The awesome endeavours and intellectual adventures in the physical practice and gains in understanding that are the heart and passion of astronomers is gloriously portrayed from the mind of a wonderful practitioner, Emily Levesque.
Her range of experiences and insights through the recent period of rapid developments and future planning in this progressive human effort gloriously reach out to everyone.
-- Professor Alec Boksenberg, former director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory
The Last Stargazers is perfect for anyone who has ever wondered what its like to actually be an astronomer, or who has dreamt of staring up at the stars. Amidst the stories of mishaps and mistakes is a surprisingly romantic view of the glory of exploration, taken one dark night at a time.
-- Dr Chris Lintott, BBC
The Sky at NightIf youve ever wondered what astronomers dowhat theyreallydoand the human journey from the era of eyepieces to gigantic robotic cameras,The Last Stargazersputs you there with compelling honesty, following the scientists and students with hundred-ton telescopes as backdrop.
-- Erik Asphaug, author of
When the Earth Had Two MoonsThrough captivating stories, Levesque gives us both a vivid and accessible inside look at the enigmatic mountain-top astronomers. A unique and engaging read.
-- Dr Sara Seager, professor of astronomy at MIT
Emily Levesque is smart and funny, and her insiders tale of stars and the astronomers who study them bursts with color and energy.
-- Edward Dolnick, author of
The Clockwork UniverseEmilys book is a compulsive read. It demonstrates what being an observational astronomer is really likethe highs, the lows, and the unscheduled things that can happen at telescopes around the world! Give this book to every young person (especially the girls!) that you know who likes math and science.
-- Jocelyn Bell Burnell, astrophysicist at Oxford University
Astronomy isdangerous. Wild (sometimes venomous) animals, thin air, heavy equipment, hazardous chemicals Dr. Levesque captures all this with amusement and personal experience, making this a delightfulread for everyone.
-- Phil Plait, astronomer and author of
Bad AstronomyEmily Levesque depicts the adventurous life of professional hands-on astronomers, from the top of the Andes, Chile through the Arizona cliffs to Big Island, Hawaii, telling stories of the cosmic silence of an observing night. I have hugely enjoyed this book. It is engaging, humorous, full of quotes and stories of well-reputed colleagues. To be read, before all astronomical observations become fully automatized!
-- Professor Claudia Maraston, Eddington Medal for Astronomy 2018, University of Portsmouth
This will particularly appeal to young women interested in science, but any stargazer would enjoy this joyous adventure through modern astronomy.
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Publishers WeeklyIts like catching a glimpse of the magic behind the curtain galaxies away, and leaves you hanging on every spectacular word. A must read for anyone who has looked up at the sky and felt a sense of wonder, as well as those considering the world of astrophysics and astronomy.
-- Tamara Robertson, host of
Mythbusters: The Search and STEM speaker
The perfect primer for a future astronomer or an amateur astronomy buff, it captures the highlights, lowlights, and day-to-day life of the professional stargazer.
-- Zach Weinersmith, author of
Soonish and Open BordersChildhood stargazers whove since become inquisitive adults, and any fans of SagansCosmos, will devour this book.
-- Booklist
Entertaining, ardent tales from an era of stargazing that may not last much longer.
-- Kirkus Reviews
Levesque does a wonderful job explaining the science behind astronomy as she conveys the awe and beauty of the universe, the dedication of the people who study it, and the excitement of discovery in this fascinating account that will appeal to fans of narrative nonfiction and fellow stargazers.
-- Library Journal
Levesque writes with great energy, bringing the world of the astronomers to life this book does do what most astronomy books do not. It puts you in the world of practising astronomers and lets you imagine what a career as an observer would be like.
-- Physics Education
An insightful view of the daily (and often nightly) regime of the modern observational astronomer. The passion, adventure, challenge, humour and, yes, danger, in the pursuit of knowledge are palpably brought to lifea must-read for the uninitiated, the armchair stargazer, or anyone contemplating a career in astronomical research: a funny, romantic, intriguing real-life adventure.
-- Dr Alastair Gunn,
BBC Sky at Night[Levesque] sweeps the reader along with her in this very humorous and accessible book. As I was reading, I kept thinking of how many people I know who would love to read it.A perfect gift for anyone interested in astronomyFrom Galileo to gravitational waves, pulsars, or black holes,its compulsive reading, written in an easy, chatty style A beautiful book sharing her love of the wonders of the universe.
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Astronomy Ireland *
Astronomer Emily Levesque shares stories of modern-day stargazers in this fascinating new release, profiling people willing to traverse mountaintops and the most remote areas of the world, all in the name of science. Theres something for everyone in here, from the worlds most powerful telescopes to wild bears running loose in an observatoryrecommended for anyone who enjoys gazing upward at the night sky.
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Readers Digest