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Heavens on Fire : The Great Leonid Meteor Storms by Mark Littmann (1999, Trade Paperback)
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherCambridge University Press
ISBN-100521779790
ISBN-139780521779791
eBay Product ID (ePID)238475
Product Key Features
Book TitleHeavens on Fire : the Great Leonid Meteor Storms
Number of Pages360 Pages
LanguageEnglish
TopicAstronomy
Publication Year1999
IllustratorYes
GenreScience
AuthorMark Littmann
FormatTrade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height0.7 in
Item Weight26.5 Oz
Item Length9.7 in
Item Width6.9 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
Dewey Edition21
Reviews'It is one of those remarkable books that is, at the same time, an authoritative history, a well written and lucid text on the scientific phenomena and a great read. Using a combination … Littmann walks the reader through the topic in a thoroughly enjoyable fashion … Readers will find Littmann's book an excellent, and highly recommended, introduction to this research area.' Donald K. Yeomans, Spectrum, ' … a very useful work of reference and interest to both professional astronomers wanting to know more about the historical background and to non-scientists who want an introduction to the subject.' Robin M. Catchpole, The Observatory, 'This work represents a unique achievement as it is the first full-length book ever written on the subject of an individual meteor shower - the Leonids … Overall this is an excellent reference for anyone with an interest in the history of the Leonid meteors or who wants to try to observe the possible storms of the next few years. The writing is very accessible to non specialists, but detailed enough to make it a must-have for meteor enthusiasts.' Peter Brown, Sky and Telescope, ' ... a very useful work of reference and interest to both professional astronomers wanting to know more about the historical background and to non-scientists who want an introduction to the subject.' Robin M. Catchpole, The Observatory, ' ... a captivating account of the history and science of one of astronomy's rarest and most wondrous events. The text is nicely illustrated, and a generous sprinkling of vignettes throughout the book enriches the Leonid story by providing glimpses into the lives of the astronomers involved, and many other topics. Litmann's lucid writing style and attention to historical detail will make this book very appealing to anyone interested in the history of astronomy or general astronomy, and it should be part of any meteor-enthusiast's library.' Richard Sanderson, Journal for the History of Astronomy, ' … a captivating account of the history and science of one of astronomy's rarest and most wondrous events. The text is nicely illustrated, and a generous sprinkling of vignettes throughout the book enriches the Leonid story by providing glimpses into the lives of the astronomers involved, and many other topics. Litmann's lucid writing style and attention to historical detail will make this book very appealing to anyone interested in the history of astronomy or general astronomy, and it should be part of any meteor-enthusiast's library.' Richard Sanderson, Journal for the History of Astronomy, ' ... a superb description of the Leonid and other meteor showers.'Richard McKim, School Science Review, "Mark Littmann engagingly traces the history and mythology of meteors, profiles the fascinating figures whose discoveries advanced the field, and explores how meteors have changed the course of life on earth...a great read." The Strolling Astronomer, ' ... a superb description of the Leonid and other meteor showers.' Richard McKim, School Science Review, 'It is one of those remarkable books that is, at the same time, an authoritative history, a well written and lucid text on the scientific phenomena and a great read. Using a combination ... Littmann walks the reader through the topic in a thoroughly enjoyable fashion ... Readers will find Littmann's book an excellent, and highly recommended, introduction to this research area.' Donald K. Yeomans, Spectrum, ' ... a superb description of the Leonid and other meteor showers.’Richard McKim, School Science Review, ' … a fascinating story, told in great detail, full of interesting historical vigettes of the many protagonists, and very well explained in an easily understood style … There is a great deal of interesting and useful information in this beautifully produced book.' Astronomy Now, ' … a superb description of the Leonid and other meteor showers.' Richard McKim, School Science Review, 'This book is suitable for anyone with an interest in astronomy. ... very much worth recommending, well illustrated and free from errors. To sum up, a compelling read.' Colin Steele, Journal of British Astronomical Association, 'This work represents a unique achievement as it is the first full-length book ever written on the subject of an individual meteor shower - the Leonids ... Overall this is an excellent reference for anyone with an interest in the history of the Leonid meteors or who wants to try to observe the possible storms of the next few years. The writing is very accessible to non specialists, but detailed enough to make it a must-have for meteor enthusiasts.' Peter Brown, Sky and Telescope, 'This book is suitable for anyone with an interest in astronomy. … very much worth recommending, well illustrated and free from errors. To sum up, a compelling read.' Colin Steele, Journal of British Astronomical Association, ' ... a captivating account of the history and science of one of astronomy’s rarest and most wondrous events. The text is nicely illustrated, and a generous sprinkling of vignettes throughout the book enriches the Leonid story by providing glimpses into the lives of the astronomers involved, and many other topics. Litmann’s lucid writing style and attention to historical detail will make this book very appealing to anyone interested in the history of astronomy or general astronomy, and it should be part of any meteor-enthusiast’s library.’Richard Sanderson, Journal for the History of Astronomy, "...an excellent reference for anyone with an interest in the history of the Leonid meteors or who wants to try to observe the possible storms of the next few years. The writing is very accessible to nonspecialists, but detailed enough to make it a must-have for meteor enthusiasts." Sky & Telescope, ' ... a fascinating story, told in great detail, full of interesting historical vigettes of the many protagonists, and very well explained in an easily understood style ... There is a great deal of interesting and useful information in this beautifully produced book.' Astronomy Now
TitleLeadingThe
Dewey Decimal523.5/1
Table Of Content1. The night the stars fell; 2. Sifting; 3. Struggling to understand meteors; 4. The November meteors in history; 5. The critics attack; 6. The discovery of the August meteors; 7. 1866: the first predicted return; 8. The comet-meteor connection; 9. Meters for meteors; 10. The coming fire shower - 1899; 11. The world's safest fireworks display - 1932; 12. New horizons in meteor science; 13. Surprise - 1966; 14. Killer comets and dis-asteroids; 15. Catch a falling star; 16. Prospects for 1998, 1999, and 2000; 17. The journey of a meteoroid; Glossary; Notes; Bibliography; Index.
SynopsisA full and vivid account of the history and science of meteors, and of the people who established meteor science. Published to coincide with the great Leonid shower expected in mid-November, this is a delightful and readable description of science and history., Meteor succeeded meteor in such rapid succession that it was impossible to count them; at times the sky seemed full of them, and the earth was illuminated as with a morning light. Eye-witness accounts such as this, and every spectacular detail of the Leonids, the greatest meteor showers of all, can be found in the acclaimed The Heavens on Fire. In this volume, author Mark Littmann vividly tells the history of meteors, and especially the Leonids, whose terrifying beauty established meteor science. He traces the history and mythology of meteors, profiles the fascinating figures whose discoveries advanced the field, and explores how meteors have changed the course of life on Earth. Crisp illustrations capture the excitement of past meteor showers and help elucidate important concepts. The returning Leonids are now reaching their peak with great activity expected in 1999 and 2000. For all those who wish to take part in this rare experience, Littmann offers advice on how and where to find the best view. Filled with practical tips, clear explanations, and descriptions of a sight that more than one observer has called "brilliant beyond conception," The Heavens on Fire will delight every reader. Mark Littmann teaches astronomy at the University of Tennessee. His previous books include Comet Halley: Once in a Lifetime and Planets Beyond: Discovering the Outer Solar System. Both books were chosen by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific as Astronomy Books of the Year., Imagine the night sky so full of shooting stars that the firmament itself seems to be crashing to Earth. When the most spectacular of all meteor showers - the Leonids - passed in 1966, observers saw 40 every second. In 1833, three widely-separated observers described the Leonid storm as 'the heavens on fire'. The returning Leonids are now reaching their peak with great activity expected in mid-November in the next couple of years. The Heavens on Fire vividly tells the history of meteors, and especially the Leonids, whose terrifying beauty established meteor science. Mark Littmann traces the history and mythology of meteors, profiles the fascinating figures whose discoveries advanced the field, and explores how meteors have changed the course of life on Earth. He offers advice on how and where to make the best of the forthcoming Leonid storms.
LC Classification NumberQB745 .L58 1998
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