Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Notes on Usage
- 1 The Nineteenth Century's Last Five Years
- Part I The Import of Theoretical Tools
- Part II A National Plan Shaping the Universe We Perceive
- 7 A New Order and the New Universe It Produced
- 8 Where Did the Chemical Elements Arise?
- 9 Landscapes
- 10 The Evolution of Astrophysical Theory after 1960
- 11 Turmoils of Leadership
- 12 Cascades and Shocks that Shape Astrophysics
- 13 Astrophysical Discourse and Persuasion
- Part III The Cost of Discerning the True Universe
- Epilogue
- Appendix: Symbols, Glossary, Units and Their Ranges
- Index
- References
11 - Turmoils of Leadership
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2013
Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Notes on Usage
- 1 The Nineteenth Century's Last Five Years
- Part I The Import of Theoretical Tools
- Part II A National Plan Shaping the Universe We Perceive
- 7 A New Order and the New Universe It Produced
- 8 Where Did the Chemical Elements Arise?
- 9 Landscapes
- 10 The Evolution of Astrophysical Theory after 1960
- 11 Turmoils of Leadership
- 12 Cascades and Shocks that Shape Astrophysics
- 13 Astrophysical Discourse and Persuasion
- Part III The Cost of Discerning the True Universe
- Epilogue
- Appendix: Symbols, Glossary, Units and Their Ranges
- Index
- References
Summary
In Chapters 7 and 9 we saw how strongly the conclusions we reach about the structure of the Universe can be shaped by intrusions that have no formal role in the philosophy of science. Technological innovations, governmental priorities, economic factors, as well as scientific advisory and oversight boards all play a role in the shaping of astronomy. Astrophysics is continually under pressure from forces pulling in different directions, destabilizing ongoing efforts, and keeping the field off balance.
How astrophysics nevertheless manages to advance is difficult to grasp in the abstract. The present chapter attempts to sketch realistically how modern astronomy is conducted and the vital role a well-coordinated communal approach can play as long as it remains sufficiently flexible to recover from inevitable setbacks. As we shall see, steadfast leadership is the essential ingredient of ultimate success.
A Logical Way to Proceed
By the mid-1970s, it was easy to see how the influx of new detection techniques introduced by the military in World War II and the Cold War had led to undreamed-of discoveries. Earlier theories had given us no inkling to expect the existence of quasars, pulsars, or the detection of cosmic masers, all initially revealed by radio astronomy. Similarly significant discoveries were being made in the gamma-ray, X-ray, and infrared regimes.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- In Search of the True UniverseThe Tools, Shaping, and Cost of Cosmological Thought, pp. 230 - 255Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2013
References
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35. Ibid., “Enclosure” attached to letter from Harwit to Field, dated January 7, 1986.
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41. Ibid., p. 4.
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43. Ibid., Minutes of the August 15,1986 AMOWG meeting, p. 3.
44. http://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/04/us/president-scales-back-plans-for-space-station-over-costs.html
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48. Astrophysics Council Membership 1985–1986 (revised 3/6/85).
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51. Letter from Claude Canizares to Martin Harwit, December 12, 1985.
52. Ibid., Minutes of the Astrophysics Management Operations Working Group April 17, 1986, p. 2.
53. Letter from George Field to Dr. William Graham, 31 December, 1986.
54. Minutes of the AMOWG Meeting of February 24, 1987, p. 2.
55. Handwritten letter from Martin to George, dated March 1, 1987, final paragraph.
56. Ibid., Minutes of the August 15,1986 Meeting of the AMOWG, p. 6.
57. Letter from Martin Harwit to Roger Bonnet, August 22, 1986.
58. Letter from Martin Harwit to Roger Bonnet, November 26, 1986.
59. Letter from R. M. Bonnet to Martin Harwit, December 11, 1986.
60. Ibid., Minutes of the AMOWG Meeting of February 24,1987, p. 4.
61. Minutes of the June 23, 1987 AMOWG meeting, p. 3.
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63. Conversation of Charles J. Pellerin with Martin Harwit, at Pellerin's home, Boulder, CO, May 26, 2008.
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65. Letter from James W. Head III and Martin Harwit to Charles Pellerin and Geoffrey Briggs, July 24, 1987.
66. Ibid., Minutes of the AMOWG Meeting of June 23, 1987, p. 4.
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