Cosmic Discoveries: The Wonders of Astronomy

By Wendee Wallach-Levy, David H. Levy, Wendee Wallach Levy

For many millennia the starry night sky has been a source of wonder and awe to men and women who have tried to unravel the mystery of the billion distant lights that fill the heavens after dark. The story of the great discoverers who succeeded in explaining part of the mystery is told here with the joy and infectious enthusiasm that only a fellow discoverer can convey. David Levy, codiscoverer of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, with his wife, Wendee Wallach-Levy, evokes that marvelous moment of "Eureka " as he masterfully relates each story. He gives the reader a glimpse of the enthralling adventure of cosmic discovery through stories of the most famous and brilliant astronomers. Beyond their personal accomplishments, these scientists expanded all of humanity's understanding of the universe and our place within it.Through Levy's unique perspective on cosmic discovery, he is able to connect his own personal life story with that of astronomers of the past and by extension with the history of the whole universe. As the codiscoverer of the spectacular comet that crashed into Jupiter, Levy formulated a whole new range of exciting questions about the universe: Do comets serve to transport the elements of life from one planet to the next? What is the evidence that a large comet once hit the earth? Will the earth someday be in danger of colliding with another such comet and will we have the technology to stop it?This fascinating book will excite any of us who have stared at the night sky in awe and amazement.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 157392931X
• ISBN13: 9781573929318
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 275 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

You'll want to discover a comet too!

This book is just briming with the joy of discovery. David Levy, one of the discoverers of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, which crashed into Jupiter, details the exuberant joy of finding a comet. In this mostly chronological look at comet discovery and other similarly relationed astromonical discoveries Levy leads one on an engrossing journey through space. Starting with Galileo, but focusing mostly on modern discoveries and discoverers one comes to understand the motivation of these amateur and professional astronomers. Pleasantly accessible for those who can only recognize the moon, but also a wonderful trip for the expert. Beautifully written! A must read...it will make you want to discover a comet too.

Cosmic Discoveries

This book is filled with lots of interesting asides on the fascinating men and women who have contributed to our knowledge of the heavens. Mr. Levy's books never fail to satisfy.

Cosmic Discoveries

Have you ever wanted to walk in the shoes of some of the great astronomers and space visionaries of all time, from Tyco Brahe to Arthur C. Clarke? Now is your chance. David H. Levy and Wendee Wallach-Levy give you a fun and informative stroll through time in their book Cosmic Discoveries. I recommend the walk.

Cosmic Discoveries: The Wonders of Astronomy

If you love history, and love astronomy, Cosmic Discoveries is the book for you!