Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. William Herschel opens up the invisible universe; 3. 1800–1950: slow progress – the moon, planets, bright stars, and the discovery of interstellar dust; 4. Dying stars shrouded in dust and stars being born: the emergence of infrared astronomy in the 60s and 70s; 5. Birth of far infrared and submillimetre astronomy: clouds of dust and molecules in our Galaxy; 6. The cosmic microwave background, echo of the Big Bang; 7. The Infrared Astronomical Satellite and the opening up of extragalactic infrared astronomy: starbursts and active galactic nuclei; 8. The Cosmic Background Explorer and the ripples, the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Explorer, and dark energy; 9. Giant ground-based infrared and submillimetre telescopes; 10. The Infrared Space Observatory and the Spitzer Space Telescope: the star-formation history of the universe and infrared galaxy populations; 11. Our dusty Solar System, debris disks and the search for exoplanets; 12. The future: pioneering space missions and giant ground-based telescopes; Notes; Credits for illustrations; Further reading; Bibliography; Glossary; Index of names; Index.

Promotional Information

Michael Rowan-Robinson provides a comprehensive history of infrared astronomy in this accessible and well-illustrated guide.

About the Author

Michael Rowan-Robinson served as Head of Astrophysics at Imperial College, London, from 1993 to 2007 and as President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 2006 to 2008. He has received numerous awards for his work in infrared and submillimetre astronomy, including the first Institute of Physics Hoyle Medal in 2008. He worked on the IRAS, ISO, Spitzer, and Herschel missions and was involved in the pioneering submillimetre observations of the 1970s.

Reviews

'Night Vision is a fascinating and authoritative account of the dramatically different Universe revealed when we observe the sky at infrared and submillimeter wavelengths. In a very readable style, often conversational and punctuated with anecdotes, Rowan-Robinson traces the history of the subject, from its discovery right up to the present day and future plans. The book is enlivened with many well-chosen graphics and images of pioneering scientists. Extensive quotations from the scientific literature, as well as personal accounts of some major events in which the author has participated, give insight into the agonies and ecstasies of exploration at the boundaries of human knowledge. This volume will be valuable to a wide range of audiences ranging from the casual reader interested in science to students, research scientists and historians of science.' Michael G. Hauser, Astronomer Emeritus, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore

'An excellent introduction to infrared astronomy.' BBC Sky at Night

'Astronomer Rowan-Robinson is intimately acquainted with astronomical investigations done in the infrared (beyond visible) region of the spectrum, having made several important discoveries himself. Here, he reviews the history of infrared from its discovery by William Herschel in 1800, to the detection of infrared absorption by the Earth's atmosphere in the solar spectrum by John Herschel in 1840, and the detection of infrared radiation from the moon by Piazzi Smyth in 1856.' M. K. Hemenway, Choice

'Nicely illustrated and presented.' Astronomy Now

'The language is accurate and efficient without being excessively technical. … [the book] provides an approachable single source for anyone wishing to understand the major discoveries of infrared astronomy over the past few decades, and sets out the scientific rationale behind the next decade's major ground- and space-based observatories.' Alistair Glasse, The Observatory