The Top Ten Astronomical 'breakthroughs' of the 20th century
Astronomy was revolutionized in the 20th century. The electron was discovered in 1897 and this transformed spectroscopy and introduced plasma and magnetohydrodynamic physics and astro-chemistry. Einstein’s E = mc2, solved the problem of stellar energy generation and spawned the study of elemental nu...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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International Astronomical Union
2007-10-01
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| Series: | Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.capjournal.org/issues/01/01_11.php |
| _version_ | 1819059433482747904 |
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| author | Hughes, D. W. de Grijs, Richard |
| author_facet | Hughes, D. W. de Grijs, Richard |
| author_sort | Hughes, D. W. |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Astronomy was revolutionized in the 20th century. The electron was discovered in 1897 and this transformed spectroscopy and introduced plasma and magnetohydrodynamic physics and astro-chemistry. Einstein’s E = mc2, solved the problem of stellar energy generation and spawned the study of elemental nuclear synthesis. Large telescopes led to a boom in astronomical spectroscopic and photometric data collection, leading to such cornerstones as the Hertzprung-Russell diagram and the mass-luminosity relationship, and to the realization that the Universe contained a multitude of galaxies and was expanding. Radio astronomy was introduced and the advent of the space age saw the astronomical wavelength range expand into the ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma-ray regions, as well as the infrared and millimetre. We also startedwandering around roaming the Solar System instead of merely glimpsing its members from the bottom of our warm, turbulent atmosphere. Astronomical “breakthroughs” abounded. We have asked astronomers to select their “top ten” and these are listed and discussed in this paper. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T14:11:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7994cedf36e04886ac6927b0a418c586 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-5621 1996-563X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T14:11:01Z |
| publishDate | 2007-10-01 |
| publisher | International Astronomical Union |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-7994cedf36e04886ac6927b0a418c5862022-12-21T19:01:03ZengInternational Astronomical UnionCommunicating Astronomy with the Public Journal1996-56211996-563X2007-10-01011117The Top Ten Astronomical 'breakthroughs' of the 20th centuryHughes, D. W.de Grijs, RichardAstronomy was revolutionized in the 20th century. The electron was discovered in 1897 and this transformed spectroscopy and introduced plasma and magnetohydrodynamic physics and astro-chemistry. Einstein’s E = mc2, solved the problem of stellar energy generation and spawned the study of elemental nuclear synthesis. Large telescopes led to a boom in astronomical spectroscopic and photometric data collection, leading to such cornerstones as the Hertzprung-Russell diagram and the mass-luminosity relationship, and to the realization that the Universe contained a multitude of galaxies and was expanding. Radio astronomy was introduced and the advent of the space age saw the astronomical wavelength range expand into the ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma-ray regions, as well as the infrared and millimetre. We also startedwandering around roaming the Solar System instead of merely glimpsing its members from the bottom of our warm, turbulent atmosphere. Astronomical “breakthroughs” abounded. We have asked astronomers to select their “top ten” and these are listed and discussed in this paper.http://www.capjournal.org/issues/01/01_11.phpBreakthroughsResearch20th Century astronomyAdvancement |
| spellingShingle | Hughes, D. W. de Grijs, Richard The Top Ten Astronomical 'breakthroughs' of the 20th century Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal Breakthroughs Research 20th Century astronomy Advancement |
| title | The Top Ten Astronomical 'breakthroughs' of the 20th century |
| title_full | The Top Ten Astronomical 'breakthroughs' of the 20th century |
| title_fullStr | The Top Ten Astronomical 'breakthroughs' of the 20th century |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Top Ten Astronomical 'breakthroughs' of the 20th century |
| title_short | The Top Ten Astronomical 'breakthroughs' of the 20th century |
| title_sort | top ten astronomical breakthroughs of the 20th century |
| topic | Breakthroughs Research 20th Century astronomy Advancement |
| url | http://www.capjournal.org/issues/01/01_11.php |
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