The life of the stars: the controversial inception and emergence of the stellar structure theory

This beautifully illustrated book describes the birth and evolution of the theory of stellar structure through the vehement controversy between biology (aspresented by Darwin) and physics (as presented by Kelvin) about the age of the Earth, which culminated with Rutherford suggesting radioactive dating. Shaviv analyzes critically many proclaimed scientific results, showing how and why they were wrong, and explains why it took decades to find the now accepted scientific answers - where there are such - and why there remains much more to bedone before we can say we fully understand what happens up there in the heavens. The Life of the Stars provides fascinating reading for all those interested in the stars, in the history of astronomy and in what their story tells us about how science progresses. Moreover, it will bring readers up-to-date on current problems in astrophysics. Delivers fascinating insights into the development of the modern theory of stars Attractively illustrated with clear diagramsand beautiful colour pictures Delights the reader with entertaining anecdotesalongside deep philosophical excursions INDICE: The Controversy About the Age of the Earth - The Time Scale.- WhatStellar Classification Tells Us.- The Dawn of a New Era.- Towards a Complete Stellar Structure Theory.- From Chemistry to Dying Stars.- The Solution to theStellar Energy Problem.- How the Low-Mass Stars Extinguish.- The Life and Death of Massive Stars.- The Sun.

• ISBN: 978-3-642-02087-2
• Editorial: Springer
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 500
• Fecha Publicación: 30/08/2009
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés