The Geometry of Light: Galileo's Telescope, Kepler's Optics

• Publisher:   Gerald Rottman
• Number Of Pages:   118
• Publication Date:   2008-12-30
• ISBN-10 / ASIN:   0981941605
• ISBN-13 / EAN:   9780981941608

The Geometry of Light provides readers access to pioneering ideas about light, vision, and the telescope as they appear in Johannes Kepler's book Dioptrice. Kepler's book beautifully illustrates the power of elementary geometry to explain the physical world. But Kepler wrote for fellow mathematicians, not a general audience. The Geometry of Light makes Kepler's ideas accessible to anyone who has studied high school geometry.

Johannes Kepler was a giant of seventeenth-century science. A contemporary of Galileo, Kepler is principally known as a founder of modern astronomy. His work in theoretical astronomy complemented Galileo's observations in promoting the heliocentric model of the solar system.

In 1609, Galileo heard reports of an invention that made distant objects appear close. Galileo proceeded to construct his own telescope, and discovered that four moons rotated around Jupiter. This was a direct refutation of the prevailing belief that all heavenly bodies rotated around Earth.

Inspired by Galileo's use of the telescope, Kepler developed a theory of lenses that served as a basis for rational telescope design. He published this work in a short book titled Dioptrice. Kepler perceived that the telescope produced its effect by means of the refraction of light. In Dioptrice, Kepler explains how the refraction of light results in the magnification of distant objects.

Kepler's geometric approach conveys an intuitive grasp of optics that is hard to obtain using modern methods. In addition, Kepler's theory of lenses has a special charm because it achieves so much with so little. It is truly a breathtaking experience to follow Kepler as he deftly lays the foundations of modern optics using only a few simple principles.

I finished reading the book. Very nice job. It would be a bit difficult for the average high school physics student, but would be perfect for the student doing a science project involving optics. I think it would also be appropriate for the college student doing an optics project. Given the amount of time usually given to optics, even in basic college physics, it would probably be more than needed. But it certainly should be a great resource for anyone needing to learn the geometry of light rays and lenses. I teach advanced placement and honors high school physics and I can see this book as useful for our more advanced students.

Dr. Gerald Rottman's "The Geometry of Light" is a welcome slice of physics, optics, and history. What sets this book apart from the rest, is the easy-to-follow explanations and illustrations, that make this book a welcome look back at the history and mathematics of optics. One can trace the evolution of optics as the author explains in clear language the development of eyepieces, telescopes, etc. What is rather remarkable for the pioneers Johannes Kepler, Galileo, and the others; was that these seventeenth-century scientists were doing advanced real hands-on experimenters, and were able to fabricate devices to do really sophisticated science. We take it for granted that our current technology can reliably produce lens today, to a very high level of quality. As I read this book, I better appreciated that the early pioneers were able to successfully manufacture cutting edge / high quality optical devices, and explain what they did, and how the mathematics could be expressed; all with a nice touch of elegance. As a recently retired Chief Engineer at NASA Headquarters, for the Office of Space Flight / Space Operations (which provides oversight to programs like the Space Shuttle and International Space Station), I have a first hand appreciation for what this publication conveys. Dr. Rottman's book makes it easy for both the layman and the engineer to better appreciate this rather sophisticated field of science! Stan Fishkind

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