Flash!: The Hunt for the Biggest Explosions in the Universe - Hardcover

Schilling, Govert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521800536 ISBN 13: 9780521800532

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002

Synopsis

The origin and nature of gamma-ray bursts is currently one of the greatest mysteries in astrophysics. These tremendously powerful blasts produce more energy in a fraction of a second than our Sun does in ten billion years. Since their accidental discovery by American spy satellites over thirty years ago, astronomers have striven to understand these enigmatic explosions. It is only recently, thanks to an Italian-Dutch satellite, and powerful telescopes both on the ground and in space, that the mystery is beginning to be unravelled. Astronomers now realise that gamma-ray bursts are probably related to the birth of black holes in extremely distant galaxies. Flash! describes the fast moving field of gamma ray burst research, from the initial detection right up to the most recent discoveries. Based on interviews with leading scientists, this exciting book provides an inside view of the scientific challenges involved in unravelling the mystery of gamma-ray bursts.

About this title

Review

'... one of the best generally accessible overviews of gamma ray astronomy ... strongly recommended.' Richard Taylor, Spaceflight

'Schilling, a professional science writer, skillfully leads the reader through the work of scientists in the filed ... the book is an excellent account ... an enlightening and stimulating read.' Luigi Piro, Nature

'... a fascinating account of the day-to-day process of modern astronomy, giving a believable picture of how astronomers work. It focuses on the people involved and uses their own accounts of the process and how they experienced these events. This is a book that could usefully be given to any young person wondering why people go into science and what might await them there.' Sue Bowler, Astronomy and Geophysics

'If you want to know how the messy business of making an astronomical discovery actually works, read this book.' Andrew King, The Observatory

'I recommend Schilling's book for the interested non-scientist. ... The reader is taken on a literary roller-coaster ride, in which discoverery and breakthrough alternate with struggle and setback, and in which one learns a lot about science and scientists along the way.' Physics World

'The strength of this book arises from the way Schilling conveys the cut and thrust of professional astronomy. Because he tells us about the personalities involved we can share their frustration, despair and elation. Alan Longstaff, Astronomy Now

'Visual and highly accessible, Schilling's book is a masterpiece of lay scientific reporting. He is the author of more than 2 previous books and hundreds of articles on astronomical subjects (it shows; the prologue alone is almost worth the price of the book.' Robert Eisenstein, CERN Courier

'... there are few popular books devoted to GRB science ... I will be surprised if a better one appears for a while.' Nial Tanvir, JBAA

'... a very enjoyable book ...' Southern Observer

'As in any good human drama, you will find ambition, triumph, disappointment and just a little treachery. If you like your science writing to remind you that astronomers are people too, read Flash!' Astronomy Now

Book Description

Gamma ray bursts are the biggest explosions since the Big Bang. Unknown until their accidental discovery by military satellites, astronomers all over the world are now searching for these mysterious explosions. Flash! describes this fast moving field of research, from the initial detection right up to the most recent discoveries.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0521800536
• ISBN 13: 9780521800532
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 304