Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds
by Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle
About this book
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)
Chapters (13)
1To Monsieur R.
2That the Earth is a Planet which Turns on Itself and Round the Sun Part 1
3That the Earth is a Planet which Turns on Itself and Round the Sun Part 2
4That the Moon is an Inhabited World Part 1
5That the Moon is an Inhabited World Part 2
6Some Particulars Concerning the World in the Moon, and Proofs of the other Planets being likewise Inhabited Part 1
7Some Particulars Concerning the World in the Moon, and Proofs of the other Planets being likewise Inhabited Part 2
8Some Particulars concerning the Worlds of Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn Part 1
9Some Particulars concerning the Worlds of Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn Part 2
10That the fix'd Stars are so many Suns, every one of which gives Light to a World Part 1
11That the fix'd Stars are so many Suns, every one of which gives Light to a World Part 2
12Some New Observations that confirm what has been laid down in the preceeding Discourses and several late Discoveries which have been made in the Heavens Part 1
13Some New Observations that confirm what has been laid down in the preceeding Discourses and several late Discoveries which have been made in the Heavens Part 2
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