Astronomy from Space; Sputnik to Space Telescope
Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 1985. First Paperback Printing [stated]. Trade paperback. viii, [2], 248, [6] pages. Illustrations. Contributors. Index. Cover has some wear, soiling, and creasing. The editors were associated with the Harvard College Observatory (HCO) and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is known as the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The combination of Harvard University astronomers and Smithsonian Institution astronomers explore the cosmos together. Since the Space Age began a quarter-century ago, astronomers have been able to reach out and often touch celestial bodies that formerly could only be dimly viewed from afar. Probes have flown by or landed on many of the planets. Astronauts have made direct observations from Earth orbit and on the Moon. Most important, a host of satellites in Earth orbit have recorded the emissions of X-ray, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation from distant sources normally invisible beneath the atmosphere. And when the Space Telescope goes aloft, man's vision of the cosmos will be extended further still. The essays in this book describe the results of twenty-five years of space observation, summarize what has been learned so far, and speculate on the possibilities that are now within grasp. Leo Goldberg provides a point of departure by describing what astronomy was like when it was limited by only Earthbound telescopes. Goldberg hopes astronomers had for discovery in the anticipated Age of Space. The chapters reveal what has been discovered about the features of the inner planets (James W. Head, III), the Moon (John A. Wood), the planets as seen during the close encounters of the Voyagers (Bradford A. Smith), and the Sun (Randolph H. Levine). The next chapters document ventures into deep space and describe a universe revealed by ultraviolet sources (Andrea K. Dupree) and X-ray sources within the Milky Way (Jonathan E. Grindlay) and beyond (Paul Gorenstein). George B. Field, who chaired the National Academy of Science committee charged with developing priorities for U.S. astronomical research in the 1980s, discusses the future of space astronomy. An epilogue by Ursula B. Marvin describes a planet body that until recently had never been seen from the vantage point of space: the Earth itself. Condition: Good.
Keywords: Astronomy, Geology, Moon, Voyager Spacecraft, Ultraviolet, X-Rays, Milky Way, Outer Space, George Field, Ursula Martin, Lou Goldberg, James Head, John Wood, Bradford Smith, Randolph Levine, Andrea Dupree, Jonathan Grindlay
ISBN: 0262530619
[Book #74975]
Price: $25.00