The last stargazers : the enduring story of astronomy's vanishing explorers

Author:

Levesque, Emily, author.

Abstract:

This book "combines the exciting travels of ... astronomer Emily Levesque with the misunderstood antics of a scrappy (and shrinking) crew of scientists working with stars and telescopes. She dissects both the romance and the real human curiosity that is so important to our exploration of space. Amidst the lonely quiet of stargazing to wild bears loose in the observatory, these love stories of astronomy show how scientists are going beyond the machines to infuse important creativity and intimate passion into the stars, inspiring future generations to peer skyward in pursuit of the universe's secrets"-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN:

9781492681076

Physical Description:

xvi, 313 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

General Note:

Includes reading group guide.

Subject Term:

Astronomy -- Popular works.

Astronomers -- Popular works.

Astronomical observatories -- Popular works.

Contents:

First light -- Prime focus -- Has anybody seen the condors? -- Hours lost : six. Reason : volcano -- The harm from the bullets was extraordinarily small -- A mountain of one's own -- Hayrides and hurricanes -- Flying with the stratonauts -- Three seconds in Argentina -- Test mass -- Target of opportunity -- The supernova in your inbox -- Synoptic future.

Personal Subject:

Levesque, Emily.

Personal Author:

Levesque, Emily, author.

Title:

The last stargazers : the enduring story of astronomy's vanishing explorers

Last star-gazers : the enduring story of astronomy's vanishing explorers

Available:*

Library	Shelf Number	Material Type	Status
Searching... Hattiesburg Library	520 LEVESQUE	Book	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

The story of the people who see beyond the stars--an astronomy book for adults still spellbound by the night sky

Embark on a captivating cosmic journey with The Last Stargazers. This enthralling book takes you on an awe-inspiring exploration of the night sky, offering a unique perspective on the vast celestial wonders that have fascinated humanity for millennia.

Written by astrophysicist Dr. Emily Levesque, The Last Stargazers combines scientific expertise with captivating storytelling, making it the perfect companion for both astronomy enthusiasts and curious minds. Dr. Levesque's passion for the stars shines through as she shares her personal experiences and encounters while working at some of the world's most renowned observatories.

Delve into the fascinating world of astronomy as you uncover the secrets of distant galaxies, supernovae, and elusive celestial phenomena.

Discover:

Inspiring narratives: Dr. Levesque's engaging storytelling transports readers to the front lines of astronomical research, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of a modern-day stargazer. Cutting-edge research: Stay up to date with the latest scientific breakthroughs and advancements in the field of astronomy, as Dr. Levesque shares her firsthand experiences and encounters. Accessible explanations: Complex astronomical concepts are made understandable and relatable, allowing readers of all backgrounds to appreciate and comprehend the wonders of the cosmos. Personal perspective: Gain insight into the personal journey of a dedicated scientist as she navigates the challenges and triumphs of studying the stars.

Whether you're a seasoned astronomer, a casual stargazer, or simply someone with a curiosity about the universe, The Last Stargazers is an indispensable guide that will ignite your passion for the cosmos and leave you in awe of the wonders that lie beyond. Take a leap into the vast unknown on a celestial odyssey like no other.

Author Notes

Emily Levesque is a professor at the University of Washington and lives in Seattle. She received her SB in physics from MIT and a PhD from the University of Hawaii. She has won the American Astronomical Society's Annie Jump Cannon Award and Newton Lacy Pierce Prize, among other awards.

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Levesque, a University of Washington astronomy professor, leads readers on a pilgrimage to observatories throughout the world in her wonderful debut. Having "been enraptured by space for as long as I remember," Levesque became set on astronomy as a career while studying at MIT among like-minded students and professors who similarly appreciated "the simple beauty of the sky." She blends these memories with profiles of huge telescopes, including the "beast of a machine" at Arizona's Kitt Peak National Observatory, Chile's cutting-edge Vera C. Rubin Observatory, and the mighty 630-ton Subaru Telescope atop Hawaii's highest mountain. Levesque describes her research on red supergiant stars, which led to a breakthrough about "how the insides of stars could work," and recalls how, before the widespread adoption of digital photography, astronomers like herself relied on glass photographic plates, working through the night to make adjustments by hand. Adding an Indiana Jones vibe, she recalls how, for her and others, astronomy has led to close calls with lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, tarantulas ("actually fairly, shy, skittish, and fragile"), and scorpions (which "do pose a danger to astronomers"). This will particularly appeal to young women interested in science, but any stargazer would enjoy this joyous adventure through modern astronomy. (Aug.)

Booklist Review

Levesque, a professional astronomer and recently tenured professor at the University of Washington, tells stories of telescopes--from analog to digital to artificially intelligent--and the fewer than 50,000 people globally who devote their lives to looking through them and deciphering their revelations. This book is a well-organized account of astronomy's mechanics (accessible explanations of technologies and space phenomena), misadventures (funny, poignant, and invigorating narratives about astronomers past and present), and metaphorical resonance (the author describes eclipses as "mathematical poetry"). Readers will discover oddities ranging from why astronomers used to lick equipment to how astronomers measure ripples in space-time itself. Levesque is unabashedly passionate and reverent without ignoring the continued problems of racism, sexism, and settler colonialism present in science. She illuminates the field's culture in clear and enjoyable prose with a wonderfully earnest sense of humor. Rudimentary physics knowledge will enhance the reading experience, but it is not necessary. Childhood stargazers who have since become inquisitive adults, and any fans of Sagan's Cosmos, will devour this book.

Library Journal Review

Introduced to the wonders of the night sky as a toddler using a telescope in her backyard, Levesque (astronomy, Univ. of Washington, decides to become an astronomer. Here she combines memoir with the science of astronomy, written for general readers. She shares her own experiences, as well as those of dozens of friends and colleagues who study the universe. She relates the changes in large telescope observation techniques that led to the ability to control telescopes in remote locations from an office laptop, along with the different kinds of equipment that record myriad data from the universe. Levesque also details the increased participation of women in the field, discoveries confirming hypotheses, and how carefully planned observing time at telescopes can be derailed by high winds or an errant cloud. She also touches on the controversy over a planned new telescope in Hawaii. VERDICT Levesque does a wonderful job explaining the science behind astronomy as she conveys the awe and beauty of the universe, the dedication of the people who study it, and the excitement of discovery in this fascinating account that will appeal to fans of narrative nonfiction and fellow stargazers.--Sue O'Brien, Downers Grove, IL

Introduction	p. xi
Chapter 1 First Light	p. 1
Chapter 2 Prime Focus	p. 27
Chapter 3 Has Anybody Seen the Condors?	p. 53
Chapter 4 Hours Lost: Six. Reason: Volcano.	p. 81
Chapter 5 The Harm from the Bullets Was Extraordinarily Small	p. 97
Chapter 6 A Mountain of One's Own	p. 117
Chapter 7 Hayrides and Hurricanes	p. 143
Chapter 8 Flying with the Stratonauts	p. 159
Chapter 9 Three Seconds in Argentina	p. 189
Chapter 10 Test Mass	p. 205
Chapter 11 Target of Opportunity	p. 229
Chapter 12 The Supernova in Your Inbox	p. 249
Chapter 13 Synoptic Future	p. 265
Reading Group Guide	p. 287
Interviews	p. 289
Notes	p. 293
Index	p. 297
Acknowledgments	p. 311
About the Author	p. 315

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Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Booklist Review

Library Journal Review

Table of Contents