A Sky Wonderful with Stars: 50 Years of Modern Astronomy on Maunakea

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"A Sky Wonderful with Stars": 50 Years of Modern Astronomy on Maunakea tells the fascinating story of how a remote mountaintop in the middle of the Pacific Ocean became home to the most powerful collection of telescopes in the world. It is a tale of triumphs, failures, and the indomitable human spirit of exploration. Over 160 superb photographs accompanied by astronomer Michael J. West’s engaging commentary bring the past and present to life and showcase the many remarkable discoveries made by the observatories atop Maunakea.

Breathtaking photo-essays throughout the book reveal
- Maunakea’s spectacular landscape and the unique geographical conditions that make it the world’s premier site for astronomical exploration;
- the construction and development of the Maunakea observatories;
- highlights of scientific discoveries made with each of the thirteen telescopes;
- the faces and places that make up Maunakea’s diverse astronomical community; and
- a look toward the future of astronomy on Maunakea, including the planned Thirty Meter Telescope.

This visually stunning book shares with a larger audience the wondrous views of the heavens that the observatories provide. It will appeal not only to those with an interest in astronomy, but to anyone who marvels at the grand splendor of our universe.

Author: Michael J. West
Series: Latitude 20
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Latitude 20 (July 31, 2015)
University of Hawaii Press
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0824852680
ISBN-13: 978-0824852689
Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 0.7 x 10.8 inches

About the Author: DR. MICHEAL WEST
Astronomer and Deputy Director for Science at Lowell Observatory

PhD, 1987, Yale University

As Deputy Director for Science, Dr. Michael West is responsible for a number of tasks relating to the observatory’s scientific and outreach missions. Prior to joining Lowell, he served as Director of the Maria Mitchell Observatory, Head of Science in Chile for the European Southern Observatory, Head of Science Operations at Gemini South, and a tenured Professor of Astronomy at the University of Hawaii.

West’s research interests include star clusters, galaxy formation and evolution, clusters of galaxies, and the large-scale structure of the universe. He has been Principal Investigator for six Hubble Space Telescope projects to date, and has been awarded time on other major telescopes around the world.

West is also active in astronomy education and outreach. He served as chief astronomy advisor for the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, a $28 million NASA-funded center that weaves together astronomy and Hawaiian culture into a compelling story of human exploration. His writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today and other publications. He is also the author of two books, most recently A Sky Wonderful with Stars: 50 Years of Modern Astronomy on Maunakea (2015, University of Hawaii Press).

Dr. West also writes our popular AstroAlerts emails, which feature a wide variety of topical highlights from the astronomy world. To sign up for AstroAlerts, visit: https://lowell.edu/astroalerts/