Background
Murdin, Paul Geoffrey was born on May 1, 1942 in Croydon, Surrey, United Kingdom. Son of Robert and Ethel Murdin.
(Supernovae are gigantic stellar explosions. The effects o...)
Supernovae are gigantic stellar explosions. The effects of these rare events pervade astronomy, creating and spreading the chemical elements, triggering the formation of new stars, creating black holes and pulsars. Originally published in 1978 and first published by Cambridge as this revised edition in 1985, is the story of supernovae. It captures the flavour of ancient astronomy and lays out the accidents, coincidences, false leads and flashes of inspiration that followed as astronomers grasped the implications behind the rare appearance of supernovae. Two supernovae, seen in 1572 and 1604, made scientists aware that the stars changed and could be studied like everything else. Eventually, modern astronomers came to link supernovae with black holes, pulsars, and even with the creation of the chemical elements. The whole entertaining story is told clearly, in non-technical language, showing the triumph of human imagination as we discovered our place in the universe.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/052130038X/?tag=2022091-20
("A brilliant account of the latest research in astrophysi...)
"A brilliant account of the latest research in astrophysics, not only the book of the year, but probably also the book of the decade".--Patrick Moore.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/052125714X/?tag=2022091-20
Murdin, Paul Geoffrey was born on May 1, 1942 in Croydon, Surrey, United Kingdom. Son of Robert and Ethel Murdin.
Bachelor of Science, University Oxford, 1963. Doctor of Philosophy, University Rochester, 1970.
Astronomer, Royal Greenwich Observatory, Sussex, 1971-1975, 79-81; head of La Palma operations, Royal Greenwich Observatory, Canary Islands, 1981-1987; head of astrophysics, Royal Greenwich Observatory, Cambridge, 1987-1991; director, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, 1991-1993; principal scientist, Anglo Australian Observatory, Sydney, Australia, 1975-1978; head of astronomy, Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, United Kingdom, since 1994. Trustee National Maritime Museum, London, since 1990. Director science British National SpaceCtr., London, since 1994.
("A brilliant account of the latest research in astrophysi...)
("A survey of the most familiar and extraordinary objects ...)
(Supernovae are gigantic stellar explosions. The effects o...)
Fellow Royan Astronomical Society, Institute Physics. Member European Astronomical Society (president since 1993).
Married Lesley Carol Milburn, August 8, 1964. Children: Benedict, Alexander, Louisa.