Overview
- This book chronicles the International Astronomical Union on the background of 100 years of astronomy
- It describes how the Union has evolved from a closed club of astronomers to a vital force in modern society
- A central feature is its live personal interviews, with new photos, of many of the key actors since 1964
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Table of contents (6 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
While much important scientific progress took place already before 1945, the book naturally focuses on the accelerating evolution during the second half of the century. In the past few decades, the previously narrow IAU focus on organising professional astronomy has broadened to include societally relevant activities such as addressing the hazard of asteroid impacts, the planetary status of Pluto in the Solar System, and the hugely successful International Year of Astronomy. Most recently, it is spearheading a combination of science literacy and public outreach.
The book will be of interest to professional astronomers as well as an astronomically interested general audience. The book features live personal interviews with as many of the key actors as still possible.
Authors and Affiliations
About the authors
Johannes Andersen (Denmark) is a former IAU General Secretary and a research astronomer with ~400 professional publications and an IAU Symposium volume behind him.
David Baneke (Netherlands) is assistant professor in the history of science at Utrecht University and has written extensively on the history of modern science and scientific institutions.
Claus Madsen (Denmark) is a former outreach and policy officer at ESO, a key actor in the preparation of the IYA in 2009, and the author of books on astronomy, including the history of ESO, science communication and European science policy.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The International Astronomical Union
Book Subtitle: Uniting the Community for 100 Years
Authors: Johannes Andersen, David Baneke, Claus Madsen
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96965-7
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-96964-0Published: 05 March 2019
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-96965-7Published: 20 February 2019
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XV, 375
Number of Illustrations: 50 b/w illustrations, 116 illustrations in colour
Topics: Popular Science in Astronomy, Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology, History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics