Under Newton's Shadow

The influence of Newton and the Royal Society during the 17th century has always overshadowed the activities of other contemporary figures in astronomy. This book demonstrates the extent and significance of their particular contributions to observational astronomy, and to show how social, educational and economic factors affected their work. This survey of the characters and personal lives of British astronomers of the period - Edmond Halley, Robert Hooke, John Flamsteed and other less well known figures - will interest historians, astronomers, historians of science and astronomy, amateur astronomers, and the general reader.