Geodesy (the measurement of the size and shape of the earth),
fascinating since the time of Erathosenes, became a basic science
for the space program. Irene Fischer was a leader in the
construction of the World Geodetic System (has an Earth reference
ellipsoid named in her honor) when it was still being done by
surveyors, piecing together terrestrial, gravitational and
astronomical data. By the 1970s, satellite geodesy and marine
geodesy were just coming into their own. Using her career, Fischer
revels in explaining how the science unfolded, and how
misunderstandings occur across scientific fields, eg, why the
standard ocean and the geoid do not easily translate across the
fields of oceanography and geodesy. Her account should appeal to
those writing the history of women in science. Government science,
too, is less well studied than academic science even though some
fields, such as geodesy, were always government led. Fischer
provides food for thought, as well, to those who claim to study the
management of science in bureaucratic settings different from those
of industry or academia. such as why Columbus' used a figure for
the size of the earth's circumference that was so much smaller than
Erastothenes' or Posidonius' (with the added benefit of making it
easier to persuade his patrons).
General
| Imprint: |
Iuniverse, Inc.
|
| Country of origin: |
United States |
| Release date: |
September 2005 |
| First published: |
September 2005 |
| Authors: |
Irene K. Fischer
|
| Dimensions: |
225 x 152 x 26mm (L x W x T) |
| Format: |
Paperback - Trade
|
| Pages: |
400 |
| ISBN-13: |
978-0-595-36399-5 |
| Categories: |
Books >
Science & Mathematics >
Science: general issues >
General
|
| LSN: |
0-595-36399-7 |
| Barcode: |
9780595363995 |
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