Miss Leavitt's Stars The Untold Story of the Woman Who Discovered How to Measure the Universe (Paperback)
| Author: George Johnson |
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Product Details:
Format: Paperback
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
ISBN-10: 0393328562
ISBN-13: 9780393328561
Sku: 202158747
Publish Date: 4/10/2007
Pages:
162
Age Range:
NA
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| A short, excellent account of [Leavitt s] extraordinary life and achievements. Simon Singh, "New York Times Book Review" |
Annotation:
One of the pioneers of cosmology, Henrietta Swan Leavitt, is rescued from obscurity in MISS LEAVITT'S STARS, George Johnson's riveting account of her discovery of a means of gauging distances across space. Leavitt was one of the dozens of "computers," women employed by Harvard College Observatory to perform precise yet monotonous measuring tasks on astronomical photographs. She became interested in a particular nebula--the Magellanic Clouds--realizing that rhythms of the nebula's stars' pulsating glow could be used to calculate their brightness, which in turn could be used to calculate their distance from Earth. This breakthrough enabled astronomers to create a new picture of the universe; however, Leavitt's contribution was largely forgotten after her death in 1921. Johnson's informative and perceptive study sheds light on Leavitt's unsung life and career and gives her role in early-20th century astronomy some well-deserved recognition.
One of the pioneers of cosmology, Henrietta Swan Leavitt, is rescued from obscurity in MISS LEAVITT'S STARS, George Johnson's riveting account of her discovery of a means of gauging distances across space. Leavitt was one of the dozens of "computers," women employed by Harvard College Observatory to perform precise yet monotonous measuring tasks on astronomical photographs. She became interested in a particular nebula--the Magellanic Clouds--realizing that rhythms of the nebula's stars' pulsating glow could be used to calculate their brightness, which in turn could be used to calculate their distance from Earth. This breakthrough enabled astronomers to create a new picture of the universe; however, Leavitt's contribution was largely forgotten after her death in 1921. Johnson's informative and perceptive study sheds light on Leavitt's unsung life and career and gives her role in early-20th century astronomy some well-deserved recognition.
Praise
Publishers Weekly
"[A] fine tribute to a remarkable woman." 04/25/2004 New York Times Book Review
"George Johnson's short, excellent account....makes clear what Leavitt and her associates accomplished...." 06/19/2005
"[A] fine tribute to a remarkable woman." 04/25/2004 New York Times Book Review
"George Johnson's short, excellent account....makes clear what Leavitt and her associates accomplished...." 06/19/2005
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