{"product_id":"the-nocturnal-star-clock-edward-arthur-9798250670630","title":"The Nocturnal Star Clock: Forgotten Medieval Device That Told Time by Polaris Alone After Sunset","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Nocturnal Star Clock: Forgotten Medieval Device That Told Time by Polaris Alone After Sunset\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e explores the rich history, intricate mechanics, and profound cultural impact of one of science's most fascinating yet overlooked instruments. For over a millennium, this \"celestial clock\" served as the primary tool for telling time at night, guiding the lives of monks, the voyages of legendary explorers like Captain Cook, and the work of Renaissance scholars.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey themes covered in the book include: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Science of the Stars\u003c\/b\u003e: An explanation of how the device uses the rotation of circumpolar constellations like Ursa Major and Ursa Minor around Polaris to measure time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Evolution\u003c\/b\u003e: The journey from the 9th-century \u003ci\u003ehorologium nocturnum\u003c\/i\u003e of Pacificus of Verona to the 16th-century \"democratization of time\" sparked by Peter Apian's printed \"paper computers\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePractical Utility \u0026amp; Culture\u003c\/b\u003e: How the nocturnal regulated monastic life through the \"Liturgy of the Hours,\" aided maritime navigation, and appeared as a symbol of reason and status in Renaissance art and literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eModern Legacy\u003c\/b\u003e: A technical guide for building a functional replica today and a reflection on the device's role as a precursor to modern precision engineering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe book serves as a bridge between the digital present and the analog past, inviting readers to reclaim the \"silent sky\" and understand our place within the eternal rhythm of the heavens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Edward Arthur\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798250670630\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/04\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 240\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.72lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.51d","brand":"Edward Arthur","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48588448104703,"sku":"9798250670630","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_3b573fa5-8bee-49f5-a027-a785753ef5e6.jpg?v=1780174897","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-nocturnal-star-clock-edward-arthur-9798250670630","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}