Hubble: Imaging Space and Time - Hardcover

DeVorkin, David H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1426203225 ISBN 13: 9781426203220

Publisher: National Geographic, 2008

Synopsis

In the spirit of National Geographic’s top-selling Orbit, this large-format, full-colour volume stands alone in revealing more than 200 of the most spectacular images from the Hubble Space Telescope during its lifetime, to the very eve of the 2008 final shuttle mission to the telescope. Written by two of the world’s foremost authorities on space history, Hubble: Imaging Space and Time, illuminates the solar system’s workings; the expansion of the universe; the birth and death of stars; the formation of planetary nebulae; the dynamics of galaxies. and the mysterious force known as “dark energy.” The authors reveal the inside story of Hubble’s beginnings, its controversial early days, the drama of its first servicing missions, and the creation of the dynamic images that reach into the deepest regions of visible space, close to the time when the universe began.

About this title

Synopsis

World authorities on the history of astronomy - David Devorkin and Robert Smith - reveal Hubble as an unparalleled engineering accomplishment that documents the solar system's workings and growth, the accelerated expansion of the universe, and even humankind's potential demise by the same kind of comet that decimated the dinosaurs millions of years ago. Inside stories reveal how the last mission to service Hubble - in October 2008 - is critical and high profile (its cancellation in 2004 cost NASA's Chief Administrator his job); how lead astronaut John Grunsfeld decided to make this dangerous mission because it is so vital to the future of Earth; how the final images from Hubble over the next few years will set the stage for the 2013 launch of the new infrared telescope, the James Webb; and, finally what will be the fate of the most famous telescope of all time.

About the Author

David Devorkin is curator for history and astronomy and the space sciences at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In his more than 30-year career, he has written over 90 articles and seven books. He lives in Maryland. Robert Smith is professor of history and past chair of the Department of History and Classics at the University of Alberta, and formerly a staff member at the National Air and Space Museum. His books include the award-winning The Space Telescope: A Study of NASA, Science, Technology and Politics. He has closely followed Hubble's history for 20 years.

Edition details

• Publisher: National Geographic
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1426203225
• ISBN 13: 9781426203220
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 224