A History of Optical Telescopes in Astronomy

Description

This book is uniquely about the relationship between the optical telescope and astronomy as they developed together. It covers the time between the telescope's pivotal invention in the 1600's up to the modern era of space-based telescopes. Over the intervening centuries, there were huge improvements in the optical resolution of telescopes, along with changes in their positioning and nature of application that forever altered the course of astronomy. For a long time, the field was an exclusive club for self-motivated stargazers who could afford to build their own telescopes. Many of these leisure-time scholars left their mark by virtue of their meticulous observations and record keeping. Although they would now be considered amateurs, these figures and their contributions were pivotal and are covered in this book alongside professionals, for the first time giving a complete picture of the history of telescopic science. Front Matter ....Pages i-xv Astronomy as a Science in Need of a Tool (Wilson Wall)....Pages 1-16 The Invention of the Telescope (Wilson Wall)....Pages 17-32 Developments in Optics and the Newly Invented Telescope (Wilson Wall)....Pages 33-51 Aerial Refractor Telescopes and the Development of Reflectors (Wilson Wall)....Pages 53-66 The Ascent of the Mirror Lens and Reflecting Telescopes (Wilson Wall)....Pages 67-81 Industrial Life Creating Fine Instruments and Polluting the Skies (Wilson Wall)....Pages 83-96 Moving Observations off the Planet (Wilson Wall)....Pages 97-107 The Hubble Space Telescope (Wilson Wall)....Pages 109-120 The Future: James Webb and Beyond (Wilson Wall)....Pages 121-127 Timeline of the Optical Telescope (Wilson Wall)....Pages 129-148 People in the Text (Wilson Wall)....Pages 149-169 Back Matter ....Pages 171-173