Dava Sobel's new book, "The Glass Universe," delves into the history of groundbreaking astronomy research at the Harvard College Observatory and the women whose meticulous measurements and calculations made it happen. Tune in Monday (Jan. 23) on Facebook Live to ask questions and for a chance to win a copy.
The story follows the Harvard College Observatory's pioneering work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to determine the brightness and composition of individual stars, which was done with the help of a half-million glass plates that documented the night sky over the course of 100 years. Crucial to the work were several women "computers" and astronomers who calculated the stars' locations, brightness and spectra, tracking them through time to spot changes and classifying them in newly minted categories.
Sobel spoke with Space.com about her book in December, and now readers will have a chance to ask their own questions and learn more about the evolution of astronomy and the process of documenting this unique time in history. The first two to answer a trivia question will also get signed copies of "The Glass Universe." Sobel's previous books include "Longitude," "The Planets" and "Galileo's Daughter."
SPACE.COM BOOK GIVEAWAY: "The Glass Universe" by Dava Sobel
Official Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of 50 U.S & DC, 18 or older. Employees, agents, officers & directors of Purch Group, Inc. ("Sponsor"), its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates & advertising & promotion agencies (collectively with Facebook, Inc., "Released Parties") & members of their immediate family (spouse, parent, children, siblings & their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) & persons living in the same household, whether or not related, are not eligible. Void where prohibited. Subject to all applicable federal, state & local laws. HOW TO ENTER: Beginning at 3:00 PM ET on January 23, 2017 ("Event"), visit the Space.com page on Facebook ("Event Page"), watch the live stream video interview of author, Dava Sobel and answer via a comment the question posed to the audience that is identified as the "Giveaway Question". If, for whatever reason, the Event is cancelled or postponed, this giveaway will not occur. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or by any means which subvert the entry process are void. Limit one (1) entry per person/Facebook ID. Multiple entries will be void. Entries become the sole property of Sponsor. Entry must not be offensive or inappropriate, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entry and remove any comment that it determines, in its sole discretion, is not in compliance with these Official Rules or is otherwise not in keeping with Sponsor's image. WINNER DETERMINATION: The first two eligible individuals to comment with the correct answer to the question posed, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, will be deemed potential winners. If, by the end of the Event, no eligible answers are provided, the prize will not be awarded. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received and timing of response. 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Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
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