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The Story of Helium and the Birth of Astrophysics
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The Story of Helium and the Birth of Astrophysics Paperback / softback - 2012 - 2013th Edition

by B. B. Nath

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  • Paperback

Description

Paperback / softback. New. This fascinating chronicle of the epoch-making discovery of helium explains why it also marked the birth of a new branch of science called 'astrophysics', and corrects the many historiographical misinterpretations through revealing personal accounts.
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Details

  • Title The Story of Helium and the Birth of Astrophysics
  • Author B. B. Nath
  • Binding Paperback / softback
  • Edition number 2013th
  • Edition 2013
  • Condition New
  • Pages 274
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Springer
  • Date 2012-11-10
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index
  • Bookseller's Inventory # A9781461453628
  • ISBN 9781461453628 / 1461453623
  • Weight 0.9 lbs (0.41 kg)
  • Dimensions 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 in (22.86 x 15.49 x 1.78 cm)
  • Themes
    • Aspects (Academic): Science/Technology Aspects
  • Library of Congress subjects Astrophysics - History, Helium - Spectra
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2012949190
  • Dewey Decimal Code 553.971

From the rear cover

Biman Nath
The Story of Helium and the Birth of Astrophysics

Helium was the first element ever discovered by astronomers. Its presence was first indicated in the Sun and not on Earth. Further, its discovery marked the birth of the new science of astrophysics.

However, it turns out that the events leading to the discovery of helium have been rather misrepresented in books, journals, and even encyclopedias. The usual story about its joint discovery during a solar eclipse in 1868 by French astronomer Pierre Janssen and late in England by Norman Lockyer, is far from the truth. Janssen never mentioned any new spectral line in his reports.

The actual story turns out to be as dramatic as in fiction. This book tells the story without jargon, using the words of the scientists themselves (from their letters and reports), and rescues the real story from the backwaters of history.

Media reviews

Citations

  • Choice, 07/01/2013, Page 0

About the author

Biman Nath studied physics at the University of Delhi, India and received his Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Maryland, College Park, in the United States. He is currently at the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore, India. His research focuses on the interaction of gas with galaxies and its implications for the evolution of galaxies and diffuse gas in the universe. He is also interested in the popularization of science and writing fiction.