Miss Leavitt's stars : the untold story of the woman who discovered how to measure the universe / George Johnson.
How big is the universe? In the early twentieth century, scientists took sides. One held that the entire universe was contained in the Milky Way galaxy; their champion was the strong-willed astronomer Harlow Shapley. Another camp believed that the universe was so vast that the Milky Way was just one galaxy among billions--the view that would prevail, proven by the equally headstrong Edwin Hubble. Almost forgotten is the Harvard Observatory Computer--a human number cruncher hired to calculate the positions and luminosities of stars in astronomical photographs--who found the key to the mystery. Radcliffe-educated Henrietta Swan Leavitt, fighting ill health and progressive deafness, stumbled upon a new law that allowed astronomers to use variable stars--those whose brightness rhythmically changes--as a cosmic yardstick. This book is both an account of how we measure the universe, and the moving story of a neglected genius.--From publisher description.
Record details
- ISBN: 0393051285
- ISBN: 9780393051285
- Physical Description: xiv, 162 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm.
- Edition: First edition
- Publisher: New York : W.W. Norton, [2005]
- Copyright: ©2005
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 149-150) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Prologue : the village in the canyon -- Black stars, white nights -- Hunting for variables -- Henrietta's law -- Triangles -- Shapley's ants -- The late, great Milky Way -- In the realm of the nebulae -- The mysterious K -- The cosmic stampede -- Ghost stories -- Epilogue : fire on the mountain.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Leavitt, Henrietta Swan, 1868-1921.
Harvard College Observatory > History.
Astrometry > History.
Astronomical photometry.
Astronomy > United States > History > 20th century.
Women astronomers > United States > Biography. - Genre:
- Biographies.
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Available copies
- 7 of 7 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Onslow County Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 7 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Main Library | 522 JOH (Text) | 36015000662292 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
