The mapping of the heavens

the long version

"In this illustrated book, Peter Whitfield reveals some of the many ways in which the underlying structure of the universe has been conceived and explained. He shows how the study of the mechanism of the universe has led inevitably to a wider search for its creator and ruler. With examples ranging from the Stone Age to the Space Age - ancient observatories, the angelic visions of Dante, images from the Copernican Revolution, the rationalized heavens of Newton and Flamsteed, through to modern deep space photography - he offers a challenging and entertaining exploration of the tension between rigorous scientific knowledge and the continuing search for cause, certainty and harmony in the universe."--BOOK JACKET.