Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds

Bernard Le Bovier De Fontenelle

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(4.3 stars; 6 reviews)

This book is a popular science book written in the late 1600s. It is written as a series of conversations between a gallant philosopher and a countess, while walking in her garden and gazing at the stars. The philosopher explains the heliocentric (sun as the centre) model of the solar system and also muses on the possibility of extraterrestrial life. While it explains the heliocentric model, unlike other astronomy works of the time, it did not attract the attention of the Church. (Summary by TriciaG, modified from Wikipedia) (3 hr 43 min)

Chapters

Preface	9:19	Read by michelekilpatrick
To Monsieur R.	2:21	Read by michelekilpatrick
That the Earth is a Planet which Turns on Itself and Round the Sun Part 1	15:49	Read by michelekilpatrick
That the Earth is a Planet which Turns on Itself and Round the Sun Part 2	18:53	Read by michelekilpatrick
That the Moon is an Inhabited World Part 1	14:42	Read by michelekilpatrick
That the Moon is an Inhabited World Part 2	20:59	Read by michelekilpatrick
Some Particulars Concerning the World in the Moon, and Proofs of the other Plan…	17:27	Read by michelekilpatrick
Some Particulars Concerning the World in the Moon, and Proofs of the other Plan…	13:05	Read by michelekilpatrick
Some Particulars concerning the Worlds of Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Sat…	28:57	Read by Lucretia B.
Some Particulars concerning the Worlds of Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Sat…	14:14	Read by michelekilpatrick
That the fix'd Stars are so many Suns, every one of which gives Light to a Worl…	18:21	Read by michelekilpatrick
That the fix'd Stars are so many Suns, every one of which gives Light to a Worl…	14:39	Read by michelekilpatrick
Some New Observations that confirm what has been laid down in the preceeding Di…	15:52	Read by Availle
Some New Observations that confirm what has been laid down in the preceeding Di…	18:27	Read by Availle

Reviews

A fun view into how the public viewed astronomy in the 1600s

(4 stars)