Star Maps: History, Artistry, and Cartography

Description

Explore the beauty and awe of the heavens through the rich celestial prints and star atlases offered in this third edition book. The author traces the development of celestial cartography from ancient to modern times, describes the relationships between different star maps and atlases, and relates these notions to our changing ideas about humanity’s place in the universe. Also covered in this book are more contemporary cosmological ideas, constellation representations, and cartographic advances. The text is enriched with 226 images (141 in color) from actual, antiquarian celestial books and atlases, each one with an explanation of unique astronomical and cartographic features. This never-before-available hardcover edition includes two new chapters on pictorial style maps and celestial images in art, as well over 50 new images. Additionally, the color plates are now incorporated directly into the text, providing readers with a vibrant, immersive look into the history of star maps. Front Matter ....Pages i-xxxvi What is a star map? (Nick Kanas)....Pages 1-17 Non-European cosmology and constellation development (Nick Kanas)....Pages 18-51 European cosmology (Nick Kanas)....Pages 52-116 European constellation development (Nick Kanas)....Pages 117-147 Early European star maps (Nick Kanas)....Pages 148-165 The “Big Four” of the Golden Age of imaged star maps (Nick Kanas)....Pages 166-213 Other important star maps of the Golden Age (Nick Kanas)....Pages 214-251 Special topics (Nick Kanas)....Pages 252-357 Mapping the stars in early America (Nick Kanas)....Pages 358-382 The transition to non-imaged star maps (Nick Kanas)....Pages 383-421 Terrestrial and celestial pictorial maps (Nick Kanas)....Pages 422-458 Celestial images in artistic paintings (Nick Kanas)....Pages 459-501 Back Matter ....Pages 502-563