"The Haunted Observatory: Curiosities from the Astronomer's Cabinet" by Richard Baum is a fascinating blend of history, science, and the strange tales that orbit the world of astronomy. Baum, an astronomer and historian, dives deep into the archives of astronomical lore, recounting curious events, forgotten theories, unusual observations, and eccentric characters who have contributed to our understanding (and misunderstanding) of the cosmos.

The book is not a conventional astronomy textbook; rather, it's a cabinet of curiosities, offering essays that touch on the mystical, mistaken, and mysterious aspects of astronomy's past—ranging from Martian canals to spectral observations and astronomical hoaxes.

📘 Synopsis

In The Haunted Observatory, Richard Baum explores the "shadowland" of astronomy—a realm where rigorous science meets speculation, folklore, and the limits of human perception. Each chapter presents a unique historical vignette involving misunderstood astronomical phenomena, once-credible theories now debunked, or passionate individuals whose ideas either pushed science forward or led it astray.

Baum encourages readers to appreciate not just the triumphs of science, but its dead-ends and oddities. He reminds us that scientific progress often wanders through the strange and improbable before arriving at the truth.

Themes include:

• Illusory planetary features

• Optical illusions and hallucinations

• Outdated cosmologies

• Astronomical myths and hoaxes

• Forgotten observations that defied explanation

📚 Complete Chapter List

• Preface (page 9)

• A World Rumored Beyond (p. 35)

• The Prescience of William Lassell (p. 67)

• An Unresolved Mystery (p. 93)

• Is There a Satellite to the Moon? (p. 103)

• The Himalayas of Venus (p. 129)

• Venus Like a Comet (p. 195)

• Bright Objects Near the Sun (p. 205)

• Enigmatic Objects (p. 237)

• Lichtflocken (p. —) (German for “light flakes”)

• The Wartmann Mystery (p. 267)

• The Coleridge Effect

• Epilogue (p. 299)

• Glossary (starting p. 395)

📎 Additional Notes

• The book is suitable for readers with an interest in history of science, astronomy, and epistemology.

• Baum’s tone is often reflective, philosophical, and filled with anecdotal charm.

• The chapters are mostly self-contained, making it ideal for browsing or selective reading.