The volume, whose title is a tribute to the figure and work of Alexander von Humboldt, is dedicated to scientific expeditions and in particular to the voyage of the frigate Novara – sailing ship of the Imperial Austrian Navy – conducted between 1857 and 1859, under the auspices of Maximilian of Austria, with the aim of circumnavigating the globe. In an era of discoveries and measurements, the expedition marks an important step in the history of knowledge of the sea, of nature and cultures.

The journey, understood as a metaphor of the eternal human yearning to go beyond one’s horizons of study and knowledge, is the cornerstone around which the contents of the book revolve, through essays, images and fact sheets dedicated to the naval expedition and its scientific results.

The common thread of the collection and reprocessing of data regarding the cosmos marks the journey of science up to the present day, and looks over the contemporary investigation of the infinite small and the cosmic vertigo of galaxies and unknown worlds.

Languages: English and Italian.

Edition: 2024