Yerkes Observatory, 1892-1950: The Birth, Near Death, and Resurrection of a Scientific Research Institution / Edition 2

by Donald E. Osterbrock

Overview

Drawing on his experience as historian of astronomy, practicing astrophysicist, and director of Lick Observatory, Donald Osterbrock uncovers a chapter in the history of astronomy by providing the story of the Yerkes Observatory.

"An excellent description of the ups and downs of a major observatory."—Jack Meadows, Nature

"Historians are much indebted to Osterbrock for this new contribution to the fascinating story of twentieth-century American astronomy."—Adriaan Blaauw, Journal for the History of Astronomy

"An important reference about one of the key American observatories of this century."—Woodruff T. Sullivan III, Physics Today

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780226639468
Publisher:	University of Chicago Press
Publication date:	05/15/1999
Edition description:	1
Pages:	394
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	1520L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

Preface
1: Birth, 1868-1897
2: Infancy, 1897-1904
3: Near Death, 1904-1932
4: The Savior, 1897-1931
5: The Boy President, 1929-1932
6: The Boy Director, 1932-1936
7: Resurrection on the Campus and at Yerkes, 1893-1937
8: Birth of McDonald Observatory, 1933-1939
9: An Extraordinarily Fine Group, 1936-1942
10: World War II, 1939-1945
11: Golden Years, 1945-1950
12: Epilogue: To the Centennial, 1950-1997
Abbreviations Used in Notes and Bibliography
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

At a time when dramatic budget cuts affect fundamental research in physics, and all the more so poor relatives such as mathematical physics, Krieger's book gives us a good opportunity to stop and look at what has been accomplished so far.
— American Scientist

Philippe R. Di Fanceso