In Search of the True Universe(Winner of the 2013 Association of American Publishers PROSE Award in Cosmology and Astronomy)

基本信息

Format:Hardback 408 pages, 4 Tables, unspecified; 61 Halftones, unspecified

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Imprint:Cambridge University Press

ISBN:9781107044067

Published:18 Nov 2013

Weight:1010g

Dimensions:259 x 191 x 24 (mm)

页面参数仅供参考，具体以实物为准

书籍简介

天体物理学家和学者Martin Harwit研究了我们对宇宙的理解在20世纪是如何迅速发展的，并确定了促成这一进步的因素。天文学的工具主要是从物理学和工程学引进的，它受益于美国将基础研究与国家实际优先事项相结合的政策。这一战略最初是为军事和工业目的而发展的，它为天文学提供了强大的工具，可以几乎不花钱地进行无线电、红外线、x射线和伽马射线的观测。如今，天文学家们正在研究暗物质和暗能量的新前沿，它们对理解宇宙至关重要，但却具有不确定的社会经济前景。Harwit针对相互竞争的国家优先事项处理了当前的这些挑战，并提出了寻找真正宇宙的其他新方法。对于天体物理学家、政策制定者、历史学家和科学社会学家来说，这是一本引人入胜的读物，他们希望从过去的经验中吸取教训，从而获得更深入的宇宙学见解。

Astrophysicist and scholar Martin Harwit examines how our understanding of the Cosmos advanced rapidly during the twentieth century and identifies the factors contributing to this progress. Astronomy, whose tools were largely imported from physics and engineering, benefited mid-century from the U.S. policy of coupling basic research with practical national priorities. This strategy, initially developed for military and industrial purposes, provided astronomy with powerful tools yielding access – at virtually no cost – to radio, infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray observations. Today, astronomers are investigating the new frontiers of dark matter and dark energy, critical to understanding the Cosmos but of indeterminate socio-economic promise. Harwit addresses these current challenges in view of competing national priorities and proposes alternative new approaches in search of the true Universe. This is an engaging read for astrophysicists, policy makers, historians, and sociologists of science looking to learn and apply lessons from the past in gaining deeper cosmological insight.

目录

1. The nineteenth century's last five years

Part I. The Import of Theoretical Tools:

2. An overview

3. Conclusions based on principles

4. Conclusions based on a premise

5. Conclusions based on calculations

6. Asking the right questions, accepting limited answers

Part II. A National Plan Shaping the Universe We Perceive:

7. A new order and the new universe it produced

8. Where did the chemical elements arise?

9. Landscapes

10. The evolution of astrophysical theory after 1960

11. Turmoils of leadership

12. Cascades and shocks that shape astrophysics

13. Astrophysical discourse and persuasion

Part III. The Cost of Discerning the True Universe:

14. Organization and functioning of the astronomical community

15. Language and astrophysical stability

16. An economically viable astronomical program

Epilogue.

作者简介

Martin Harwit, Cornell University, New York

Martin Harwit is Professor Emeritus of Astronomy at Cornell University. For many years he also served as Director of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. For much of his astrophysical career he built instruments and made pioneering observations in infrared astronomy. His advanced textbook, Astrophysical Concepts, has taught several generations of astronomers through its four editions. Harwit has had an abiding interest in how science advances or is constrained by factors beyond the control of scientists. His book Cosmic Discovery first raised these questions. The present volume explores how philosophical outlook, historical precedents, industrial progress, economic factors, and national priorities have affected our understanding of the cosmos. Harwit is a recipient of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific's highest honor, the Bruce Medal, which commends 'his original ideas, scholarship, and thoughtful advocacy'.