The Perfect Machine: Building the Palomar Telescope

Almost a half-century after is completion, the 200-inch Palomar telescope remains an unparalleled combination of vast scale and microscope detail. As huge as the Patheon of Rome and as heavy as the Statue of Liberty, this magnificent instrument is so precisely built that its seventeen-foot mirror was hand-polished to a tolerance of 2/1,000,000 of an inch. The telescope's construction drove some to the brink of madness, made others fearful that mortals might glimpse heaven, and transfixed an entire nation. Ronald Florence weaves into his account of the creation of "the prefect machine" a stirring chronicle of ht birth of Big Science and a poignant rendering of an America mired in the depression yet reaching for the stars. more

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ProductReviews96/100 (16 Reviews)

Recent Reviews

3/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Feb-27-2009; Needs more drawings; The book is well researched and documented.I found the writing captivating only in some parts, while other parts were a bit dry.Overall a good book that in my opinion has 2 flaws:- The explanation of the working of the telescope and its...; read full review | report as inappropriate

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Feb-20-2009; The angels are in the details; This book is a comprehensive treatment of the course of events that led up to the building of the two hundred inch telescope on Mt. Palomar. It is very lengthy, well documented and from what I can tell, exceptionally accurate. It details...; read full review | report as inappropriate

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Jan-11-2009; A Definitive "Biography" of Palomar Observatory; Those fortunate enough to have visited or worked at Palomar Observatory are well aware of the grandeur of this structure and enterprise. When I first visited, I was struck by the temple-like beauty of this structure, a stunning white...; read full review | report as inappropriate

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Dec-08-2008; Perfect book; Probably one of the best books I have ever read. Written with just enough detail to be incredibly interesting, but not enough so your eyes glaze over. An absolute must read if you are intrigued by great acomplishments designed by man and...; read full review | report as inappropriate

Selected Reviews

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Feb-20-2009; The angels are in the details; This book is a comprehensive treatment of the course of events that led up to the building of the two hundred inch telescope on Mt. Palomar. It is very lengthy, well documented and from what I can tell, exceptionally accurate. It details...; read full review | report as inappropriate

3/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Feb-27-2009; Needs more drawings; The book is well researched and documented.I found the writing captivating only in some parts, while other parts were a bit dry.Overall a good book that in my opinion has 2 flaws:- The explanation of the working of the telescope and its...; read full review | report as inappropriate