Astronomy's Quest for Sharp Images: From Blurred Pictures to the Very Large Telescope

Astrophysical discoveries have blossomed since the 1960s due to the emergence of powerful and new observational tools, such as adaptive optics and optical interferometry. This book tells a personal story of these revolutions in observational astronomy, born two centuries ago and blossoming in the past fifty years. With the construction of the Very Large Telescope in Chile, Europe played a leading role, and young scientists have developed a superb creativity to obtain sharp images of exoplanetary systems and black hole environments.

\n Format: Paperback
\n \n Publication date: 14 December 2020
\n Publisher: Springer International Publishing
\n

Since the 1960s, astrophysical discoveries have flourished, fueled by the emergence of powerful and innovative observational tools. Among these advancements, a remarkable improvement in the sharpness of astronomical images, achieved through ground-based optical telescopes, has been the result of two revolutionary technologies: adaptive optics and optical interferometry.

Written for a general audience, interwoven with fascinating details about the evolution of vision and optics, this book tells a personal story of these revolutions in observational astronomy, born two centuries ago and flourishing in the past fifty years. With the construction of the Very Large Telescope in Chile, Europe has played a leading role, where young scientists, joining creative astronomers and engineers, have developed exceptional creativity. Today, incredibly sharp images of exoplanetary systems and black hole environments are obtained, revealing new questions about Earth-like objects or fundamental physics.

The author has been one of the actors in this adventure. His firsthand testimony opens the future to new horizons.

\n Weight: 490g\n
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 16 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9783030558109\n \n