The Birth of Modern Astronomy

1. Auflage 2018
ISBN: 978-3-319-99081-1
Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buch, Englisch, 565 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 1068 g

Reihe: Historical & Cultural Astronomy

This richly illustrated book discusses the ways in which astronomy expanded after 1945 from a modest discipline to a robust and modern science. Present-day astronomy utilizes all possible means — radio waves, infrared radiation, X-rays and gamma-rays, cosmic rays and now even gravitational waves — across an array of ground- and space-based telescopes and detectors to investigate how the Universe began, evolved and produced such marvels as black holes, dark matter and billions of stars.

The book begins with an introduction to the state of astronomy in 1945. The following 60-year history is divided into six different periods. In each section, the pivotal innovations and discoveries of the time are presented, using a plethora of original arguments and diagrams. The narrative proceeds along three major paths: one dealing with instruments; the second with birth, structure, groups, evolution and the death of stars; and the third leading the reader through the many surprising discoveries about galaxies and the Universe they populate.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Habing, Harm J.

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Astronomie Geschichte der Astronomie
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Wissenschafts- und Universitätsgeschichte
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Geschichte der Physik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface.- Table of Contents.- Prologue.- Part 1: 1945-1985.- Chapter 1: Developments in Instruments.- Chapter 2: Stars and Galaxies.- Chapter 3: Developing New Instruments.- Chapter 4: Stars.- Chapter 5: Galaxies.- Chapter 6: Developments in Instruments.- Chapter 7: Stars.- Chapter 8: Galaxies and the Universe.- Part 2: 1985-2010.- Chapter 9: Plans, People, Organisations and Instruments.- Chapter 10: Main-Sequence Stars and Failed Stars.- Chapter 11: Something Completely New: Exoplanets.- Chapter 12: The Formation of Stars.- Chapter 13: What is Left: Compact Objects.- Chapter 14: Transient Phenomena, Mergers and Explosions.- Chapter 15: Galaxies 1985-1995.- Chapter 16: Galaxies 1995-2005: Another Revolution.- Chapter 17: Harvest Time.- Epilogue.- Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Professor Harm J. Habing obtained his PhD in astronomy from the University of Groningen in 1968 under Dr. Sr.R. Pottasch. He did his postdoc at the University of California under Prof. G. Field before becoming a senior researcher at Leiden University in 1970. In 1980, he became a full professor at Leiden University, where he remained until his retirement in 2002. During his time at Leiden University, he acted as chairman several times, and he served as the scientific director from 1995-2002. In addition, he supervised 28 graduate students.

Professor Habing has published over 350 papers in scientific journals and has written multiple books, including “Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars” (Springer). Further, he has received the Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement from NASA and the Gilles Holst medal in gold from the Royal Dutch Academy of Science. He is also Chevalier de l’ ordre de la Légion d’honneur.