The Perfect Machine: Building the Palomar Telescope (Paperback)

by Ronald Florence (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A superb history by a super writer and historian." -- -- Allan Sandage

"Over to you, Pulitzer Prize Committee." -- -- Arthur C. Clarke

"A superb history by a super writer and historian." -- Allan Sandage

"Over to you, Pulitzer Prize Committee." -- Arthur C. Clarke

Product Description
Almost a half-century after is completion, the 200-inch Palomar telescope remains an unparalleled combination of vast scale and microscope detail. As huge as the Patheon of Rome and as heavy as the Statue of Liberty, this magnificent instrument is so precisely built that its seventeen-foot mirror was hand-polished to a tolerance of 2/1,000,000 of an inch. The telescope's construction drove some to the brink of madness, made others fearful that mortals might glimpse heaven, and transfixed an entire nation. Ronald Florence weaves into his account of the creation of "the prefect machine" a stirring chronicle of ht birth of Big Science and a poignant rendering of an America mired in the depression yet reaching for the stars.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 451 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (September 13, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060926708
• ISBN-13: 978-0060926700
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #80,122 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hugely enjoyable book about a huge project...., August 15, 2000

By	John Rummel (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A tale of modern engineering. The design and construction of the 200 inch Palomar observatory was possibly the first "big science" project of the modern era. Florence also provides much biographical information on George E. Hale, a necessity since the building of this telescope and the life of Hale were so intertwined as to be inseparable. Put simply, even if you have no background in astronomy or telescope-making, this book presents a story of a huge engineering undertaken. Nothing of the scale had ever been considered before and the designers and builders had to confront countless unique problems and invent new techniques along the way. This book is a classic in the history of modern astronomy, but enjoyable for anyone who loves reading about massive construction projects.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, October 11, 1999

By	David Skirmont (Los Gatos, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you ever wanted to know how large telescopes are built, then this is the book for you. Perfect Machine captures the time, climate, and excitement of one of the most complex science and engineering projects ever. Starting with the 100 inch Mount Wilson telescope, this book traces the history of Hale and his ever more ambitious telescope projects. Great projects require great visionaries and Hale was certainly the one who could pull this off. Filled with details and insights, this is one of the best science history books that I have read. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in telescopes, astronomy, or engineering. After reading this book I went 200 miles out of my way on a vacation to see the Telescope in person. It was well worth it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story of the Palomar telescope and its predecessors, July 8, 2004

By	John A. Dodds (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this book at the telescope gift shop on Mount Palomar back in 1996. I read it in the next few days. It is the fascinating tale of George Hale, a remarkable man who had to battle personal demons (in the form of debilitating mental breakdowns) to build the world's largest telescope--then do it again and again! I can't remember the first one offhand, but the 100-inch Hooker Telescope on Mt. Wilson was next, then the 200-inch Hale telescope on Mt. Palomar. This book talks about all the technical, financal and other difficulties that were overcome to make the giant telescope possible. It explains large earlier telescopes and how the problems encountered in their construction provided lessons for the designers and builders of the Palomar telescope. Anyone interested in the history of technology or astronomy should give this book a look.