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This book assesses the origin of asteroids by analyzing the discovery of Vesta in 1807. Wilhelm Olbers, who discovered Vesta, suggested that the asteroids were the result of a primordial planet’s explosion. Cunningham studies that idea in detail through the writings of Sir David Brewster in Scotland, the era's most prolific writer about the asteroids. He also examines the link between meteorites and asteroids, revealing a synergy between Ernst Chladni, Romantic symbolism, and the music of the spheres. Vesta was a lightning rod for controversy throughout the nineteenth century with observers arguing over its size and color, and the astounding notion that it was self-luminous. It was also a major force for change, as new methods in the field of celestial mechanics were developed to study the orbital perturbations it is subject to. A large selection of private correspondence and scientific papers complete the first comprehensive historical study of Vesta ever published. With a synoptic look at the four asteroids, Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta, Cunningham provides a valuable resource on asteroid origins and explains how they were integrated into the newly revealed solar system of the early nineteenth century.  .

Physics. --- History. --- Planetology. --- Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- History of Science. --- History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics. --- Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics). --- Observations. --- Asteroids --- Orbits. --- Orbits --- Astrophysics. --- Astronomical physics --- Cosmic physics --- Physics --- Planetary sciences --- Planetology --- Annals --- Auxiliary sciences of history --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Space sciences. --- Science and space --- Space research --- Cosmology --- Science --- Natural philosophy --- Philosophy, Natural --- Physical sciences --- Dynamics --- Astronomical observations --- Observations, Astronomical

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This book presents a modern scholarly analysis of issues associated with England’s most famous astronomer, William Herschel. The world’s leading experts on Herschel, discoverer of the planet Uranus, here offer their combined wisdom on many aspects of his life and astronomical research. Solar system topics include comets, Earth’s Moon, and the spurious moons of Uranus, all objects whose observation was pioneered by Herschel.  The contributors examine his study of the structure of the Milky Way and an in-depth look at the development of the front view telescopes he built. The popular subject of extraterrestrial life is looked at from the point of view of both William Herschel and his son John, both of whom had an interest in the topic. William’s personal development through the educational system of the late eighteenth-century is also explored, and the wide range of verse and satire in various languages associated with his discoveries is collected here for the first time. Hershel worked at a time of incredible discovery, and his work is still highly regarded in the field. Here it is given a thorough investigation which puts into context and perspective his path breaking career.

Physics. --- History. --- Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics. --- History of Science. --- Observations. --- Astronomers --- Herschel, William, --- Physical sciences --- Space sciences --- Gershelʹ, Fridrikh Vilʹgelʹm, --- Gershelʹ, Vilʹi︠a︡m, --- Herschel, Frederick William, --- Herschel, Friedrich Wilhelm, --- Herschel, Wilhelm, --- Annals --- Auxiliary sciences of history --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Natural philosophy --- Philosophy, Natural --- Dynamics --- Astronomical observations --- Observations, Astronomical