Measuring the Universe: Cosmic Dimensions from Aristarchus to Halley - Softcover

Measuring the Universe is the first history of the evolution of cosmic dimensions, from the work of Eratosthenes and Aristarchus in the third century B.C. to the efforts of Edmond Halley (1656--1742). "Van Helden's authoritative treatment is concise and informative; he refers to numerous sources of information, draws on the discoveries of modern scholarship, and presents the first book-length treatment of this exceedingly important branch of science."--Edward Harrison, American Journal of Physics "Van Helden writes well, with a flair for clear explanation. I warmly recommend this book."--Colin A. Ronan, Journal of the British Astronomical Association

'By concentrating on a single question, 'How did the dimensions of our universe appear to us at different epochs of history?' Albert Van Helden has managed to trace a complex story through more than two millennia and endow it with excitement and new insights. 'Measuring the Universe'...reads like a detective story, because the very best astronomers are detectives of the highest rank. --Martin Harwit, Sky and Telescope