Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. William Herschel opens up the invisible universe; 3. 1800–1950: slow progress – the moon, planets, bright stars, and the discovery of interstellar dust; 4. Dying stars shrouded in dust and stars being born: the emergence of infrared astronomy in the 60s and 70s; 5. Birth of far infrared and submillimetre astronomy: clouds of dust and molecules in our Galaxy; 6. The cosmic microwave background, echo of the Big Bang; 7. The Infrared Astronomical Satellite and the opening up of extragalactic infrared astronomy: starbursts and active galactic nuclei; 8. The Cosmic Background Explorer and the ripples, the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Explorer, and dark energy; 9. Giant ground-based infrared and submillimetre telescopes; 10. The Infrared Space Observatory and the Spitzer Space Telescope: the star-formation history of the universe and infrared galaxy populations; 11. Our dusty Solar System, debris disks and the search for exoplanets; 12. The future: pioneering space missions and giant ground-based telescopes; Notes; Credits for illustrations; Further reading; Bibliography; Glossary; Index of names; Index.
Michael Rowan-Robinson provides a comprehensive history of infrared astronomy in this accessible and well-illustrated guide.
Michael Rowan-Robinson served as Head of Astrophysics at Imperial College, London, from 1993 to 2007 and as President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 2006 to 2008. He has received numerous awards for his work in infrared and submillimetre astronomy, including the first Institute of Physics Hoyle Medal in 2008. He worked on the IRAS, ISO, Spitzer, and Herschel missions and was involved in the pioneering submillimetre observations of the 1970s.
'Night Vision is a fascinating and authoritative account of the
dramatically different Universe revealed when we observe the sky at
infrared and submillimeter wavelengths. In a very readable style,
often conversational and punctuated with anecdotes, Rowan-Robinson
traces the history of the subject, from its discovery right up to
the present day and future plans. The book is enlivened with many
well-chosen graphics and images of pioneering scientists. Extensive
quotations from the scientific literature, as well as personal
accounts of some major events in which the author has participated,
give insight into the agonies and ecstasies of exploration at the
boundaries of human knowledge. This volume will be valuable to a
wide range of audiences ranging from the casual reader interested
in science to students, research scientists and historians of
science.' Michael G. Hauser, Astronomer Emeritus, Space Telescope
Science Institute, Baltimore
'An excellent introduction to infrared astronomy.' BBC Sky at
Night
'Astronomer Rowan-Robinson is intimately acquainted with
astronomical investigations done in the infrared (beyond visible)
region of the spectrum, having made several important discoveries
himself. Here, he reviews the history of infrared from its
discovery by William Herschel in 1800, to the detection of infrared
absorption by the Earth's atmosphere in the solar spectrum by John
Herschel in 1840, and the detection of infrared radiation from the
moon by Piazzi Smyth in 1856.' M. K. Hemenway, Choice
'Nicely illustrated and presented.' Astronomy Now
'The language is accurate and efficient without being excessively
technical. … [the book] provides an approachable single source for
anyone wishing to understand the major discoveries of infrared
astronomy over the past few decades, and sets out the scientific
rationale behind the next decade's major ground- and space-based
observatories.' Alistair Glasse, The Observatory
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