num_pages: 184
description: President Kennedys announcement that an American would walk on the Moon before the end of the 1960s took the scientific world by surprise. The study of the Moon and planets had long fallen out of favor with they were the stuff of science fiction not science.An upstart planetary laboratory in Tucson would play a vital role in the nations grand new venture and in doing so it would help create the field of planetary science. Founded by Gerard P. Kuiper in 1960 the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) at the University of Arizona broke free from traditional astronomical techniques to embrace a wide range of disciplines necessary to the study of planets including geology atmospheric sciences and the elegant emerging technology of spacecraft. Brash optimistic young students crafted a unique sense of camaraderie in the fledgling institution. Driven by curiosity and imagination LPL scientists lived throughand indeed made happenthe shattering transition in which Earths nearest neighbors became more than simple points of light in the sky.Under Desert Skies tells the story of how a small corner of Arizona became Earths ambassador to space. From early efforts to reach the Moon to the first glimpses of Marss bleak horizons and Titans swirling atmosphere to the latest ambitious plans to touch an asteroid LPLs history encompasses humanitys unfolding knowledge about our place in the universe.
language: English
title: Under Desert Skies: How Tucson Mapped the Way to the Moon and Planets
publisher: Sentinel Peak Books