A History of Modern Planetary Physics: Transmuted Past

by Stephen G. Brush

Overview

Transmuted Past follows the development of theories of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis in the twentieth century and describes radiometric methods for estimating the age of the Earth. Professor Brush also offers perspectives on the changing reputation of planetary science relative to the "pure" sciences, such as physics, and a comparison of history and geology as ways of studying the past.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521552134
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/23/1996
Series:	History of Modern Planetary Physics , #2
Pages:	146
Product dimensions:	0.39(w) x 9.21(h) x 6.14(d)

Table of Contents

Part I. Earth/History: 1. Introduction; 2. History and geology as ways of studying the past; 3. Kelvin and geological time; 4. Planetary science: from underground to underdog; Part II. Time and the Elements: 5. Cosmic evolution of matter; 6. Geochronology in the 20th century; 7. Stellar evolution and the origin of the elements.

Editorial Reviews

"An excellent work that covers a limited topic thoroughly." Science Books & Films

"...a major work, large in scope and splendid in execution....This will be a standard work for a long time to come." Curtis Wilson, Physics Today

"The three-volume A History of Modern Planetary Physics by Stephen G. Brush is a amjor work, large in scope and splendidin execution....Brush's account of many of the episodes is enhanced by his personal correspondence with the scientists involved....Brush's text...is workmanlike and probingly thoughtful. This will be a standard work for a long time to come." Physics Today

From the Publisher

Brush (history of science, U. of MD-College Park) follows the development of theories of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis in the 20th century, and describes radiometric methods for estimating the age of the Earth. He explores the shift in the reputation of the planetary sciences, from their major role in the 19th and early 20th centuries, to a status inferior to atomic physics and cosmology, and compares styles in scientific and humanistic research. For students and scholars of the history of science. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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