The Sun Kings: The Unexpected Tragedy of Richard Carrington and the Tale of How Modern Astronomy Began (Hardcover)

by Stuart Clark (Author) "There may not have heen any boldness in the design of the three-mast clipper ship Southern Cross, but it possessed an exquisite finesse as it..." (more)
Key Phrases: great auroral exhibition, magnetic crusade, solar photography, Royal Society, Royal Astronomical Society, Astronomer Royal (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this well-researched and very well-written book, Clark tells the embattled, little-known history of modern astronomy, a spry tale full of intrigue, jealousy, spite, dedication and perseverance. Peopled with a large, colorful cast, author and editor Clark (Journey to the Stars) delivers a tale rich in conflict and passion, beginning with William Herschel, an 18th century pioneer of telescope construction, who sets the status quo when he's ridiculed for discovering a relation between sunspot activity and grain harvests. In the 19th century, Clark covers a period of "deep crisis for British science," which saw the Astronomer Royal, George Biddell Airy, do all he could to suffocate solar research in England because he couldn't believe "in any link beyond mere sunlight between the Sun and Earth." Naturally, Airy couldn't stop progress, and solar observation continued through the 19th century under the direction of Greewich Observatory's Walter Maunder; in the 20th century, Clark describes the work of George Hale, instigator of the research that would eventually vindicate old Herschel by showing a profound correlation between sunspots and agricultural production; in the present, Clark considers the success and legacy of space-based observatories (SOHO and STEREO) and land-based radio telescopes. Though it might sound dry, Clark's parade of historical characters dramatize the narrative nicely, and Clark conveys the significance of their scientific observations with plenty of context and thorough references, making this a fascinating work for both casual stargazers and serious astronomy buffs.
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From Booklist
Among the several pioneering solar observers whom Clark discusses, an Englishman named Richard Carrington holds center stage, as much for his disappointments in his pursuit of a scientific career as for his discoveries. To cite but one of his credits, Carrington proved the sun has differential rotation and hence is gaseous. Though accorded recognition in 1859 by Britain's Royal Society, Carrington never obtained the jobs in astronomy he desired, was ever pressed by the demands of owning a brewing business, and made a puzzling marriage to a woman who was illiterate and, as Carrington tragically learned too late, had an angry beau in her background. Other scientists in Clark's cast are far more historically prominent (William Herschel and George Hale, for example), but the author has recovered a touchingly dramatic story in Carrington. Well paced and well chosen. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; illustrated edition edition (March 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691126607
• ISBN-13: 978-0691126609
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #690,607 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Book, May 16, 2007

By	mademoiselle_josephine_clementine_pilgrim (1550 N. Fern Circle) - See all my reviews

I read this book after hearing Seth Shostak's great interview with Stuart Clark on the SETI podcast. It is a fabulous tale of astronomy in Victorian times, complete with tragic motifs and quirky insights into what amateur astronomers and gentleman scientists thought about the Sun in those times. Great book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Solar Book ever, May 12, 2007

By	Ralph G. Marantino "h-alpha" (New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been an amatuer Solar observer for twenty years and own an extensive library of volumes dedicated to Solar Physics and the history of Solar observation."The Sun Kings:The Unexpected Tragedy of Richard Carrington and the Tale of How modern Astronomy began" by Stuart Clark is one of the best that I have ever read.I was amazed that on allmost every page was a jewel of history that that I was previously unaware of.Mr Clark's writing was easy to follow and a joy to read.I highly recomend this book to anyone interested in the history of Solar observation.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Historical Education, August 1, 2007

By	Crosslands (Maryland USA) - See all my reviews

This book is real history. It is well written, covers the important points of the history being written about, and is very informative. Clark has written a history of the discovery of the nature of the sun, and of how its magnetic field effects the earth. Clark does a very thorough job describing the lead researchers and how they operated. The basic science is discussed very clearly. I learned a lot.

This book is highly recommended for anyone even remotely interested in history.