The Starry Messenger

Name: The Starry Messenger
ISBN: 9787208166134

伽利略 / 范海登Shanghai People's Publishing House · ChinaNov 2020

4.5

Word count: 78K words
Chapters: 9
ISBN: 9787208166134

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Summary

Star Messenger is one of the early works of the renowned Italian physicist Galileo, a work in the history of science that records the discoveries made through an optical telescope of the surface conditions of the Moon, the state of the Milky Way, and the characteristics of Jupiter's moons. The book consists of six parts: the translator's preface, two prefaces to the English edition and an introduction, the main text, and a conclusion. Apart from the "Dedication," the main text is divided into eight sections: "On the Introduction of the Telescope," "Observation of the Lunar Surface," "Conjectures on Lunar Phenomena," "The Mountains on the Moon Are Higher Than Those on Earth," "Explanation of the Ashen Light of the Moon," "Observation and Discussion of the Milky Way," "Observation and Discussion of the Milky Way," and "Discovery of the Four Satellites of Jupiter." It records in detail the scientific process by which Galileo, through the telescope, came to a new understanding of the "universe." It possesses both scientific and historical value, and is a rare work that combines historical significance with the popularization of science.

Editor's review

Sidereus Nuncius (The Starry Messenger) is a groundbreaking work published by Galileo in 1610; the Latin title literally means "Starry Messenger." This is not a science fiction novel but a rigorous scientific observation report that announced a new era of humanity observing the universe with the telescope. In the book, Galileo records in detail his breakthrough discoveries using a telescope he made himself: the surface of the Moon, numerous stars, and the moons of Jupiter. These observations directly challenged the Aristotelian cosmology and Ptolemaic geocentrism dominant at the time and provided strong empirical evidence for Copernican heliocentrism. Reading this book, one can directly feel the thrilling tension on the eve of the scientific revolution. It shows how Galileo combined theoretical reasoning, instrumental innovation, and precise observation; its argumentation is clear and its chain of evidence complete, making it a model of scientific writing. This edition from Shanghai People's Publishing House usually includes detailed annotations and relevant historical background, helping modern readers bridge time and space to understand the intellectual earthquake these discoveries caused at the time. This is not only a classic in the history of science but also a timeless textbook on how to observe, how to think, and how to challenge authority with evidence.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with a strong interest in the history of science and astronomy who want to learn about the early use of the telescope
Explorers who want to experience the spirit of the scientific revolution from primary texts rather than settling for secondhand summaries
Those curious about the concrete evidence behind the transformation of worldview in the age of Galileo and Copernicus
Writers and researchers who appreciate rigorous, clear, and powerful scientific reporting

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a science fiction or fictional story with a dramatic plot
Those who only want a quick grasp of the conclusions and lack patience for historical details and the observation process

Reading tips

Read the translator's introduction or appendix first to understand the early 17th-century academic context and the technical limitations of the telescope.
While reading, compare with modern lunar photographs or star charts to appreciate the astonishing accuracy of Galileo's observations and depictions.
Consider how Galileo organized his evidence: from the Moon to the stars to Jupiter's moons, his argumentative structure is highly crafted.

About the publisher

Shanghai People's Publishing House China · Founded in 1951

Shanghai People's Publishing House is a comprehensive publisher whose list focuses on academic monographs and general-interest titles in philosophy, social sciences, politics and law, economics and management, and history. Among its books are Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties History in the Chinese Dynastic History series; The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy in foreign literature; the Wenjing Classical Translation Illustrated Edition of The Complete Greek Tragedies of Euripides; and works of social theory such as Max Weber's Economy and Society and Dialectic of Enlightenment: Philosophical Fragments. Its authors include Wang Zhongluo, J.R.R. Tolkien, Luo Niansheng, and Zhou Zuoren.

版权信息
常识背后的智慧和勇气
英文第二版序言
英文第一版序言
英文版导言
星际信使
献给最尊贵的科西莫二世·德·美第奇第四任托斯卡纳大公
天文信息
结语：《星际信使》被接受的过程

FAQ

Is this book a science fiction novel written by Galileo?

Not at all. It is a serious scientific observation report recording Galileo's pioneering astronomical discoveries made with an early telescope, and it is one of the founding documents of modern observational astronomy.

Can I understand it without a background in astronomy?

The core of the book is observational description, and the language is relatively straightforward. With the help of the translator's notes to understand the academic context of the time, general readers can grasp its revolutionary significance. However, a deep understanding of its full scientific and historical implications requires some background knowledge.

What is special about this edition?

The Shanghai People's Publishing House edition typically emphasizes scholarship and includes a detailed introduction, annotations, and related historical documents, helping readers understand The Starry Messenger within the broader picture of the scientific revolution.

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About the author

伽利略 Author

Galileo is one of the most influential thinkers in the history of science, and his works are often classified under popular science in the Chinese book market. The library currently holds four of his works: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences, Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences (Student Edition), and The Starry Messenger. These writings are mostly composed in dialogue form, addressing mechanics, kinematics, and astronomy, and presenting arguments through debate among characters, combining intellectual rigor with readability. Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems discusses the merits of geocentrism and heliocentrism, while The Starry Messenger recounts astronomical observations made with a telescope. Publicly available information on the details of his life is limited, so they are not elaborated here; readers may come to know his scientific method and style of expression through the above works.

范海登 Author

Fan Haideng is an author about whom limited public information is available. Only one work by this author is currently included in the database, namely The Interstellar Messenger. Judging from the existing information, the book is classified as popular science, suggesting that the author's writing focuses on introducing scientific knowledge in an accessible way and on presenting themes related to interstellar space, the universe, or astronomy to general readers. Because the author's nationality, dates of birth and death, English name, and educational background are not recorded, a full picture of the author's personal experience and literary output is difficult to outline, and the present introduction can only center on this single work. As for The Interstellar Messenger, the title itself carries a sense of exploration and transmission, readily evoking human curiosity and inquiry about the universe, and it also suggests that the work may combine informative content with readability. Overall, Fan Haideng currently appears as an author engaged in popular science writing, whose significance remains to be confirmed by further materials and works.