The Cosmological Distance Ladder: Distance and Time in the Universe First Edition Edition

by Michael Rowan-Robinson (Author)

2 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0716715863

ISBN-10: 0716715864

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The scale of cosmological distances has been a topic of dramatic controversy during the past decade. Experts estimating the size of the universe, as measured by the Hubble constant, have differed by as much as a factor of two. Just how big is the universe, and why have distance measurements varied to greatly? Michael Rowan-Robinson sheds new light on the origins of this controversy, critically reviewing the main techniques of measuring distances between astronomical bodies both within and outside our galaxy. Stars, galaxies, and cluster of galaxies all play a major part in the distance ladder, and knowledge of distance is essential for all branches of astronomy. As we examine the geometrical speculations of the Greeks and the first correct estimates of the relative distances of the planets from the Sun by Copernicus we realize that this is also a history of mankind's expanding horizon. Offering a fair, balanced review and a clear synthesis of the variety of techniques and methods for measuring cosmological distances (including the work of Gerard del Vaucouleurs, Allan Sandage, Gustav Tammann, and others), Rowan-Robinson integrates the various distance-measuring methods and presents a new, revised distance scale for the known universe. He supplies a unique perspective on modern astronomy itself as he pursues and expanding scale of distance from the solar system outward. Extensively illustrated with photographs and line drawings.

The Cosmological Distance Ladder: Distance and Time in the Universe

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Product Details

Hardcover: 355 pages
Publisher: W H Freeman & Co (Sd); First Edition edition (June 1985)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0716715864
ISBN-13: 978-0716715863
Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,478,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3206 in Books > Textbooks > Science & Mathematics > Astronomy & Astrophysics
- #6961 in Books > Science & Math > Astronomy & Space Science > Astronomy

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Such a great book, I wish someone would update it

By Marguerite Abaddonais on August 4, 2013

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

Firstly, this book is old. It was written the year I was born, which in astronomy means that it could use a good update. Having said that, it is the best explanation of many techniques that were used (and still are in many cases) to determine distances in the universe. It is very well-written and I found myself being constantly surprised by how some of the techniques were ever even figured out. The material is almost just a history of how clever people are.

It is not written for the layman, but more like for an undergraduate student. There is some math, but it doesn't feel like a textbook. For anyone interested in understanding the cosmological distance ladder, this book is a must have.Read more ›

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Great book amazing to read how people figured out they ...

By Asanka Amarasinghe on May 6, 2016

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

Great book amazing to read how people figured out their way through the universe and how they scaled it. It is a great book written in details. At the same time what I felt was that the book has the underlying story of the human endeavor of finding the way through our universe and measuring and scaling it to find our place in it.

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