sun’s corona; measurements of distances to the moon and sun; and, in combination with eclipse records made by ancient civilizations, deductions made about the lengthening day or the moon’s recession from the earth. Steel’s ambit also encompasses the uses made of occultations, such as measuring the shapes of asteroids, and of the rare transits of Venus across the solar disk, which James Cook measured during saunters in the South Seas in 1769. Generously illustrated, Steel’s informative discourse also promises staying power by ending with a guide to the next two decades of solar eclipses. Gilbert TaylorCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Review “…fascinating stories of history and science…” — MERCURY, Jan/Feb 2002″Advanced astronomy students will enjoy this in-depth exploration.” — Booklist, October 15, 2001″Generously illustrated, Steel’s informative discourse…promises staying power by ending with a guide to the next two decades of solar eclipses.” — Booklist, October 15, 2001 From the Inside Flap Since the dawn of time, eclipses have been perceived as peculiarly portentous events, evoking consternation, fear, and dread—as well as awe and wonder—and they have had a profound effect upon our cultural development. The Romans marked pivotal battles with the Greeks by references to an eclipse. The date of the Crucifixion has been derived by using biblical mentions of an eclipse. And as part of a brazen plan, Christopher Columbus accurately predicted an impending eclipse, enabling him to extricate himself from a run-in with unfriendly natives. In this sweeping saga of science and civilization, astronomer Duncan Steel explains everything you thought you could ever learn about eclipses, and then some. For eclipses occur not only within the sun-earth-moon system, but also on Jupiter, Saturn, and many other planets; in double-star systems; even between galaxies and quasars. Much more than just a heavenly curiosity, eclipses constitute a laboratory for the vast, mysterious universe. In 1919, an eclipse of the sun was used to prove a key element of Einstein’s theory of general relativity once and for all, catapulting the scientist into the international spotlight. Today, astronomers are using the Hubble Space Telescope and vast arrays of radio telescopes to determine how the images of distant quasars are distorted and amplified through “gravitational lensing” by intervening galaxies. Through fascinating stories of history and science, and almost 100 beautiful illustrations, eclipses are revealed as unique opportunities to study the science of our universe and the perplexing effects of celestial events on human psychology. For the enterprising reader or amateur astronomer, Eclipse includes an appendix that will show you how calculate and predict future eclipses of all kinds. “…enthralling … gripping … an excellent overview of the history and astronomy of the phenomenon.” New Scientist (London) “No one should end their life’s journey without experiencing a total eclipse of the Sun, nature’s most beautiful yet fearsome gift. Many other bodies in the universe—from tiny minor planets to giant clusters of galaxies—also eclipse and are eclipsed. These rare happenings have a rich history, human as well as scientific, here nicely compiled by a gifted astronomer and science writer.” Leif J. Robinson Editor Emeritus, Sky & Telescope. “Beginning with an unusual view of the most famous eclipse of all time, Steele entertains with fascinating facts, anecdotes and trivia about one of Nature’s most awesome spectacles.” Gerrit L. Verschuur Author of Impact: The Threat of Comets and Asteroids and Hidden Attraction: The History and Mystery of Magnetism “…casts a wonderful light on the Earth-darkening event.” Daily Telegraph (London) “Total solar eclipses are the most awe-inspiring celestial phenomena that occur, and Duncan Steel tells us how and why in his book Eclipse. The human interest stories of past eclipses mix with eclipse science to show readers why they should travel thousands of miles for the thrill of eclipses and what past scientists and tourists have found and experienced.” Jay M. Pasachoff Field Memorial Professor of Astronomy, Williams College and Chair of the Working Group on Solar Eclipses of the International Astronomical Union Who’d have imagined that eclipses–those mere wandering shadows–could lead us on such an enthralling tour of cultural as well as scientific history? Steel’s deft tracing of the choreography of our earth, sun, and moon lets us behold this awe-inspiring dance “with the eye of the mind.” Dennis R. Danielson Editor of The Book of the Cosmos About the Author Duncan Steel is an astronomer at the University of Salford in Manchester, England, with a special interest in the dynamics of solar system objects and the effects of celestial events on ancient civilizations. His book, Rogue Asteroids and Doomsday Comets, was the first popular book on the asteroid and comet impact hazard and was the main impetus for the rash of television documentaries and Hollywood films on the subject. A native of the United Kingdom, Steel has also lived and worked in the United States, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand. He currently lives in Knutsford, England. Asteroid 4713 Steel was named for him by the International Astronomical Union. Read more

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Steel melds his knowledge of history and science in a highly readable book. To propel his discussion of celestial bodies, he uses the fuel of such stories as:* Einstein’s theory of relativity as vindicated by an Eclipse* Alexander’s defeat of Darius the day after an eclipse in 331 BC.* The bible’s use of moon language, speaking of days where the moon will be darkened (some kind of eclipse?)With facts like this, Steel keeps us following a provocative discussion of the moon and its cycles. The history lessons are interspersed with scientific facts so that after a while one doesn’t know if he is reading a history book or a science novel.As the author points out, the Eclipse as a phenomena in the sky held special cultic meaning for the Ancient Near Eastern religions (esp. the Egyptians). But one is left wondering if Steel is accurate at all points of history. For example, when arguing from the Bible about supposed eclipse accounts therein, he sees the story Abraham as alluding to one, “And when the sun was going down…great darkness fell upon him.” Because he sees this text as an eclipse, he dates the time of Abraham to 9 May 1533 BC 6:30pm. What is interesting in this is that there is an actual internet database maintained by NASA that allows the author (and us!) to track all eclipses for all time. Indeed, there was an eclipse visible in Jerusalem in 1533, but does that mean that the text in question is talking about an eclipse? Steel may be misreading the biblical data, but it is only a small distraction from his great book.It should be noted, Steel’s book is not only about the moon, but about all of the celestial bodies and man’s reaction to their appearances (Mars, comets, famous meteor storms, etc.).This book is a good introduction for the novice about such things as “blue moons”, “the diamond ring” affect, eclipses in general, the calendar and the moon, and other such relevant topics.I first heard of Duncan Steel when he was interviewed on NPR in June of 2002; the audio of that was once available on the internet.

⭐On a lonely road in the Australian outback,November 14, 2012, who should drive up and pull over to watch the total solar eclipse with us, but Duncan Steel! Came straight home and ordered his book. What an experience! Can’t wait to read his book.

⭐This book is all about history, wars, and the involvement of eclipses within them. Eclipses are kinda-sorta predictable. The ancients used eclipses as a useful part of their lives. What I like about this book is that it catches the imagination of the eclipse viewer and simple calculations in the appendix.

⭐I got this book as a Christmas gift, after which it sat on my shelf unread for years, only occasionally glanced at. Yet, on some whim I picked it up, started reading, and was hooked at once, and soon wondered why I didn’t do this a long time ago.I’ve read quite a few astronomy books in my day (and browsed many more), and found none quite as nifty as this one: equal parts science, history, and trivia, it’s a light and thoroughly engaging read that I recommend for anyone interested in the eclipse phenomenon. Serious enthusiasts might prefer a harder, more mathematically-bent text, but chances are that many newbies will come away from this book feeling they could write about eclipses themselves, and they might be half-right.A keeper.

⭐This is an unusually comprehensive book about lunar and solar eclipses. I only wish that the book were a larger format and contained color illustrations instead of just black and white.The book is relatively small at 7.25 x 5.25 inches, and so the illustrations are quite small. The only color photo is on the cover jacket, which is a shame. I recognize a number of the B&W illustrations, and so I know that the originals were in color.Despite its shortcomings, this book is a welcome addition to my eclipse library.

⭐Contrary to what you see in the book and here, the 1919 eclipse evidence was actually more “believing is seeing”. As William Corliss wrote:”On the day of the eclipse, Principe was bedevilled by clouds, and only 2 photographic plates were deemed marginally acceptable. At Sobral, 18 poor plates and 8 better plates were obtained. The problem was that the 18 poor plates yielded a deflection of starlight much smaller than predicted by Relativity, while the 8 better plates produced a much higher value. By adding the 2 plates from Principe to the mix, Eddington managed to come up with a number close to that required by the Theory of Relativity. It was not the clear-cut victory for Einstein that the textbooks proclaim. Yet the spin was on!”[‘Science Frontiers’, William R. Corliss, #126, Nov-Dec 1999]Steel is in the camp of Clube and Napier, and as he badmouthed Velikovsky at least once in print I’m reluctant to review this book or anything else he’s written. Still, as an introduction to the astronomical / astrological impact made on ancient societies, this book is probably a good choice. Steel has been involved in the search for asteroids on collision courses with the Earth, but his interest in Clube and Napier seems to have resulted in a certain amount of being held at arm’s length. I noticed this in a David Morrison review of Steel’s “Rogue Asteroids”.I have plenty of objections to using eclipses to date anything. More to the point, everyone should have at least some reservations:”At 8.45 on the morning of 15 April 136 BC, Babylon was plunged into darkness when the Moon passed in front of the Sun. An astrologer, who recorded the details in cuneiform characters on a clay tablet, wrote: “At 24 degrees after sunrise-a solar eclipse. When it began on the southwest side, Venus, Mercury and the normal stars were visible. Jupiter and Mars, which were in their period of disappearance, became visible. The Sun threw off the shadow from southwest to northeast.” If present-day astronomers use a computer to run the movements of the Earth, Moon and Sun backwards from their present positions, like a movie in reverse, they find something very odd. The total eclipse of 15 April 136 BC should not have been visible from Babylon at all.” [‘In the shadow of the Moon’, New Scientist, 30 January 1999]The rather more expensive “Historical Eclipses and Earths Rotation” by F. Richard Stephenson makes a good subsequent read, and is the source of the information in the above quote. Steel’s book will make a decent introduction to the eclipse topic also, but remember to take it with a grain of salt.

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