AURA and its US National Observatories
AURA and its US National Observatories
$180.00
USDThe subject of this history is the science and politics of the establishment, funding, construction and operation of two important American observatories, the Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) and the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). The book is written from the unique perspective of Frank K. Edmondson, a former member of the AURA board of directors. Drawing on oral histories, archival material, as well as the author's personal participation from 1956 to the present, this is a personal account of a period of major innovation in American optical astronomy. Will be of interest to historians and astronomers alike.
- Unique, based on author's personal participation from 1956 to the present
- Oral histories were contributed by 85 individuals, 32 of whom are no longer living
- Important archival material came from the files of 23 institutions and 26 individuals
Reviews & endorsements
"The reporting is clear, accurate, and detailed, with ample documentation....its intellectual content and in its social practice....Edmondson has done well what he set out to do and his legacy of information and insight will assist less prudent historians in their speculations." Historical Studies in the Physics and Biological Sciences
"As it contains a great deal of previously unpublished material, this book will be invaluable to anyone trying to understand the history of American optical astronomy since the war. ...this is a unique book that will be of great interest to historians of postwar American astronomy...." David Leverington, Isis
Product details
April 1997Hardback
9780521553452
386 pages
244 × 170 × 22 mm
0.81kg
15 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. The Beginning
- Part II. AURA is Created
- Part III. New Directions for AURA
- Part IV. Cerro Tololo's Neighbours
- Part V. Epilogue.
