The Violent Universe

Joyrides Through the X-ray Cosmos

Kimberly Weaver (Autor)

Buch | Hardcover

224 Seiten

2005
Johns Hopkins University Press (Verlag)
978-0-8018-8115-2 (ISBN)

Infos

The universe is filled with extreme events: galactic collisions, supernovae eruptions, and stellar implosions. Although not always visible through optical telescopes, these processes generate x-rays, high-energy particles that travel at the speed of light. The Violent Universe reveals how astronomers use color to understand the energy and intensity of these x-rays - in the process transforming invisible particles into gorgeous images of the cosmos - and how these scientists discover more about the exotic objects that produce them. Kimberly Weaver traces the development of x-ray astronomy from the 1950s, when the first artificial satellites began transmitting information from deep space. By juxtaposing a selection of images from optical telescopes with those of cutting-edge x-ray telescopes, she illustrates the way x-ray astronomy captures energy and activity that cannot be seen in visible light. The book is illustrated with stunning four-color images of galaxies, quasars, pulsars, and black holes captured by Chandra, an enormous x-ray satellite that orbits Earth from a distance 200 times higher than that of the Hubble Space Telescope.
The Violent Universe makes plain the amazing new astronomy that has unmasked the thunderous cosmos - a dynamic science that daily creates breathtaking art.

Produkt-Details

• Vorwort: Riccardo Giacconi
• Zusatzinfo: 162 colour illustrations
• Verlagsort: Baltimore, MD
• Sprache: englisch
• Maße: 216 x 279 mm
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Natur / Technik ► Weltraum / Astronomie
• ISBN-10: 0-8018-8115-3 / 0801881153
• ISBN-13: 978-0-8018-8115-2 / 9780801881152
• Zustand: Neuware