Items related to Measuring the Universe
This informative text tells the story of how man has attempted to measure distance in space, ranging from early experiments in working out the circumference of the earth, through estimates of distance to the nearest stars, to developments in theories as to what is beyond the observable universe.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
Following in the footsteps of Longitude comes Measuring the Universe by Kitty Ferguson. A small, handsome book, it tells the story of the building of the cosmic distance ladder. Starting in the third century B.C. with the first accurate(ish) scientific measurement of the Earth's circumference and ending with the current debate about the size and age of the Universe, the book covers a lot of ground.
Review:
The retelling of history (about the first two-thirds of the book) is an enjoyable read. While explaining the distances between planets and stars are measured, Ferguson includes interesting asides on the historical context and the characters who made the discoveries. In the last chapters, the direction of the book is somewhat lost and the chronology gets slightly confusing--possibly the result of attempting to cram in too much information. This resulted in the jettisoning of the character sketches that made the earlier chapters interesting--possibly because astronomers who are still alive made the discoveries.
If you know something about modern astronomy from other popular books or if you're interested in the history (pre-1950) of our ideas on the size and nature of the Universe, this book will help place the ideas in a historical context. Those unfamiliar with cosmology may find the last chapters slightly confusing. --Brian Goodwin
'Ferguson is at her best when describing complex ideas in terms that a non-specialist can both understand and enjoy.' SUNDAY TIMES
'It is one of the great stories of science and Ferguson tells it well.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
'She turns men of science into men of fascination.' EVENING STANDARD
'It is one of the great stories of science and Ferguson tells it well.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
'She turns men of science into men of fascination.' EVENING STANDARD
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherHeadline
- Publication date1999
- ISBN 10 0747221324
- ISBN 13 9780747221326
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages320
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
£ 18
Shipping:
£ 28.95
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Measuring the Universe; the Historical Quest to Quantify Space
Published by
Headline, London
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0747221324
ISBN 13: 9780747221326
New
Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hard Back. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New Unclipped. 8 Plates (illustrator). First Edition New. xiv+306 pp., 8 plates, new book in mint condition Size: Crown. Seller Inventory # 0006608
Buy New
£ 18
Convert currency