Seen as a flash point of the Scientific Revolution, early modern astronomy witnessed an explosion of views about the function and structure of the world. This study explores these theories in a wide variety of settings, and challenges our view of modern science as the straightforward successor of Aristotelian natural philosophy.

Features articles that challenge our historical view of science in new ways Provides the most comprehensive historical study of the new stars of 1572 and 1604 Contributes a superior understanding of the role of astrology in early modern science Surveys the history of science in Spain and other neglected countries

Inhalt

1. Acknowledgments.- 2. Notes on Contribtutors.- 3. Introduction.- 4. The Reality of Peurbachs Orbs , (Barker).- 5. Continuity and change in cosmological ideas in Spain between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, (Navarro Brontos).- 6. Cornelius Gemma and the new star of 1572 ,(Tessicini).- 7. Johannes Kepler and David Fabricius: their discussion on the nova of 1604, Grandada.- 8. Kepler's copernican campaign and the new star of1604 , (Boner).- 9. From cosmos to confession:.- Kepler and the connection between astronomical and religious truth, (Rothman).- 10. Johannes phocylides holwarda and the interpretation of new stars in the dutch republic, (Vermij).- 11. Discovering mira ceti:celestial change & cosmic continuity, (Hatch).