New Cosmic Horizons: Space Astronomy from the V2 to the Hubble Space Telescope [Paperback]

David Leverington (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0521658330 | ISBN-13: 978-0521658331

New Cosmic Horizons tells the extraordinary story of space-based astronomy since the Second World War. Starting with the launch of the V2 rocket in 1946, this book explores the triumphs of space experiments and spacecraft designs and the amazing astronomical results that they have produced. David Leverington examines the fascinating way in which the changing political imperatives of the United States, USSR/Russia and Western Europe have modified their space astronomy programs. He covers all major astronomy missions of the first fifty years of space research: the Soviet Sputnik and American Explorer projects, the subsequent race to the moon, solar and planetary missions, and the wonders of modern astrophysics culminating in the exciting results of the Hubble Space Telescope. Extensively illustrated, New Cosmic Horizons offers amateur and professional astronomers an unusual perspective on the history of astronomy in our time. David Leverington was Design Manager of the GEOS Spacecraft and Meteosat Program Manager for ESA in the 1970s. During his tenure as Engineering Director at British Aerospace in the 1980s, he was responsible for the Giotto spacecraft that intercepted Halley's comet, and the Photon Detector Assembly and solar arrays for the Hubble Space Telescope. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He lives in Essex, England.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Not only is the writing in New Cosmic Horizons thorough and clear, but the book is also well structured, and the appendices, glossary, bibliography and other summaries allow the reader to navigate it reasonably easily. Besides, as a participant in space research since the 1960s, the author witnessed many of the events first-hand, giving his writing authority...I recommend the book to anyone interested in space astronomy--laypersons, students of astronomy, and professional astronomers." Nature

"illustrated and with a comprehensive, "reader friendly" text ideal for both astronomy students, non-specialist general reader.New Cosmic Horizons will prove to be an essential, core addition to any personal, academic or community library reference collection." The Bookwatch

Book Description

New Cosmic Horizons describes the fascinating development of astronomical observations from space starting with the launching of the first V2 rockets in 1946 and ending with the Hubble Space Telescope. It covers both the scientific and political aspects of these astronomical space programmes in a style accessible to amateur and professional astronomers, and to technically-minded readers alike. Extensively illustrated, it includes the Apollo programme and planetary probes, as well as astronomical observatories designed to observe the deeper universe. The American, Soviet and European programmes are all covered.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 520 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (June 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521658330
• ISBN-13: 978-0521658331
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,849,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The fascinating history of space-based astronomy, September 12, 2001

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Cosmic Horizons: Space Astronomy from the V2 to the Hubble Space Telescope (Paperback)

In New Cosmic Horizons: Space Astronomy From The V2 To The Hubble Space Telescope, David Leverington reveals the fascinating history of space-based astronomy from the launching of the V! rocket in 1946 down to the present day. Here are all the triumphs of the space experiments and spacecraft designs that have produced the spectacular astronomical results in the last half of the twentieth century. Profusely illustrated and with a comprehensive, "reader friendly" text ideal for both astronomy students, astronomy professionals, and the interested non-specialist general reader, New Cosmic Horizons will prove to be an essential, core addition to any personal, academic or community library reference collection.