Sunquakes: Probing the Interior of the Sun

by J.B. Zirker

One of the newest branches of astronomy, helioseismology - like its terrestrial counterpart - studies why the surface of the sun vibrates like a bell. Since the 1970s, astronomers have gained... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080187419X
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.9" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Detective Story of the Sun

"Sunquakes" is a very well-written and interesting book, that I, as a lay-person with respect to astronomy, had no trouble understanding. I hadn't realized just how much information can be extracted essentially from vibrations that bounce around in different materials. I was glad, however, that I had read the previous book, "Journey from the Center of the Sun", so that I was up on the different layers in the Sun. However, even more interesting than the actual science, was the detective story as one scientist would see some strange anomaly and not be sure whether it was just a fluke or really a clue to a completely new phenomenon. In particular, the dance between observers and theorists showed how real science is done: one person would see something but not understand what caused it. Then a theorist would create models and postulate some explanation. Observers would then try to invent ways to prove or disprove these explanations. In fact, I hope there is a sequel or update over time: some loose ends to this detective story are still dangling.