Subject
Astronomy -- Miscellanea Books
Best books
Charles Fort
The Book of the Damned
"The Book of the Damned" by Charles Fort is a nonfiction work published in 1919. Fort catalogs anomalous phenomena that mainstream science has excluded or "damned"—including UFO sightings, mysterious falls of fish and frogs from the sky, evidence of giants and fairies, poltergeist activity, and unexplained disappearances. Charging scientists with conformity and closed-mindedness, Fort presents these strange occurrences without firm explanations, inviting readers to question accepted scientific authority and draw their own conclusions about reality's unexplained mysteries.
J. Ellard (John Ellard) Gore
Astronomical Curiosities: Facts and Fallacies
"Astronomical Curiosities: Facts and Fallacies" by J. Ellard Gore is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The work is a collection of interesting astronomical facts and theories, filled with both empirical observations and historical anecdotes that aim to intrigue the general reader fascinated by the cosmos. The book discusses a variety of astronomical phenomena, with particular focus on the sun, planets, and other celestial bodies, uncovering truths and debunking myths surrounding them. At the start of the work, the author offers insights into solar observations and the measurements of sunlight versus moonlight, emphasizing the significant difference in their brightness. He presents various findings from notable astronomers, detailing experiments measuring sunlight’s intensity and the peculiarities of the sun’s corona during eclipses. The opening portion serves not only to introduce the reader to the remarkable scale of solar brightness but also sets the tone for the curious and informative exploration of astronomical wonders that the author promises in the subsequent chapters.
Richard Adams Locke
The moon hoax : $b or, A discovery that the moon has a vast population of human beings
"The Moon Hoax: Or, A Discovery that the Moon has a Vast Population of Human…" is a series of newspaper articles published in 1835. Beginning on August 25, The Sun newspaper reported astonishing discoveries of life on the Moon—including winged humanoids, unicorns, and temples—falsely attributed to astronomer Sir John Herschel. The elaborate hoax described observations through a massive telescope and captivated readers for weeks. Written by reporter Richard Adams Locke, the articles were intended as satire of extravagant astronomical theories, yet fooled the public and established the paper's fame.
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