Unravelling Starlight

Barbara J. Becker taught history of science at the University of California, Irvine, until her retirement. Her research interests include the role of the amateur in the development of nineteenth-century professional astronomy, the redefining of disciplinary boundaries in the face of new knowledge and new practice, and the role of controversy in shaping the substance and structure of scientific knowledge.

• 1. Introduction; 2. '… the astronomer … must come to the chemist'; 3. The young observer; 4. 'A sudden impulse …'; 5. The riddle of the nebulae; 6. Moving in the inner circle; 7. Stellar motion along the line of sight; 8. A new telescope; 9. Solar observatories; 10. An able assistant; 11. Photographing the solar corona; 12. A scientific lady; 13. Foes and allies; 14. The new astronomy; 15. 'One true mistress'; 16. Conclusion; Appendix; Index.

'Unravelling Starlight is a science history book that delves deeply into the intricacies of unfolding theories and methods, interpersonal and institutional rivalries, day-by-day chronologies, and the human character. Becker is the historical scholar as detective, and presents this epic tale of scientific advancement less to entertain than to educate.' Alan Hirshfeld, IHPST Newsletter