James Lick's Monument: The Saga of Captain Richard Floyd and the Building of the Lick Observatory

by Helen Wright

Overview

This is a remarkable story of the building of the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton in California. Helen Wright's informative account vividly describes the founding of the observatory by the millionaire James Lick, as well as the pioneering role that Captain Richard Floyd played in its eight-year construction. The author details the personalities, the many unique circumstances, and the extraordinary production obstacles that were involved in the building of the first high-altitude astronomical observatory, which was finally opened as part of the University of California on June 1, 1888. Based on exhaustive research, this work makes a valuable contribution to the history of astronomy. The volume is enhanced by a fascinating collection of original photographs from the period that are of great historical interest. James Lick's Monument will appeal to a wide audience, including professional and amateur astronomers, historians of science, and all other readers interested in astronomy and its history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521534550
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/13/2003
Series:	Saga of Captain Richard Floyd and the Building of the Lick O
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.55(d)

Table of Contents

List of illustrations; Preface; Acknowledgments; Prologue; 1. The story of James Lick; 2. Captain Floyd and the Lick Trust; 3. European journey; 4. Transition to the skies over Mount Hamilton; 5. 'Dear Captain'; 6. Ladder to the sky; 7. Success and conflict; 8. Engineering feat on Mount Hamilton; 9. James Lick's last journey; 10. Final stages; 11. To the stars; Epilogue; Notes; Index.