Le Verrier—Magnificent and Detestable Astronomer

Başlık:

Yazar:

Lequeux, James. author.

ISBN:

9781461455653

Ek Yazar:

Lequeux, James. author.

Fiziksel Tanım:

XVI, 337 p. online resource.

Series:

Astrophysics and Space Science Library, 397

Contents:

The young years (1811-1845) -- Neptune’s discovery (1845-1846) -- Waiting for the Paris Observatory (1847-1843) -- Director of the Observatory (1844-1870) -- The dictator -- The fall (1870-1872) -- The second reign (1873-1877) -- Longitudes via telegraph -- The creator of European meteorology -- Le Verrier’s heritage.

Abstract:

Le Verrier was a superb scientist. His discovery of Neptune in 1846 made him the most famous astronomer of his time. He produced a complete theory of the motions of the planets which served as a basis for planetary ephemeris for a full century. Doing this, he discovered an anomaly in the motion of Mercury which later became the first proof of General Relativity. He also founded European meteorology. However his arrogance and bad temper created many enemies, and he was even fired from his position of Director of the Paris Observatory.

Konu Terimleri:

Physics.

History.

Observations, Astronomical.

Astronomy -- Observations.

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques.

History of Science.

History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics.

Added Corporate Author:

SpringerLink (Online service)

Electronic Access:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5565-3

Mevcut:*

Library	Materyal Türü	Barkod	Yer Numarası	Durum
Searching... Pamukkale Merkez Kütüphanesi	E-Kitap	71822-1001	QB4	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Özet

Translated from the original French by Bernard Sheehan; Edited and with an introduction by Dr. William Sheehan, a neuroscientist and amateur astronomer who is also a research fellow of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona

Author Notes

James Lequeux completed his PhD thesis in radioastronomy in 1962 and was an assistant, then associate, professor of physics and astronomy at Paris University until 1966. He was an Astronomer from 1966-1999 and an invited scientist at CalTech from 1968-1969. Dr. Lequeux was also the Director of the Marseilles Observatory from 1983-1988 and was Editor-in-Chief of the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics for 15 years. He retired in 1999 and then began work on the history of astronomy, a subject he presently writes about. Dr. Lequeux has published over 403 papers and four books, including The Interstellar Medium (Springer 2005).

Reviews (1)

Choice Review

French astronomer/historian Lequeux delves deeply into the life and work of Urbain Le Verrier (1811-77), from his early studies and mathematical interests through the discovery that made him famous, the prediction of the position of an unknown planet (later named Neptune). But, just as that discovery is marred by controversy (with credit also going to the young British astronomer Adams), Le Verrier's entire life seems frantic. Named director of the Paris Observatory, he set his staff on new tasks that occasioned resignations (voluntary and forced), disagreements with other government agencies, problems with funding, and stubborn clinging to mathematical astronomy (and avoiding astrophysics) until he himself lost his job for several years. The death of his successor brought him back as director, where he continued his arrogant ways until his own death. Lequeux adds two illuminating chapters on other aspects of Le Verrier's work: determination of longitudes and the birth of meteorology. Footnotes provide references and scientific explanations. William Sheehan provides a useful introduction for this authoritative book. The translation and editing are excellent. Summing Up: Highly recommended. History of astronomy collections, upper-division undergraduates and above. M.-K. Hemenway University of Texas at Austin