A history of optical telescopes in astronomy / Wilson Wall.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wall, W. J. (Wilson J.), author.

Series:

Historical & cultural astronomy 2509-310X

History & cultural astronomy, 2509-310X

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Telescopes--History.

Telescopes.

History.

Physical Description:

xv, 173 pages : illustrations (some color), maps, portraits ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cham, Switzerland : Springer, [2018]

Summary:

"This book is uniquely about the relationship between the optical telescope and astronomy as they developed together. It covers the time between the telescope's pivotal invention in the 1600's up to the modern era of space-based telescopes. Over the intervening centuries, there were huge improvements in the optical resolution of telescopes, along with changes in their positioning and nature of application that forever altered the course of astronomy. For a long time, the field was an exclusive club for self-motivated stargazers who could afford to build their own telescopes. Many of these leisure-time scholars left their mark by virtue of their meticulous observations and record keeping. Although they would now be considered amateurs, these figures and their contributions were pivotal and are covered in this book alongside professionals, for the first time giving a complete picture of the history of telescopic science."--Back cover.

Contents:

Astronomy as a science in need of a tool

The invention of the telescope

Developments in optics and the newly invented telescope

Aerial refractor telescopes and the development of reflectors

The ascent of the mirror lens and reflecting telescopes

Industrial life creating fine instruments and polluting the skies

Moving observations off the planet

The Hubble Space Telescope

The future : James Webb and beyond

Timeline of the optical telescope

People in the text.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

331999087X

9783319990873

OCLC:

1044853418

Publisher Number:

99978794816