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A History of Modern Planetary Physics

A History of Modern Planetary Physics

A History of Modern Planetary Physics

Transmuted Past
Volume 2: The Age of the Earth and the Evolution of the Elements from Lyell to Patterson
Author:
Stephen G. Brush, University of Maryland, College Park
Published:
December 2008
Volume:
2. The Age of the Earth and the Evolution of the Elements from Lyell to Patterson
Availability:
Available
Format:
Paperback
ISBN:
9780521101462

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    Transmuted Past follows the development of theories of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis in the twentieth century and describes radiometric methods for estimating the age of the Earth. Professor Brush also offers perspectives on the changing reputation of planetary science relative to the "pure" sciences, such as physics, and a comparison of history and geology as ways of studying the past.

    • Presents a comprehensive survey on theories estimating the Earth's age
    • Offers a comparison of styles in scientific and humanistic research
    • Professor Brush's writing style is accessible to non-specialist readers

    Reviews & endorsements

    "An excellent work that covers a limited topic thoroughly." Science Books & Films

    "...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

    See more reviews

    Product details

    December 2008
    Paperback
    9780521101462
    148 pages
    234 × 156 × 8 mm
    0.22kg
    7 b/w illus.
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • Part I. Earth/History:
    • 1. Introduction
    • 2. History and geology as ways of studying the past
    • 3. Kelvin and geological time
    • 4. Planetary science: from underground to underdog
    • Part II. Time and the Elements:
    • 5. Cosmic evolution of matter
    • 6. Geochronology in the 20th century
    • 7. Stellar evolution and the origin of the elements.
      Author
    • Stephen G. Brush , University of Maryland, College Park