A History of the Sky in 300 Infographics

Trace the history of mankind's perception of the sky and outer space in 300 easy-to-follow maps and cartographics, from the dawn of humanity to the present day.

For thousands of years, humans have looked to the sky to make sense of the world. Long before astronomy became a formal discipline, observations of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars shaped calendars, navigation and systems of belief across many cultures. A History of the Sky traces this global history, examining how societies developed the concepts and methods that allowed humanity to interpret the cosmos.

As with its bestselling companion, A History of the World in 500 Maps, the book uses infographics and maps to show how people throughout history have understood the universe and to consider what the future of space exploration might hold. It follows early astronomical traditions in Babylon, China, the Maya world and Polynesia; the emergence of new ideas in classical Greece; and the scientific advances that transformed astronomy in early modern Europe and the Enlightenment era. It then considers the modern age, in which humans have ventured from Earth to the Moon and beyond, sending probes through the Solar System and signals into deep space.

Designed for keen enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike, A History of the Sky reconnects readers with the ancient fascination of looking up. It reveals how today’s science rests on centuries of observation, argument and a thirst for adventure – and addresses a central question: How do we know what we know about the universe?

About the Author

Christian Grataloup is a former professor at Université Paris-Cité and a specialist in geohistory. Pierre Léna is an astrophysicist, member of the French Academy of Sciences, and Professor Emeritus at Paris Observatory and Paris-Cité University.