Yerkes Observatory, 1892-1950: The Birth, Near Death, and Resurrection of a Scientific Research Institution

by Donald E. Osterbrock

Overview

Drawing on his experience as historian of astronomy, practicing astrophysicist, and director of Lick Observatory, Donald Osterbrock uncovers a chapter in the history of astronomy by providing the story of the Yerkes Observatory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780226639444
Publisher:	University of Chicago Press
Publication date:	04/15/2008
Series:	A Century Foundation Book Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	394
Lexile:	1520L (what's this?)
File size:	4 MB

Table of Contents

Preface
1: Birth, 1868-1897
2: Infancy, 1897-1904
3: Near Death, 1904-1932
4: The Savior, 1897-1931
5: The Boy President, 1929-1932
6: The Boy Director, 1932-1936
7: Resurrection on the Campus and at Yerkes, 1893-1937
8: Birth of McDonald Observatory, 1933-1939
9: An Extraordinarily Fine Group, 1936-1942
10: World War II, 1939-1945
11: Golden Years, 1945-1950
12: Epilogue: To the Centennial, 1950-1997
Abbreviations Used in Notes and Bibliography
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Former Lick Observatory Director Osterbrock portrays the history of Yerkes Observatory, built a century ago by the University of Chicago and remaining one of America's first big-science centers. By chronicling the contributions of its early directors, its decline from 1904 to 1932, and revitalization in the 1930s and 1940s, Osterbrock weaves issues central to the history of astronomy throughout the account, including the status of collaborative research programs, changes in scientific practice, funding headaches, and the increased role of federal financing to support astronomy research. Includes photographs. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

At a time when dramatic budget cuts affect fundamental research in physics, and all the more so poor relatives such as mathematical physics, Krieger's book gives us a good opportunity to stop and look at what has been accomplished so far.
— American Scientist

Philippe R. Di Fanceso