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  3. Night Vision
  • Cited by 13
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
March 2013
Print publication year:
2013
Online ISBN:
9781139176019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139176019
Subjects:
Observational Astronomy, Techniques and Instrumentation, Physics and Astronomy, History, Philosophy and Foundations of Physics
Information

Book description

Drawing on exciting discoveries of the last forty years, Night Vision explores how infrared astronomy, an essential tool for modern astrophysics and cosmology, helps astronomers reveal our Universe's most fascinating phenomena – from the birth of stars in dense clouds of gas to black holes and distant colliding galaxies and the traffic of interstellar dust from the formation of our Solar System. While surveying the progress in infrared observation, astronomer Michael Rowan-Robinson introduces readers to the pioneering scientists and engineers who painstakingly developed infrared astronomy over the past two hundred years. Accessible and well illustrated, this comprehensive volume is written for the interested science reader, amateur astronomer or university student, while researchers in astronomy and the history of science will find Rowan-Robinson's detailed notes and references a valuable resource.

Awards

A Choice Outstanding Academic Title, 2013

Reviews

'Night Vision is a fascinating and authoritative account of the dramatically different Universe revealed when we observe the sky at infrared and submillimeter wavelengths. In a very readable style, often conversational and punctuated with anecdotes, Rowan-Robinson traces the history of the subject, from its discovery right up to the present day and future plans. The book is enlivened with many well-chosen graphics and images of pioneering scientists. Extensive quotations from the scientific literature, as well as personal accounts of some major events in which the author has participated, give insight into the agonies and ecstasies of exploration at the boundaries of human knowledge. This volume will be valuable to a wide range of audiences ranging from the casual reader interested in science to students, research scientists and historians of science.'

Michael G. Hauser - Astronomer Emeritus, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore

'An excellent introduction to infrared astronomy.'

Source: BBC Sky at Night

'Astronomer Rowan-Robinson is intimately acquainted with astronomical investigations done in the infrared (beyond visible) region of the spectrum, having made several important discoveries himself. Here, he reviews the history of infrared from its discovery by William Herschel in 1800, to the detection of infrared absorption by the Earth's atmosphere in the solar spectrum by John Herschel in 1840, and the detection of infrared radiation from the moon by Piazzi Smyth in 1856.'

M. K. Hemenway Source: Choice

'Nicely illustrated and presented.'

Source: Astronomy Now

'The language is accurate and efficient without being excessively technical. … [the book] provides an approachable single source for anyone wishing to understand the major discoveries of infrared astronomy over the past few decades, and sets out the scientific rationale behind the next decade's major ground- and space-based observatories.'

Alistair Glasse Source: The Observatory

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