Full Description
With foreword by astrophysicist and Queen guitarist Brian May
This book describes the unlikely development of astrophysics in Spain, set against the final decade of Franco's rule and the country's transition to democracy.
The author, Founding Director of Spain's Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, gives a firsthand account of his own and others' odyssey in establishing the field in Franco's Spain, showing how in a mere half-century, Spain was able to transform from a scientific backwater to a world player in astronomy and astrophysics. The book is a behind-the-scenes, warts-and-all depiction of how Big Science gets done, showing the motivations—sometimes as entertaining as they are infuriating—that drive scientific institutions and the scientists who work for them.
Many astronomers, both professional and amateur, and historians know of the great scientific work being done in Spain, but there is very little published information available about the complex story underlying it. This English edition now makes that story accessible for the lay reader. With its casual, yet captivating narrative, the book is a rare and inspiring contribution to the history of astrophysics, science policy, education and outreach.
Contents
Chapter 1. Perhaps it all began with an eclipse (1959-1961).- Chapter 2. Izaña (1961-1963).- Chapter 3. Tenerife and Mount Teide on the Moon (1724-1914).- Chapter 4. We are stardust (1962-1968).- Chapter 5. The zodiacal light (1962-1982).- Chapter 6. Astronomical site testing (1961-1974).- Chapter 7. Astrophysics versus astronomy (1961-1972).- Chapter 8. Astrophysics enters the Spanish university curriculum (1970-1985).- Chapter 9. The reluctant chancellor (1976-1980).- Chapter 10. A multinational astrophysics treaty (1960-2014).- Chapter 11. Telescopes versus military radars (1977-1978).- Chapter 12. Science meets politics: the Law of Astrophysics and its avatars (1975-2011).- Chapter 13. Royalty and heads of state above the clouds (1985).- Chapter 14. The Sky Law (1978-2017).- Chapter 15. The IAC: a dream come true (1971-present).- Chapter 16. Towards excellence in research (1971-present).- Chapter 17. Astronomical instrumentation, technology transfer, and its impact on industry (1974-present).- Chapter 18. The rise of space astrophysics in Spain (1942-present).- Chapter 19. Training future generations: the Canary Islands Winter School of Astrophysics (1989-present).- Chapter 20. Bringing Astronomy to the public (1986-present).- Chapter 21. The biggest, most advanced telescope in the world (1989-present).- Chapter 22. The European Extremely Large Telescope: dealings with ESO (1961-present).- Chapter 23. The Starlight Foundation: a step beyond astrotourism (2008-present).- Chapter 24. Astrophysics in Spain: the wider picture (1974-present).
