Includes bibliographical references (p. [187]-197) and index.

Acknowledgments; 1. Shared Expectations; 2. The Beginnings: Aristarchus and Hipparchus; 3. Ptolemy; 4. The Ptolemaic System Enshrined; 5. Copernicus and Tycho; 6. Young Kepler; 7. Galileo and the Telescope; 8. Kepler's Synthesis; 9. Gassendi, Hortensius, and the Transit of Mercury of 1631; 10. From Horrocks to Riccioli; 11. The Micrometer from Huygens to Flamsteed; 12. Cassini, Flamsteed, and the New Measure; 13. The New Consensus and Halley's Legacy; 14. Conclusion: Measurement, Theory, and Speculation; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Measuring the Universe is the first history of the evolution of cosmic dimensions, from the work of Eratosthenes and Aristarchus in the third century B.C. to the efforts of Edmond Halley (1656--1742). "Van Helden's authoritative treatment is concise and informative; he refers to numerous sources of information, draws on the discoveries of modern scholarship, and presents the first book-length treatment of this exceedingly important branch of science."--Edward Harrison, American Journal of Physics. "Van Helden writes well, with a flair for clear explanation. I warmly recommend this.

Description based on print version record.