Synopses & Reviews
There's more to the Universe than meets the eye. In a marvelous review of multi-wavelength astronomy, The New Astronomy compares traditional optical images to infrared, ultraviolet, radio, and X-ray astronomical observations of a staggering variety of cosmic objects. With over 300 photographs and images obtained by telescopes and detectors operating at different wavelengths, the authors present startlingly different views of the solar system, stars, galaxies and, in this new edition, Halley's Comet and Supernova 1987A. Specially processed by astronomers worldwide, these images reveal in spectacular detail otherwise invisible events such as starbirth, stardeath, and distant quasar eruptions. Emphasizing the physical processes that produce astronomical radiation, they explain how the observations have expanded our existing knowledge and provided new discoveries. They also describe the new techniques in nontechnical language. By giving equal weight to observations at all wavelengths, this book corrects the bias toward optical astronomy and objectively presents all views of the Universe. It will appeal to everyone interested in the mysteries of astronomy. Nigel Henbest and Michael Marten previously collaborated (along with Heather Couper) on The Guide to the Galaxy (CUP, 1994).
Review
"...a rich collection of the finest images of planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe...For this new edition, there are over 200 entirely new images, selected from the Hubble Space Telescope and orbiting X-ray detectors, as well as from the leading groundbased radio and infrared telescopes. Like the first edition, The New Astrnomy is a colorful photo book." The Strolling Astronomer
Synopsis
The New Astronomy compares optical, infrared, ultraviolet, radio and X-ray astronomical observations. With over 300 colour photographs, including Halley's comet and Supernova 1987A, and details of the new techniques and discoveries, this is a brilliant synthesis of all that is new in the astronomy of today.
Table of Contents
1. The new astronomy; 2. Solar system; 3. Optical astronomy; 4. Starbirth; 5. Infrared astronomy; 6. Stardeath; 7. Radio astronomy; 8. Milky Way system; 9. Ultraviolet astronomy; 10. Normal galaxies; 11. X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy; 12. Active galaxies and beyond; Picture credits; Index.