Synopses & Reviews
Presented for the first time in popular form is the fascinating true story of the search for the phantom planet Vulcan. As with legends of "the lost continent of Atlantis," scientists and dreamers alike have sought to prove that Vulcan is more than just a myth. Historians of astronomy Richard Baum and William Sheehan have combed the continents, digging through dusty letters and journals, to unravel this mysterious and captivating tale. The planet first assumed a shadowy reality against a backdrop of war and revolution early in the nineteenth century. Le Verrier, the autocratic Director of the Paris Observatory, had unveiled a problem with the motion of the planet Mercury. The indications were of a planet closer to the sun than Mercury. Incredibly, the prediction was immediately fulfilled by an obscure French country doctor using no more than a homemade telescope. The planet, named for the Roman god of fire, was no sooner discovered than it was lost. Still it reappeared often enough to tantalize even skeptics into considering its shadowy existence possible. This fast-paced tale follows the exploits of Le Verrier, and later of his followers, in a pursuit of his unbridled obsessions: to extend the universality of Newton's Laws, to prove Vulcan's existence, and to secure his place in history as one of the greatest astronomers of his time. Stranger than fiction, the story reaches an exciting climax in the final showdown in the unlikeliest of places: America's Wild West. Like gunslingers at high noon, determined astronomers of the opposing camps brave Indians and the elements in their attempt to prove once and for all whether the planet exists. They congregate with some of the most illustrious names of their time for the final test: a grand eclipse of the sun.
Synopsis
"A beautiful blend of detective story, character profile, and history of science....spellbinding and rewarding". -- Dave Either, Managing Editor, Astronomy
"This saga is beautifully recalled and meticulously documented". -- Leif J, Robinson, Editor-in-Chief, Sky and Telescope
Here for the first time in popular form is the fascinating true story of the search for the phantom planet Vulcan. Newton's laws anticipated a planet closer to the sun than Mercury. Named "Vulcan" for the Roman god of fire, the planet was no sooner spotted in the nineteenth century than lost. Still, it reappeared enough to tantalize even skeptics into considering its shadowy existence possible. This fast-paced tale follows the true exploits of the autocratic astronomer Le Verrier, and later his followers, in what grows to be his unbridled obsessions: to extend the universality of Newton's Laws, to prove Vulcan's existence, and to secure his place in history as one of the greatest astronomers of his time.
The suspense builds as the saga invokes the best and worst of humankind: man at his noblest and at his pettiest. In what becomes a worldwide obsession to prove or disprove Vulcan's existence, we witness the intrigue, the games of intimidation, and the passionate strategies played by rivaling scientists and nations as they vie to "win" the glory of discovering a new planet. Stranger than fiction, the story reaches an exciting climax in the final showdown in the unlikeliest of places: a solar eclipse as viewed in America's Wild West. Exquisitely told, this irresistible tale is destined to become a classic.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 297-306) and index.