Secrets of the universe : (Record no. 78670)

MARC details
000 -LEADER
fixed length control field 02794nam a22001697a 4500
008 - FIXED-LENGTH DATA ELEMENTS--GENERAL INFORMATION
fixed length control field 220401b2009 |||||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
020 ## - INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BOOK NUMBER
International Standard Book Number 9780500251553
082 ## - DEWEY DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION NUMBER
Classification number 520 MUR-P
100 ## - MAIN ENTRY--PERSONAL NAME
Personal name Murdin, Paul
245 ## - TITLE STATEMENT
Title Secrets of the universe :
Remainder of title how we discovered the cosmos /
Statement of responsibility, etc. Paul Murdin
260 ## - PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC. (IMPRINT)
Place of publication, distribution, etc. London
Name of publisher, distributor, etc. Thames & Hudson Ltd.,
Date of publication, distribution, etc. 2009
300 ## - PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Extent 341p.
365 ## - TRADE PRICE
Price type code GBP
Price amount 24.95
500 ## - GENERAL NOTE
General note <br/>Discoveries in astronomy challenge our fundamental ideas about the universe. Where the astronomers of antiquity once spoke of fixed stars, we now talk of whirling galaxies and giant supernovae. We once thought Earth was the centre of the universe; we now see it as a minor planet among millions of other planetary systems, any number of which could also hold life. These dramatic shifts in our perspective hinge on thousands of personal discoveries: moments when it became clear to someone that some part of the universe, whether a planet or a supermassive black hole, was not as it once seemed. This book invites us to participate in these moments of revelation and wonder as scientists first experienced them. The author, an astronomer, here provides an ambitious and exciting overview of astronomy, conveying to newcomers and enthusiasts alike the most important discoveries of this science and introducing the many people who made them. Illustrated with more than 400 colour images, the book outlines in seventy episodes what humankind has learned about the cosmos and what scientists around the world are poised to learn in the coming decades. Arranged by types of discovery, it also provides an overarching narrative that explains how the earliest ideas of the cosmos evolved into the cutting edge astronomy we know today. Along the way, he never forgets that science is a human endeavour and that every discovery was the result of inspiration, hard work, or luck, usually all three. The first section explores discoveries made before the advent of the telescope, from stars and constellations to the position of our sun. The second considers discoveries made within our solar system, from the phases of Venus and the moons of Jupiter to the comets and asteroids at its distant frontier. The following section delves into discoveries of the dynamic universe, like gravitation, relativity, pulsars, and black holes. A fourth examines findings made within our galaxy, from interstellar nebulae and supernovae to Cepheid variable stars and extrasolar planets. Next, the author turns to discoveries made within the deepest recesses of the universe, like quasars, supermassive black holes, and gamma-ray bursters. In the end, he unveils where astronomy still teeters on the edge of discovery, considering the dark matter and alien life.
650 ## - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
Topical term or geographic name as entry element Astronomy
650 ## - SUBJECT ADDED ENTRY--TOPICAL TERM
Topical term or geographic name as entry element Cosmology
952 ## - LOCATION AND ITEM INFORMATION (KOHA)
Withdrawn status
Holdings
Lost status Source of classification or shelving scheme Damaged status Not for loan Collection code Current library Shelving location Date acquired Total Checkouts Full call number Barcode Date last seen Date last checked out Koha item type
  Dewey Decimal Classification     520 BITS Pilani Hyderabad General Stack (For lending) 01/04/2022 3 520 MUR-P 44990 08/07/2025 09/04/2025 Books
An institution deemed to be a University Estd. Vide Sec.3 of the UGC
Act,1956 under notification # F.12-23/63.U-2 of Jun 18,1964

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