Wow! eBook
The Transit of Venus Enterprise in Victorian Britain
Author(s): Jessica Ratcliff (Author)
- Publisher: Routledge
- Publication Date: 1 Jan. 2008
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 320 pages
- ISBN-10: 1851965416
- ISBN-13: 9781851965410
Book Description
In nineteenth century, the British Government spent money measuring the distance between the earth and the sun using observations of the transit of Venus. This book presents a narrative of the two Victorian transit programmes. It draws out their cultural significance and explores the nature of ‘big science’ in late-Victorian Britain.
Editorial Reviews
Review
An engaging and provocative contribution.
― Victorian Studies
An excellent history of the transit of Venus. . . . This well-researched volume, which includes 25 pages of notes, judicious use of archives, and an excellent bibliography, takes its place in the considerable literature generated by the last transit.
― Journal of the History of Astronomy
Highly recommended.
― Choice
About the Author
Jessica Ratcliff is assistant professor of science and technological studies at Cornell University.
