Quirky Sides of Scientists (eBook)

http://history.uwinnipeg.ca/topper.html David R. Topper is Professor of History at the University of Winnipeg where, since 1970, he has taught courses in the history of science and the history of art. He was the recipient of two teaching awards: the Robson Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching at the University of Winnipeg (1981), and the National 3M Teaching Fellowship (1987). Since 1982 he has been an international co-editor and, from 2005, honorary editor of the journal Leonardo. His recent publications are on matters related to the work of Galileo, Newton, and Einstein.

Acknowledgments 6
A Note on the Figures 7
Contents 8
Prelude 11
Tenacity and Stubbornness: Einstein on Theory and Experiment 13
1.1. Tenacity 13
1.2. Stubbornness 17
1.3. EinsteinÌs Experiment 20
Notes and References 23
Convergence or Coincidence: Ancient Measurements of the Sun and MoonÛ How Far? 25
2.1. The Speed of Light 25
2.2. Ancient Astronomy: Ptolemy 27
2.3. AristarchusÌs Measurement and PtolemyÌs Model 29
Notes and References 34
The Rationality of Simplicity: Copernicus on Planetary Motion 35
3.1. Planetary Motion: Geocentrism 35
3.2. Heliocentrism: The Hierarchy of the Planets 40
3.3. Heliocentrism: Planetary Distances 42
3.4. Copernicus and Simplicity 44
3.5. Copernicus and Complexity 45
Notes and References 50
The Silence of Scientists: VenusÌs Brightness, EarthÌs Precession, and the Nebula in Orion 52
4.1. Ptolemy on Venus 52
4.2. Copernicus on Venus 55
4.3. Galileo on Venus 57
4.4. Galileo, Sunspots, and Precession 61
4.5. Galileo and Nebulae 71
Notes and References 74
Progress Through Error: Stars and QuasarsÛ How Big, How Far? 76
5.1. Copernicus and the Distance of Stars 76
5.2. Tycho and Parallax 78
5.3. Galileo on the Stars 84
5.4. Quasars and Cosmology 86
Notes and References 92
The Data Fit the Model but the Model is Wrong: Kepler and the Structure of the Cosmos 93
6.1. Neutrinos and SydneyÌs Opera House 93
6.2. Kepler and GodÌs Mind 95
6.3. Kepler and the Equant 104
6.4. KeplerÌs Music of the Heavens, and Beyond 108
Notes and References 114
Art Illustrates Science: Galileo, a Blemished Moon, and a Parabola of Blood 116
7.1. Galileo and Cigoli 116
7.2. Galileo and Artemisia 122
Notes and References 128
Ensnared in Circles: Galileo and the Law of Projectile Motion 129
8.1. The Problem with Projectiles 129
8.2. GalileoÌs Abstraction 131
8.3. The Relativity of Motion and the Rotating Earth 133
8.4. GalileoÌs Inertia in Context 136
Notes and References 143
Aesthetics and Holism: Newton on Light, Color, and Music 144
9.1. Newton Creates the Spectrum 144
9.2. Newton Counts the Colors 148
9.3. From Colors to Music 151
9.4. NewtonÌs Holism 153
Notes and References 157
Missing OneÌs Own Discovery Newton and the First Idea of an Artificial Satellite 159
10.1. The Principia Project: Origin and Execution 159
10.2. NewtonÌs SketchÛand the Problem 164
10.3. The Projectile Path: What Did Newton Know? 167
10.4. Newton and Hooke: A Debate Over a Spiral 173
Notes and References 176
A Change of Mind: Newton and the Comet(s?) of 1680 and 1681 177
11.1. Comets and a Celestial Physics 178
11.2. NewtonÌs Struggle with a Celestial Physics 185
Notes and References 190
A Well-Nigh Discovery: Einstein and the Expanding Universe 191
12.1. Nebulae and Galaxies 191
12.2. EinsteinÌs Cosmological Model 192
12.3. Observational Astronomy in the Early 20th Century 195
12.4. Einstein Defends His Cosmological Constant 200
Notes and References 203
Postlude 204
Notes and References 205