A History of Modern Planetary Physics: Volume 1, The Origin of the Solar System and the Core of the Earth from LaPlace to Jeffreys: Nebulous Earth (History of Modern Planetary Physics, 1) - Softcover

Brush, Stephen G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 052109321X ISBN 13: 9780521093217

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2009

Synopsis

During the past 200 years, astronomers and geologists have developed and tested several different theories about the origin of the solar system and the nature of the Earth. Together, the three volumes that comprise A History of Modern Planetary Physics present a survey of these theories. Nebulous Earth follows the development of Laplace's Nebular Hypothesis, its connection with ideas about the interior of the Earth, and its role in the establishment of the "evolutionary" worldview that dominated science in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Brush also explores Saturn's rings, Poincaré's contributions to ideas about cosmic evolution, the use of seismology to probe the earth's core, and explanations of the Earth's magnetic field. This series will interest historians and philosophers of science as well as earth scientists and geologists.

About this title

Book Description:

The three volumes that comprise A History of Modern Planetary Physics present a survey of the different theories about the origin of the solar system and the nature of the Earth. Nebulous Earth follows the development of Laplace's Nebular Hypothesis, its connection with ideas about the interior of the Earth, and its role in the establishment of the "evolutionary" worldview that dominated science in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Brush also explores Saturn's rings, Poincaré's contributions to ideas about cosmic evolution, the use of seismology to probe the earth's core, and explanations of the Earth's magnetic field.

Review:

"...a major work, large in scope and splendid in execution....This will be a standard work for a long time to come." Curtis Wilson, Physics Today

"The three-volume A History of Modern Planetary Physics by Stephen G. Brush is a amjor work, large in scope and splendidin execution....Brush's account of many of the episodes is enhanced by his personal correspondence with the scientists involved....Brush's text...is workmanlike and probingly thoughtful. This will be a standard work for a long time to come." Physics Today

"I recommend this work highly for those with interests in the history of geology or astronomy, the development of scientific ideas, or the role of the individual within the scientific community." Michael Thayer, Science Books and Films

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 052109321X
• ISBN 13: 9780521093217
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 328