The Cosmic Inquirers

Library Journal

The enormous progress of astronomy in the past two decades is in large measure due to the development of new types of telescopes that operate both on earth and in space. The Tuckers have compiled personalized histories of five large projects that have already made or will make contributions to our understanding of the universe. Their descriptions of the trials and tribulations endured by scientists involved with the VLA radio telescope, the Einstein X-ray Observatory, the HEAC-3 gamma-ray experiment, the infrared astronomy satellite, and the Hubble Space Telescope provide fascinating insight into how ``Big Science'' operates. The scientific rationale for each project is clearly explained, and the ``people'' stories give added appeal. Thomas E. Margrave, formerly with Physics & Astronomy Dept., Univ. of Montana, Missoula