John Williams

Broschiertes Buch

Observations of Comets from BC 611 to Ad 1640

Extracted from the Chinese Annals, Translated with Introductory Remarks

Beschreibung

Long before their western counterparts, Chinese astronomers developed remarkably accurate methods for making their measurements, recording detailed observations since ancient times. Of particular interest to John Williams (1797-1874), assistant secretary to the Royal Astronomical Society, were Chinese observations of comets. Noting that previous translations of these records had been incomplete, Williams sought to produce a fuller catalogue. The present work, published in 1871, presents Chinese comet observations between 611 BCE and 1640 CE, using the encyclopaedia of Ma Duanlin and the great historical Shiji as major references. Williams provides useful context in his introductory remarks, mentioning the tests by which the accuracy of the Chinese records can be verified. He also includes chronological tables and a Chinese celestial atlas, enabling comparison between the Chinese and Western systems for dates and stars respectively.

Autor

John Williams' own personal spiritual adventure blossomed at the age of 15 during the Jesus Movement in the late 1960s. His brother came home from VietNam, dragged him to church and that was it. Saved, once and for all. John began to play guitar, write songs and perform at churches and concerts. John wrote all the songs on an album he recorded in 1976 called Perfect Peace. This opened him up to the endless possibilities of his creative nature. Once the Charismatic Movement died down, John briefly attended bible college where he entered an annual poetry contest. "Do you want to win an easy $25?" the flyer read. John's friend encouraged him to enter, so right then and there, he scribbled a poem on a napkin. A bed two bibles one roughly open, One roughly torn, another resting on my shelf. Rain dripping heavily at my window, Wind blowing. I can't sleep. A bed two bibles one roughly open, One roughly torn, another dusty one on my shelf. An ash tray, two crumpled, smoked butts They just lie there, tired. The T.V. in the other room. Why does it throw my parents to a trance. I hate you T.V. But I have a bed two bibles one roughly open, One roughly torn, another dirty one on my shelf, Saying "read me." She typed the poem up, and a week later John was congratulated at Chapel for winning the contest. The poem was read to the student body and John received a $25 check while shaking hands all around. John suddenly became a paid published and read author at the age of nineteen. Prior to these accomplishments, John's high school art teacher chose his unique art to be displayed at Oregon Congressman Dellenback's office for a whole year. John graduated from the University of Oregon in Political Science in 1982 and currently lives in sunny Arizona with his wife Christine.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Cambridge University Press
• Seitenzahl: 186
• Erscheinungstermin: 15. September 2014
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 297mm x 210mm x 11mm
• Gewicht: 499g
• ISBN-13: 9781108078115
• ISBN-10: 1108078117
• Artikelnr.: 41612348