Unravelling Starlight
William and Margaret Huggins and the Rise of the New Astronomy

An engaging re-examination of William Huggins' life and career; it will appeal to anyone interested in the history of astronomy.

Barbara J. Becker (Author)

9781316644171, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 March 2017

402 pages, 45 b/w illus.
24.5 x 17 x 2.3 cm, 0.69 kg

'Six years after the publication of the original hardcopy version of Unravelling Starlight … Cambridge University Press has produced a paperback edition, thereby bringing this important volume within the price-range of all astronomers. And by 'all astronomers' I include amateurs, for William Huggins was surely one of the world's foremost nineteenth century amateur astronomers. … One of the strengths of this book is the space assigned to Huggins' involvement in astropolitics. Barbara Becker also skilfully presents the deteriorating relationships between Huggins and Norman Lockyer and Huggins and Dr Henry Draper, and the growing friendship between Huggins and George Ellery Hale. She also reveals the critical part played by Margaret Huggins (née Murray) in her husband's research, and in continuing to actively promote his public persona after his death in 1910. … Barbara has an appealing style of writing, and consequently Unravelling Starlight … is an entertaining and easy read.' Wayne Orchiston, Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage

Challenging traditional accounts of the origins of astrophysics, this book presents the first scholarly biography of nineteenth-century English amateur astronomer William Huggins (1824–1910). A pioneer in adapting the spectroscope to new astronomical purposes, William Huggins rose to scientific prominence in London and transformed professional astronomy to become a principal founder of the new science of astrophysics. The author re-examines his life and career, exploring unpublished notebooks, correspondence and research projects to expose the boldness of this scientific entrepreneur. While Sir William Huggins is the main focus of the book, the involvement of Lady Margaret Lindsay Huggins (1848–1915) in her husband's research is examined, where it may have been previously overlooked or obscured. Written in an engaging style, this book has broad appeal and will be valuable to scientists, students and anyone interested in the history of astronomy.

1. Introduction
2. '… the astronomer … must come to the chemist'
3. The young observer
4. 'A sudden impulse …'
5. The riddle of the nebulae
6. Moving in the inner circle
7. Stellar motion along the line of sight
8. A new telescope
9. Solar observatories
10. An able assistant
11. Photographing the solar corona
12. A scientific lady
13. Foes and allies
14. The new astronomy
15. 'One true mistress'
16. Conclusion
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: Cosmology & the universe [PGK], Astronomy, space & time [PG], History of science [PDX]