A Space Journey and the Vision of the Universe

Kircher’s complete vision of the universe is mainly contained in his work, Iter exstaticum coeleste (Ecstatic heavenly journey). The text is presented as if it were a dream, in which there is a dialog between two fictitious persons presented as interlocutors, namely, Theodidactus (taught by God), representing Kircher himself and Cosmiel, a spiritual agent or cosmic angel, who takes him on the space journey from the Earth to the stars passing through the planets, the Moon and the Sun. The book begins with two long preambles one by Schott where the general subjects of astronomical knowledge are presented, such as the order of the world parts, nature of stars, planets, comets, and other heavenly bodies, heavens composition, and the various world systems and shorter one by Kircher. Then follows the journey itself of Cosmiel and Theodidactus from the Earth still considered the center of the universe to the Moon, Venus, Mercury, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter Saturn and the Firmament with the fixed stars. At each stop of the journey the characteristics of each heavenly body are explained. All heavenly bodies are considered to be made of terrestrial elements not a special heavenly substance. The possible existence of inhabitants on the Moon and other planets is considered. It follows a theological consideration of God’s providence being brightly manifested in the work of the World. The second part considers a journey through the Earth, with the nature of oceans, lakes and rivers, mountains, and the underground conducts of water, fire, and air.