Nicolas Copernicus, the Polish genius, gave us modern astronomy – but it nearly didn’t happen. He kept his discoveries about the movements of the planets around the sun secret for thirty years. Why? And what finally released the sensational news? Dava Sobel, famed American science writer, tells the astonishing story.
Dava Sobel is an award-winning American writer who uses science as a basis for her books and plays. She is known for Longitude, Galileo’s Daughter and The Planets. In her latest book, A More Perfect Heaven: How Copernicus Revolutionised the Cosmos. Dava Sobel outlines the problems which confronted Copernicus as he proposed his idea of the Earth revolving around the Sun. Today’s discussion was recorded at The Sydney Writer’s Festival in July 2012. It includes readings from A More Perfect Heaven.
Supporting Information:
Music used:
Justirum animae by William Byrd
Performed by The Sixteen directed by Harry Christophers
LINN records UK CKD 118
Guests:
Dava Sobel, Author, A More Perfect Heaven: How Copernicus Revolutionised the Cosmos
Publications:
Title: A More Perfect Heaven, How Copernicus Revolutionised the Cosmos
Author: Dava Sobel
Publisher: Walker Books
Further Information:
Dava Sobel’s website (http://www.davasobel.com/)
Dava Sobel’s blog (http://davasobel.com/blog/?tag=rheticus)
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/dava-sobel/4195776