This excellent book about the astronomers who use the Big Eye—the
five-metre telescope on Mount Palomar in California—was first published in
1991. Not since Fred Hoyle’s novel, The Black Cloud, has there been a better
account of what it is like to be an astronomer peering through one of the finest
astronomical instruments in the world. Richard Preston’s First Light is
published by Corgi, £6.99/$24, ISBN 0552997846.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

Life
Extinct relative of koalas discovered in Western Australia
News

Physics
The 50-year quest to create a quantum spin liquid may finally be over
Features

Technology
Backlash builds over NHS plan to hide source code from AI hacking risk
News

ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
Hantavirus: Where has the deadly cruise ship outbreak come from?
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Man destined to get Alzheimer’s saved by accidental heat therapy
2
Woman in cancer remission without treatment in highly unusual case
3
A lost ancient script reveals how writing as we know it really began
4
We have figured out a new way to send messages into the past
5
Quantum computers simulated their biggest molecule yet – with help
6
Honey has been used as medicine for centuries – does it really work?
7
Specific cognitive training has 'astonishing' effect on dementia risk
8
The 4 biggest myths about hydration, according to an expert
9
Hantavirus: Where has the deadly cruise ship outbreak come from?
10
The 50-year quest to create a quantum spin liquid may finally be over