2001, ISBN: 9780716737117

New York, New York, U.S.A.: W H Freeman & Co, 2001. Book. Fine. Hardcover. Charts the historical path of observational astronomy's most daunting challenge: measuring the distance … Mehr…

New York, New York, U.S.A.: W H Freeman & Co, 2001. Book. Fine. Hardcover. Charts the historical path of observational astronomy's most daunting challenge: measuring the distance to a star. The greatest scientific minds applied themselves in vain to the problem across the millennia, beginning with the ancient Greeks. Not until the 19th century would three astronomers, armed with the best telescopes of the age, race to conquer this astronomical Everest--their contest ending in a virtual dead heat. Against a sweeping backdrop filled with kidnappings, dramatic rescue, swordplay, madness, and bitter rivalry, astrophysicist Hirshfeld brings this remarkable story to life. Meet the destitute boy plucked from a collapsed building who becomes the greatest telescope maker the world has ever seen; the hot-tempered Dane whose nose is lopped off in a duel over mathematics; the merchant's apprentice forced to choose between the lure of money and his passion for astronomy; and the musician who discovers a new planet from his own backyard.--From publisher description. xiii, 314 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. Contents: Reinventing the cosmos -- Circle game -- What if the sun be center to the world? -- Crossed eyes and wobbling stars -- Heavens erupt -- Turbulent lens -- Wrangler of Pisa -- Archimedean engine -- Coal cellar with the view -- Double vision -- Dismal swamp -- Twice-built telescope -- Quest for precision -- So many grasshoppers -- Star in the lyre -- Subtle weave. All of our books are in the shop, and are 'real' books. We try to post the same day as the order. Descriptions are conservative. Postage rates may be lower than ABE estimate, please use Ask Bookseller a Question to confirm availability and postage cost, use [Ask Bookseller a Question] option below to confirm availability and get accurate postage quote for this item (the amount quoted is for an 'average' hard-cover book of up to 1kg in weight)., W H Freeman & Co, 2001, 5<

ISBN: 9780716737117

W. H. Freeman. Hardcover. POOR. Noticeably used book. Heavy wear to cover. Pages contain marginal notes, underlining, and or highlighting. Possible ex library copy, with all the marking… Mehr…

W. H. Freeman. Hardcover. POOR. Noticeably used book. Heavy wear to cover. Pages contain marginal notes, underlining, and or highlighting. Possible ex library copy, with all the markings/stickers of that library. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, and dust jackets may not be included., W. H. Freeman, 1<

ISBN: 9780716737117

W. H. Freeman. Used - Good. . . Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a … Mehr…

W. H. Freeman. Used - Good. . . Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours., W. H. Freeman, 2.5<