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The Perfect Machine: Building the Palomar Telescopeby Ronald Florence
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:Almost a half-century after is completion, the 200-inch Palomar telescope remains an unparalleled combination of vast scale and microscope detail. As huge as the Pantheon of Rome and as heavy as the Statue of Liberty, this magnificent instrument is so precisely built that its seventeen-foot mirror was hand-polished to a tolerance of 2/1,000,000 of an inch. The telescope's construction drove some to the brink of madness, made others fearful that mortals might glimpse heaven, and transfixed an entire nation. Ronald Florence weaves into his account of the creation of "the perfect machine" a stirring chronicle of the birth of Big Science and a poignant rendering of an America mired in the depression yet reaching for the stars. Review:"A superb history by a super writer and historian." (-- Allan Sandage ) Review:"Over to you, Pulitzer Prize Committee." (-- Arthur C. Clarke ) Synopsis:A stirring chronicle of the potential of Big Science and a poignant rendering of an America mired in the Depression, The Perfect Machine weaves a tale of human effort and technical splendor that culminates in the completion of the Palomar Telescope. 16 page photo insert. Line drawings.
Description:Includes bibliographical references (p. [421]-434) and index. About the AuthorRonald Florence was educated at Berkeley and Harvard. The author of five previous books, he lives with his wife and son on the Connecticut shore, where they raise Cotswold sheep. What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
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