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More than 2,000 years ago, Eratosthenes, in Alexandria, used a stick, a hole in the ground, sunllght at summer solstice, and elementary geometry to measure the circumference of the Earth with surprising accuracy, long before anyone was able to circumnavigate it. Today, scientists are attempting to measure the entire universe and to determine its origin. Although the methods have changed, the quest to chart the horizons of space and time continues to be one of the great adventures of science.Measuring the Universe is an eloquent chronicle of the men and women- from Aristarchus to Cassini, Sir Isaac Newton to Henrietta Leavitt and Stephen Hawking-who have gradually unlocked the mysteries of how far and in so doing have changed our ideas about the size and nature of the universe and our place in it. Kitty Ferguson reveals their methods to have been as inventive as their results were-and are-eye-opening. Advances such as Copernicus's revolutionary insights about the arrangement of the solar system, William Herschel's meticulous creation of the first three-dimensional map of the universe, and Edwin Hubble's astonishing discovery that the universe is expanding have by turns revolutionized our concept of the universe. Connecting centuries of breakthroughs with the political and cultural events surrounding them, Ferguson makes astronomy part of the sweep of history.To measure the seemingly immeasurable, scientists have always pushed the boundaries of the imagination-today, for example, facing the paradox of an ever-expanding universe that doesn't appear to expand into anything. In Kitty Fergeson's skillfill hands, the unimaginable becomes accessible and the splendid quest something we all can share.… (plus d'informations)
Measuring the Universe is a good companion to another favorite of mine, Calendar which also documents the struggle of people to tame the natural world, and maybe understand it a little. It also fits into a kind of genre I have come to enjoy, that of science and the history of science for general readers. I only did so-so in school science classes, and soon leaned toward humanities, yet both have amazing human stories to tell. This book is especially one focused on personalities that formed our now slightly more organized worldview, and how their ideas came to be.
It starts with the ancients (who often came close with very rough tools) and all the way to the still rather crowded world of 20th century science (the book was published in 1999). The author actually discusses how many of the fresher stories will fade in time, since a period like the 16th century was probably just as crowded to those living in it.
Very readable writing style and copious use of well-chosen quotes to begin chapters. There are also useful reading tools such as an index, bibliography and sources used. I am not sure if I completely understand red-shifting or size of the universe (and associated controversy), but I am a lot closer now. ( )
Informations provenant du Partage des connaissances anglais.Modifiez pour passer à votre langue.
To my brother, David, who, as a child, made himself ill worrying about the size of the universe.
Premiers mots
Informations provenant du Partage des connaissances anglais.Modifiez pour passer à votre langue.
There is no task so simple, yet so profound in its consequences, as the act of taking a measurement.
Citations
Derniers mots
Informations provenant du Partage des connaissances anglais.Modifiez pour passer à votre langue.
For it is still a great mystery how large our island is--this treasured, hard-won, incalculably valuable, perhaps tiny island of human knowledge--compared with the sea.
More than 2,000 years ago, Eratosthenes, in Alexandria, used a stick, a hole in the ground, sunllght at summer solstice, and elementary geometry to measure the circumference of the Earth with surprising accuracy, long before anyone was able to circumnavigate it. Today, scientists are attempting to measure the entire universe and to determine its origin. Although the methods have changed, the quest to chart the horizons of space and time continues to be one of the great adventures of science.Measuring the Universe is an eloquent chronicle of the men and women- from Aristarchus to Cassini, Sir Isaac Newton to Henrietta Leavitt and Stephen Hawking-who have gradually unlocked the mysteries of how far and in so doing have changed our ideas about the size and nature of the universe and our place in it. Kitty Ferguson reveals their methods to have been as inventive as their results were-and are-eye-opening. Advances such as Copernicus's revolutionary insights about the arrangement of the solar system, William Herschel's meticulous creation of the first three-dimensional map of the universe, and Edwin Hubble's astonishing discovery that the universe is expanding have by turns revolutionized our concept of the universe. Connecting centuries of breakthroughs with the political and cultural events surrounding them, Ferguson makes astronomy part of the sweep of history.To measure the seemingly immeasurable, scientists have always pushed the boundaries of the imagination-today, for example, facing the paradox of an ever-expanding universe that doesn't appear to expand into anything. In Kitty Fergeson's skillfill hands, the unimaginable becomes accessible and the splendid quest something we all can share.
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(3.82)
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It starts with the ancients (who often came close with very rough tools) and all the way to the still rather crowded world of 20th century science (the book was published in 1999). The author actually discusses how many of the fresher stories will fade in time, since a period like the 16th century was probably just as crowded to those living in it.
Very readable writing style and copious use of well-chosen quotes to begin chapters. There are also useful reading tools such as an index, bibliography and sources used. I am not sure if I completely understand red-shifting or size of the universe (and associated controversy), but I am a lot closer now. (