Hubble Vision: Astronomy with the Hubble Space Telescope

The refurbished Hubble Space Telescope has revealed spectacular and intriguing details in every object it has turned its acute gaze upon. What discoveries has the HST made so far? And how does this telescope actually work? This lavishly illustrated volume is the first to answer these questions in a complete review of the most exciting science to come from the Hubble Space Telescope. From the local Solar System and nearby stars, to the most distant quasars and early Universe, this volume presents a superb collection of the most dramatic images taken by the HST, supported by a lively and informative, but non-technical guide. Hubble Vision offers a view of the Universe as never seen before and will capture the imagination of all those interested in the astronomical quest of understanding our Universe - from the general reader and amateur astronomer through to the professional scientist.

Table of Contents:
Preface; 1. Space telescope: The dream and the reality; 2. Observing with the Hubble Space Telescope; 3. The Solar System; 4. Stars and the interstellar medium; 5. Galaxies; 6. Cosmology; Epilogue; Glossary and bibliography; Index.

Review :
'It is a most beautiful book and should at the very least belong to every school library … a truly excellent book.' Astronomy Now '… beautifully illustrated … Hubble Vision is exactly the type of astronomy book that first captured my imagination as a child: large, glossy pages that offer a stunning tour of the cosmos in pictures. It allows us to ponder and marvel at celestial sights previously hidden … an engaging and informative introduction to astronomy.' New York Times 'Hubble Vision is passionately written and will appeal strongly to engineers. Not just a pretty picture book, though it boasts an array of stunning photographs, it explains how the telescope was built, how it works, how the information is analysed, and, of course, discoveries such as interstellar heavy metals and black holes.' The Engineer '… this is an intriguing book.' R. Sword, Endeavour 'Its prose is clear, precise, and sometimes lyrical … Amateur astronomers probably will like its careful detail, attractive illustrations, and lucid discussions … professional scientists will appreciate its thoroughness, clarity and reliability.' Sky and Telescope '… This is an altogether richer and more challenging book. Here the authors have effectively captured the excitement of doing science with the Hubble. They lay out the history of the space telescope honestly and clearly …'. Scientific American '[an] authoritative work that bristles with awesome images.' Peter Gorner, The Chicago Tribune 'A tremendous lesson in science … a great book teaching about the trials and tribulations of technology.' Richard Watson, Los Angeles Times 'Alongside stunning color photographs, Petersen and Brandt give an intelligible tour of modern astronomy, using clear language and the occasional chart, so that any reader can grasp the principles of astronomy … Petersen and Brandt use cool-headed language and lucid explanations to provide an understanding of the science, work, and true discovery behind - and ahead of - the HST.' Katherine M. Reynolds, The Boston Book Review '… a fascinating description of the achievements of the Hubble Space Telescope … The authors … are to be congratulated on this production which is aimed at the general reader (there is no mathematics) as well as the amateur astronomer and professional scientist.' Gnomon, Newsletter of the Association for Astronomy Education