The Supernova Story

By Laurence Marschall

Book Overview

Astronomers believe that a supernova is a massive explosion signaling the death of a star, causing a cosmic recycling of the chemical elements and leaving behind a pulsar, black hole, or nothing at all. In an engaging story of the life cycles of stars, Laurence Marschall tells how early astronomers identified supernovae, and how later scientists came to their current understanding, piecing together observations and historical accounts to form a theory, which was tested by intensive study of SN 1987A, the brightest supernova since 1006. He has revised and updated The Supernova Story to include all the latest developments concerning SN 1987A, which astronomers still watch for possible aftershocks, as well as SN 1993J, the spectacular new event in the cosmic laboratory.

-- "American Journal of Physics"

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691036330
• ISBN13: 9780691036335
• Release Date: June 1994
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A good overview about Supernovae, though its from 1988

This book brings a good overview to the reader, how Supernovae brings their information to our planet and how they develop with all the basics of astrophysics an cosmology needed to understand. It was published first in 1988 but a 2. series came out in 1994. So you can't find the newest informations on Supernovae.

A Blast!

Found the book to be inspirational to my own writing. A good introduction to the lay person, and with healthy detail for the versed.