Dava Sobel Libros

In addition to the text of Longitude this edition also contains over 200 illustrations, biographical articles on the major characters, additional boxed information on the important scientific, nautical, historical and artistic events of the day, time lines and diagrams to explain geographical, horological and astronomical aspects of longitude.

This is an account of the relationship between Italian scientist Galileo and his daughter, Marie Celeste. It contains letters sent from Marie Celeste to her father from a Florence convent.

Exploring the contributions of women to the field of astronomy, this book highlights the lives and achievements of the female "computers" at Harvard College Observatory. It delves into their groundbreaking work in analyzing glass photographic plates that revolutionized the understanding of the universe. Through vivid storytelling, the author reveals how these women overcame societal barriers and played a crucial role in scientific advancements, ultimately changing the way we perceive the cosmos.

'A biographical orrery - intricate, complex and fascinating' The Observer 'A peerless intellectual biography. The Glass Universe shines and twinkles as brightly as the stars themselves' Economist Bestselling author Dava Sobel returns with a captivating, little-known true story of women in science Before they even had the right to vote, a group of remarkable women were employed by Harvard College Observatory as 'Human Computers' to interpret the observations made via telescope by their male counterparts each night. The author of Longitude, Galileo's Daughter and The Planets shines light on the hidden history of these extraordinary women who changed the burgeoning field of astronomy and our understanding of the stars and our place in the universe.

By 1514, the reclusive cleric Nicolaus Copernicus had developed an initial outline of his heliocentric theory-in which he defied common sense and received wisdom to place the sun, and not the earth, at the center of our universe, and set the earth spinning among the other planets. Over the next two decades, Copernicus expanded his theory and compiled in secret a book-length manuscript that tantalized mathematicians and scientists throughout Europe. For fear of ridicule, he refused to publish. In 1539, a young German mathematician, Georg Joachim Rheticus, drawn by rumors of a revolution to rival the religious upheaval of Martin Luther's Reformation, traveled to Poland to seek out Copernicus. Two years later, the Protestant youth took leave of his aging Catholic mentor and arranged to have Copernicus's manuscript published, in 1543, as De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres)-the book that forever changed humankind's place in the universe. In her elegant, compelling style, Dava Sobel chronicles, as nobody has, the conflicting personalities and extraordinary discoveries that shaped the Copernican Revolution. At the heart of the book is her play "And the Sun Stood Still," imagining Rheticus's struggle to convince Copernicus to let his manuscript see the light of day.

The book explores the life and contributions of a groundbreaking female scientist, highlighting her significant impact on the field and the lesser-known stories of the young women who trained under her guidance. It offers a glimpse into their experiences and the challenges they faced, shedding light on the historical context of women in science. Through this narrative, the author emphasizes the importance of mentorship and the legacy of female empowerment in scientific pursuits.

Focusing on the life and contributions of a groundbreaking female scientist, the book explores her significant impact on the field and highlights the lesser-known stories of the young women who trained in her laboratory. Through a blend of biography and historical context, it sheds light on their struggles and achievements, offering a fresh perspective on women's roles in science. The narrative emphasizes both the individual's legacy and the collective experiences of women in a male-dominated profession.

In einer Zeit, als Edison mit seiner elektrischen Glühbirne für Aufsehen sorgte, begannen Frauen an der amerikanischen Ostküste, die Gestirne zu erkunden. In den 1880er-Jahren engagierte ein Professor der Harvard University Frauen als „Computer“ am Observatorium. Dazu gehörten nicht nur Angehörige von Astronomen, sondern auch Absolventinnen neuer Frauen-Colleges und leidenschaftliche Sternbeobachterinnen. Diese Frauen leisteten Erstaunliches: Williamina Fleming, eine ledige Mutter und ehemalige Haushälterin, entdeckte rund 300 Sterne, während Antonia Maury eine eigene Klassifikation der Planeten entwickelte, die als Grundstein der modernen Astrophysik gilt. Dennoch fanden nur wenige von ihnen später die verdiente Anerkennung. Dava Sobel widmet sich in ihrem neuen Buch dem Wirken dieser ambitionierten Wissenschaftlerinnen und setzt ihnen ein Denkmal. Die Autorin hat intensiv recherchiert und präsentiert ihre Erkenntnisse auf spannende und persönliche Weise. Sobels Werk sensibilisiert die Leser für historische Geschlechterungleichheiten in der Wissenschaft und zeigt, dass unser Wissen über den Nachthimmel auf den Verdiensten beider Geschlechter beruht. Es ist ein lebendiges Porträt fast vergessener Wissenschaftlerinnen, die entscheidend zur Entwicklung der Astrophysik beitrugen.

W drugiej połowie XIX wieku Obserwatorium Harvarda zaczęło zatrudniać kobiety na stanowiskach obliczeniowców, tzw. ludzkich komputerów. Ich zadaniem było interpretowanie obserwacji teleskopowych wykonywanych co noc przez męskich pracowników instytucji. Początkowo grupa ta składała się z żon, sióstr i córek astronomów, ale wkrótce jej szeregi zasiliły absolwentki nowych college’ów dla kobiet – Vassar, Wellesley oraz Smith. Kiedy fotografia zmieniła sposób uprawiania astronomii, kobiety przeniosły uwagę z obliczeń na badanie gwiazd utrwalanych każdej nocy na szklanych płytach fotograficznych. „Szklany wszechświat”, składający się z pół miliona płyt przez dekady gromadzonych przez Uniwersytet Harvarda, umożliwił kobietom dokonanie niesamowitych odkryć, dzięki którym ich nazwiska zajęły honorowe miejsce w dziejach astronomii. Były to: Williamina Fleming, Antonia Maury, Henrietta Swan Leavitt, Annie Jump Cannon oraz Cecilia Payne. Książka Szklany wszechświat, wzbogacona fragmentami listów, dzienników i pamiętników, to ukryta historia kobiet, których wkład w rozwój astronomii na zawsze zmienił sposób rozumienia gwiazd oraz naszego miejsca we Wszechświecie.