Cosmic Messengers: The Limits of Astronomy in an Unruly Universe

About Martin Harwit

Martin Harwit is Professor Emeritus of Astronomy at Cornell University New York. For many years he also served as Director of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. For much of his astrophysical career he built instruments and made pioneering observations in infrared astronomy. His advanced textbook Astrophysical Concepts (1973) has taught several generations of astronomers through its four editions. Harwit has had an abiding interest in questions first raised in Cosmic Discovery on how science advances or is constrained by factors beyond the control of scientists. His subsequent book In Search of the True Universe (Cambridge 2014) explores how philosophical outlook historical precedents industrial progress economic factors and national priorities have affected our understanding of the cosmos. This new book rounds out his informal trilogy on the themes of cosmic discovery. Harwit is a recipient of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific's highest honor the Bruce Medal which commends 'his original ideas scholarship and thoughtful advocacy'.