In the Shadow of the Moon: The Science, Magic, and Mystery of Solar Eclipses

by Anthony Aveni

Overview

From an award-winning author, astronomer, and anthropologist, an exploration of the scientific and cultural significance of the mesmerizing cosmic display.

Since the first humans looked up and saw the sun swallowed by darkness, our species has been captivated by solar eclipses. Astronomer and anthropologist Anthony Aveni explains the history and culture surrounding solar eclipses, from prehistoric Stonehenge to Babylonian creation myths, to a confirmation of Einstein’s theory of general relativity, to a spectacle that left New York City in the moon’s shadow, to future eclipses that will capture human imaginations.

In one accessible and engaging read, Aveni explains the science behind the phenomenon, tracks eclipses across the ancient world, and examines the roles of solar eclipses in modern times to reveal the profound effects these cosmic events have had on human history. Colored by his own experiences—Aveni has witnessed eight total solar eclipses in his lifetime—his account of astronomy’s most storied phenomenon will enthrall anyone who has looked up at the sky with wonder.

“Aveni’s authoritative but accessible text is the clearest statement of the way our perception of eclipses has changed over the centuries.” —Stuart Clark, New Scientist

“Authoritative and engaging.” —Marcelo Gleiser, NPR’s 13.7

“A recommended way to share the spirit of the occasion.” —Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History magazine

“Everything you need to enjoy a solar eclipse—and even predict one, just like the Babylonians did! Aveni’s entertaining explorations show the very different impacts eclipses have had on past and present cultures.” —David DeVorkin, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300227574
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	08/11/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	325
Sales rank:	485,221
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Anthony Aveni has appointments in the departments of Physics & Astronomy and Sociology & Anthropology at Colgate University. An award-winning author, he has written numerous books, including Empires of Time,Behind the Crystal Ball, and The End of Time.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Contact 1 An Introduction to Solar Eclipses

1 Colossal Celestial Spectacles 3

2 Watching People Watching Eclipses 11

3 What You See and Why You See It 24

Contact 2 Eclipses in the Ancient World

4 Eclipse Computer Stonehenge 49

5 Babylonian Decryptions 65

6 Greek Science 76

7 The Crucifixion Darkness 88

8 Ancient Chinese Secrecy 97

9 Maya Prediction 109

10 Aztec Sacrifice 121

Totality: Eclipses in the Modern Age

11 The Rebirth of Eclipse Science in Islam and Europe 133

12 The New England Eclipse of 1806 150

13 Expedition to Pike's Peak, 1878 174

14 New York's Central Park, 1925 199

Contact 3 Lessons From Eclipses

15 The Eclipse as Cartographer and Timekeeper 219

16 Zoologists Chasing Shadows 228

Contact 4 Personal Eclipses

17 Eclipses in Culture 249

Afterword: A Confession 268

Appendix: A Brief Chronology of Solar Eclipses 271

Notes 277

Acknowledgments 299

Index 301

Editorial Reviews

02/06/2017
Anticipating a pair of total eclipses that will end a 99-year-long “eclipse drought” in mainland North America, Aveni (Apocalyptic Anxiety), a pioneering cultural astronomer at Colgate University, takes a fresh look at the science—and spectacle—of solar eclipses. The earliest known record of a solar eclipse comes from a Babylonian cuneiform tablet that dates to the second century B.C.E., though ancient Chinese documents supposedly describe an eclipse that occurred in 2137 B.C.E. Recording eclipses—and, later, predicting them—kept mortals informed of the gods’ behavior; they marked the most auspicious time to carry out wars, religious ceremonies, and more. Many cultures saw eclipses as omens predicting military loss or natural disaster, Aveni explains, a habit that astrologers maintained long after humans understood how eclipses happen. Aveni relates how we’ve watched eclipses over the centuries, and his greatest pleasure is in those reports that record the observer’s emotions alongside the event. From the first recorded eclipse-chaser (who crossed North Africa in 1433 C.E. to capture the event) to the celebrated 1878 Pike’s Peak expedition and the 1925 eclipse that captivated a winter-bound New York City, Aveni’s accessible and welcoming work celebrates the enthusiasm of umbraphiles through the ages. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Aveni’s authoritative but accessible text is the clearest statement of the way our perception of eclipses has changed over the centuries.”—Stuart Clark, New Scientist

“Aveni’s accessible and welcoming work celebrates the enthusiasm of umbraphiles through the ages.”—Publishers Weekly

“Authoritative and engaging.”—Marcelo Gleiser, NPR’s 13.7

“Anthony Aveni’s panoramic look at the history and culture of solar eclipses is a recommended way to share the spirit of the occasion. . . He is a prolific writer and an engaging raconteur.”—Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History magazine

“Aveni enlightens and enthralls. His book provides the cultural and scientific history of past eclipses—and enthusiasm to see the next ones.”—Jay Pasachoff, Chair, International Astronomical Union’s Working Group on Eclipses


“Everything you need to enjoy a solar eclipse—and even predict one, just like the Babylonians did! Aveni’s entertaining explorations show the very different impacts eclipses have had on past and present cultures.”—David DeVorkin, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution 


"For the ancients, eclipses were trouble, the last thing they wanted to see, but now Anthony Aveni's new book explains why you don't want to miss the next one. In the Shadow of the Moon transports us into the history, lore, and impact of the sky's greatest spectacle and sheds light on the darkness of total eclipse."—Dr. E.C. Krupp, Director, Griffith Observatory


“Aveni gives general readers an authoritative overview of cultural astronomy with a narrative that draws on useful examples and broad-based research. He is uniquely qualified to write an important book on this fascinating subject.”—Brian Fagan, author of The Intimate Bond

“In the Shadow of the Moon is an impressive introduction to the social, cultural, and historical standing of the astronomy of solar eclipses by a uniquely qualified author.”—Simon Mitton, author of Fred Hoyle: A Life in Science

From the Publisher

“The author is a veteran of eight total solar eclipses and his enthusiasm will resonate with all budding eclipse chasers. The book gives a rich understanding of how eclipses were interpreted by past civilisations . . . ????.”—Daniel  Lynch, BBC Sky at Night

BBC Sky at Night - Daniel Lynch

"Exciting and richly informative. Aveni explores the worlds of ancient peoples and our own to show us why solar eclipses really are the greatest shows looking up from earth."--David Freidel, Washington University in St. Louis

David Freidel

“In the Shadow of the Moon is an impressive introduction to the social, cultural, and historical standing of the astronomy of solar eclipses by a uniquely qualified author.”—Simon Mitton, author of Fred Hoyle: A Life in Science

Simon Mitton

“Aveni crosses cultures and disciplines to produce a most entertaining, engaging, and informative account of the most awesome of natural celestial phenomena.”--Nicholas Campion, University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Nick Campion

“Aveni gives general readers an authoritative overview of cultural astronomy with a narrative that draws on useful examples and broad-based research. He is uniquely qualified to write an important book on this fascinating subject.”—Brian Fagan, author of The Intimate Bond

Brian Fagan

"For the ancients, eclipses were trouble, the last thing they wanted to see, but now Anthony Aveni's new book explains why you don't want to miss the next one. In the Shadow of the Moon transports us into the history, lore, and impact of the sky's greatest spectacle and sheds light on the darkness of total eclipse."—Dr. E.C. Krupp, Director, Griffith Observatory

E. C. Krupp

"Inspired by the forthcoming total solar eclipses of 2017 and 2024, astronomer and anthropologist Anthony Aveni has written a colorful, exciting, and personal story of this rare spectacular phenomenon."--Steven J. Dick, former NASA Chief Historian

Steven Dick

“A beautifully written, engaging account of solar eclipses across the ages--and very timely in light of a new wave of eclipse mania,”—Susan Milbrath, author of Heaven and Earth in Ancient Mexico: Astronomy and Seasonal Cycles in the Codex Borgia

Susan Milbrath

“Everything you need to enjoy a solar eclipse—and even predict one, just like the Babylonians did! Aveni’s entertaining explorations show the very different impacts eclipses have had on past and present cultures.”—David DeVorkin, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution 

David DeVorkin

“Aveni enlightens and enthralls. His book provides the cultural and scientific history of past eclipses--and enthusiasm to see the next ones.”--Jay Pasachoff, Chair, International Astronomical Union’s Working Group on Eclipses

Jay Pasachoff

“In the Shadow of the Moon tells of the epic influence that total solar eclipses have had on our cultural history, our scientific legacy, and our emotional states of mind. And Professor Anthony Aveni may be uniquely qualified to tell this story with his characteristic sense of wonder, wit, and wisdom.”—Neil deGrasse Tyson, author of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Neil deGrasse Tyson

"MacDonald’s book is a landmark work that lays out our multi-century human space expansion course."--S. Pete Worden, Former NASA Ames Center Director, now Chairman, Breakthrough Prize Foundation

S. Pete Worden