The Sky at Einstein's Feet by William C Keel

The Sky at Einstein's Feet by William C Keel

Specifically traces the impact of Einstein's ideas on astronomy, including the way we interpret observations of stars and galaxies. Presents many applications of relativity that have not been shown in earlier popular-level books and illustrates how deeply physics permeates the way we interpret many astronomical phenomena.

From the reviews:

"One hundred years ago Albert Einstein published his special theory of relativityIn the century following his breakthrough, his insights have illuminated astronomical discovery. Keel's book shows how deeply relativity has informed our interpretation of the Universe, and how many of the amazing discoveries of the last century can be properly interpreted only with the use of the special and general theories of relativity." Mercury Jan-Feb 2006

[T]his book is a pleasant surprise in most respects... [T]his is the best and most accessible summary of relativistic effects in astronomy that I have had the pleasure of reading. I'm sure I'll inevitably dip back into it again.

--Roger Feasey, in Journal of the Auckland Astronomical Society

"In ‘The Sky at Einstein’s feet’, William Keel follows a different path and instead considers the impact that Einstein’s relativity has had on astrophysics. This is an enormous task, but Keel successfully covers several seemingly disparate areas … . Keel has done a good job of summarising Einstein’s impact. Noteworthy is his dedication to those who ‘have been unjustly forgotten’ … . this broad overview and historical content will appeal to the popular science market … ." (Geraint F Lewis, Australian Physics, Vol. 43 (2), 2006)

"The aim of this interesting book is to describe at a popular level how relativity theory has influenced the development of astronomy. … The style is lively and engaging. There are plenty of interesting anecdotes, some from the author’s own experience, which give a real idea of both the rigours and the excitement of astronomical research. … The book is copiously illustrated, with some stunning images … . the book would make excellent motivational background reading for students struggling with a first relativity course." (Andrew King, The Observatory, Vol. 126 (1194), 2006)

"Keel, in his book, wants to share witha wide audience the impact of relativity on astronomy. … clear, concise explanations introduce most new terms … . This, together with descriptive introductions to chapters and a good selection of illustrations make the book a well detailed, enjoyable read for the average amateur astronomer and those interested in the physics behind the pretty pictures of the night sky. With this book, Keel should achieve his objective … ." (Mark Mortimer, www.universetoday.com, May, 2006)

"This book is a review of current observational astronomy and the contribution of Einstein’s thought to our present understanding. It possesses considerable depth of coverage and insight and, generally, reads very well. … If you want the title explained, you must read the book. William Keel is a talented writer and that is about all I know about him. … For a general reader this book provides insight and information in an entertaining manner." (Roger O’Brien, Journal of the British Astronomical Association, Vol. 116 (4), 2006)

Dr. Terry D. Oswalt, an astronomer, is Head of the Department of Physics and Space Sciences and Associate Provost for Research at Florida Institute of Technology. He has also served the U.S. National Science Foundation as program officer for Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics. He earned his Ph.D. in Astronomy at The Ohio State University specializing in photoelectric and spectroscopic studies of binary star systems, late stages of stellar evolution, minor planets, and comets.

Since coming to Florida Tech in 1982, Dr. Oswalt has taught astronomy and physics, while continuing his primary research interest in studies of collapsed stars called white dwarfs. Because such objects are very faint, this work often takes him to Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, and Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, where telescopes as large as 10-meters are available on a competitive basis to scientists.

Oswalt is the founding Chairman of the Southeast Association for Research in Astronomy, a consortium of 10 universities which operates an automated 1-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona. In 2007 SARA will assume operations of a similar telescope at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory in Chile. Oswalt also has been director of the SARA summer internship program, which brings undergraduate students from around the U.S. to the SARA facility at Kitt Peak each summer to do research in astronomy. Dr. Oswalt has written over 100 scientific articles and edits the I.A.P.P.P. Communications, an international journal for advanced amateurs, students, teachers and professionals who collaborate on research and educational projects in astronomy. He is also the editor for a three-volume set of Springer books, The Future of Small Telescopes in the New Millennium.

William C. Keel is Professor of Astronomy at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. His astronomical interests began as a youngster using a secondhand reflector in the back yard, and he remains active as an amateur as well as professional astronomer. His undergraduate work was at Vanderbilt University, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Keel had postdoctoral positions at Kitt Peak National Observatory and at Leiden, before taking up a faculty position in Alabama.His research interests span the galaxies - active galactic nuclei, galaxy interactions and evolution, dust in galaxies. Observationally oriented, his work has used spectral bands from the radio to the X-ray regimes, with the strongest emphasis in the optical and ultraviolet.These results have been reported in 150 refereed papers. In recent years, much of his work has been tied to the enormously successful Galaxy Zoo citizen-science project. He continues to have scheduling responsibilities for the two telescopes of the SARA consortium, and has served on numerous NASA review panels including two Senior Reviews. Dr. Keel has been active in outreach beyond the formal classroom, through magazine articles, an online presence in several discussion forums, and webcomics explaining ongoing Hubble Space Telescope programs. He has written a technical monograph, The Road to Galaxy Formation, and the nontechnical volumeThe Sky at Einstein's Feet tracing the impact of relativity throughout astronomy.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780387261300
ISBN 10	0387261303
Title	The Sky at Einstein's Feet
Author	William C Keel
Series	Springer Praxis Bks
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Year published	2005-11-28
Number of pages	246
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.