Giant Telescopes: Astronomical Ambition and the Promise of Technology

Every night, astronomers use a new generation of giant telescopes at observatories around the world to study...
HK$516.29
HK$516.29
SKU: 9780674019966
Product Type: Books
Please hurry! Only 237 left in stock
Author: W. Patrick McCray
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Subtotal: $516.29
10 customers are viewing this product
Giant Telescopes: Astronomical Ambition and the Promise of Technology by McCray, W. Patrick

Giant Telescopes: Astronomical Ambition and the Promise of Technology

$516.29

Giant Telescopes: Astronomical Ambition and the Promise of Technology

$516.29
Author: W. Patrick McCray
Format: Paperback
Language: English

Every night, astronomers use a new generation of giant telescopes at observatories around the world to study phenomena at the forefront of science. By focusing on the history of the Gemini Observatory--twin 8-meter telescopes located on mountain peaks in Hawaii and Chile--Giant Telescopes tells the story behind the planning and construction of modern scientific tools, offering a detailed view of the technological and political transformation of astronomy in the postwar era.

Drawing on interviews with participants and archival documents, W. Patrick McCray describes the ambitions and machinations of prominent astronomers, engineers, funding patrons, and politicians in their effort to construct a modern facility for cutting-edge science--and to establish a model for international cooperation in the coming era of "megascience." His account details the technological, institutional, cultural, and financial challenges that scientists faced while planning and building a new generation of giant telescopes. Besides exploring how and why scientists embraced the promise and potential of new technologies, he considers how these new tools affected what it means to be an astronomer. McCray's book should interest anyone who desires a deeper understanding of the science, technology, and politics behind finding our place in the universe.

Author: W. Patrick McCray
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Published: 04/01/2006
Pages: 376
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.17lbs
Size: 9.12h x 6.44w x 0.99d
ISBN: 9780674019966

About the Author
McCray, W. Patrick: - W. Patrick McCray is a professor in the History Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Returns Policy

You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the "Complete Orders" link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.

Shipping

We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.

When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.

Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.

Related Products

Recently Viewed Products