{"product_id":"the-crystal-that-conquered-the-atlantic-unlocking-the-secrets-of-viking-navigation-9798254223290","title":"The Crystal that Conquered the Atlantic: Unlocking the Secrets of Viking Navigation","description":"\u003cp\u003e • Author(s): Edward Arthur\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher: Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher Imprint: Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e • BISAC: Europe - Nordic Countries\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor centuries, a mystery has haunted the history of maritime exploration: How did the Vikings navigate the treacherous, fog-bound North Atlantic without a magnetic compass? While legends spoke of a \"sunstone\" that could locate the sun through thick clouds and snow, many dismissed these accounts as mere mythology.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Viking Sunstone\u003c\/i\u003e, Edward Arthur bridges the gap between ancient sagas and cutting-edge science. This investigative journey dives into the \"magnetic vacuum\" of the Viking Age, exploring how Norse seafarers used high-latitude physics to reach the shores of North America a thousand years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInside this book, you will discover: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Power of Polarization: \u003c\/b\u003e How atmospheric physics and Rayleigh scattering allow a simple crystal to reveal the invisible architecture of the sky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Iceland Spar Mystery: \u003c\/b\u003e A deep dive into the unique optical properties of calcite and why it served as the ultimate natural navigational tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eArchaeological \"Smoking Guns\" \u003c\/b\u003e An analysis of the Elizabethan-era Alderney shipwreck find and what it reveals about the long-term use of optical navigation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSagas vs. Science: \u003c\/b\u003e A meticulous look at the \u003ci\u003eRau��lfs  �ttr\u003c\/i\u003e and other historical texts that provided the technical clues for modern researchers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis work challenges the boundary between primitive and sophisticated technology, showing that the Norse were not just brave explorers, but empirical scientists of the highest order.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Independently Published","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47775370018967,"sku":"9798254223290","price":863.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0666\/3471\/1191\/files\/9798254223290.webp?v=1777989936","url":"https:\/\/atlanticbooks.com\/products\/the-crystal-that-conquered-the-atlantic-unlocking-the-secrets-of-viking-navigation-9798254223290","provider":"Atlantic Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}