Great Observatories of the World
A tour of 56 professional astronomical observatories, this oversize album will bowl over readers. Although its text is predominantly descriptive of telescope technology, the balanced pictorial design expresses the ineffable majesty of modern telescopes. Photographs abound of the breathtaking mountain settings of many observatories, while sample images of celestial objects demonstrate the astonishing detail they are capable of resolving; several new telescopes are more powerful than even the Hubble Space Telescope. The French authors explain with crystal-clear diagrams the physical principles behind these increases in telescopic power, such as adaptive optics (mirrors that compensate for atmospheric turbulence). Presenting historical observatories such as Mount Wilson or Pic du Midi, Brunier and Lagrange explain how those observatories continue to be scientifically productive by exploring prospective areas of research for the next generation of ground- and space-based telescopes. However daunting its price, this alluring album, where seen, will be admired.Gilbert TaylorCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved