A01=William Sheehan
Author_William Sheehan
Category=JBCC1
Category=PG
Category=WNX
chromosphere
corona
eq_bestseller
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_new_release
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_science
eq_society-politics
General relativity
lunar eclipses
Moon
phenomena of nature
spectroscopy
Sun
Vulcan
Product details
- ISBN 9781836391692
- Dimensions: 171 x 220mm
- Publication Date: 01 Feb 2026
- Publisher: Reaktion Books
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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For millennia, solar eclipses have stirred awe and fear. Once seen as omens, they are now celebrated as rare spectacles that unite science and wonder. This accessible, richly illustrated book explores their cultural, emotional and scientific significance, from ancient myths to modern eclipse-chasing expeditions. It traces how eclipses helped unlock secrets of the Sun, and why witnessing one inspires powerful reactions and lifelong fascination. The book also offers practical guidance for planning and observing upcoming eclipses, making it an essential companion for curious observers and seasoned eclipse-hunters alike. Combining historical depth, scientific insight and personal experience, this is the definitive guide to one of nature’s most dramatic and moving celestial events.
William Sheehan is a noted historian of astronomy and a writer. His books include Mercury (2018), Saturn (2019), Venus (2022) and The Solar System (2025) in Reaktion’s Kosmos series. He lives in Arizona, and asteroid 16037 is named Sheehan in his honour.
