Somnium: The Dream, or Posthumous Work on Lunar Astronomy

Finally, a coherent, easily read, yet faithful translation of Johannes Kepler's 'Somnium' (The Dream).Posthumoulsy published in 1634, Kepler's 'Somnium' represents the earliest example of the science fiction genre. In it Kepler tells the story of an Icelandic boy, Duracotus, his witch mother, Fiolxhilda, and their interaction with the Daemon of Levania, a mysterious being capable of travel to the moon. While a work of fiction, Kepler uses the Daemon to accurately describe lunar astronomy, geography, and also to speculate on the living beings that might reside there.Great ideas arise and grow in the minds of those like Kepler. The Dream let's you inside that mind as Kepler strives to communicate his scientific knowledge of the moon in a manner acceptable to the Arisotlians and religous fervents who dominated society at the time.