Julius Schmidt was one of the finest astronomical observers of his time, and his detailed map of the Moon surpassed anything that had come before. Today, the German astronomer and geophysicist has remained a largely neglected figure, despite being one of the most important players in the history of lunar studies.

This book at last makes accessible Schmidt’s highly regarded German work, Der Mond. Considered an astronomical classic of the nineteenth century, Der Mond remained without a proper English counterpart for the last century and a half, until now. The author’s faithful English translation provides readers with much-needed access into Schmidt’s original publication, with the aim of showing the community just how vital his work and legacy have been in the international field of selenography.