{"product_id":"the-telescope-its-history-technology-and-future","title":"The Telescope: Its History  Technology  and Future","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the four centuries since its invention  the telescope has transformed how humans view the universe and their place in it. But what do most of us know about telescopes themselves--their history  how they work  what they are being used for today  or what the next generation of billion-dollar telescopes will look like? In The Telescope  Geoff Andersen fills in all the details for us in an accessible  nontechnical way that will appeal to the amateur astronomer and anyone else who has been more than a little curious about this amazing instrument.  The book covers every aspect of optical telescopes--from the humblest backyard setup  to state-of-the-art observatories  to the Hubble Space Telescope and spy satellites. Chapters describe the development  design  and operation of telescopes; how observatories are sited  engineered  and built; variations such as solar and liquid-mirror telescopes; and some of the key astronomical discoveries telescopes have made possible. And there are plenty of surprises along the way. We learn  for example  that most of todays professional astronomers never even look through their own telescopes  relying instead on digital imaging  measurement  and analysis--or even remote computer control of a night-shrouded observatory on the other side of the Earth.  But  as The Telescope explains  these magnificent instruments do more than simply peer into space. They project and receive laser beams--for communicating  mapping  and making detailed observations of the Earth. They also look down at us from spy satellites  providing secret images to intelligence agencies--and  increasingly  giving a curious public access to more pedestrian images.  The Telescope is the ideal introduction to a fascinating instrument that has taught us so much--but that most of us know so little about.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44956522184757,"sku":"ByrdShop_0691129797","price":28.31,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780691129792.jpg?v=1770320563","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-telescope-its-history-technology-and-future","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}