{"product_id":"9781402014246","title":"Astrophysics and Space Science Library: [quicquid nitet notandum]","description":"\u003ch1\u003eAstrophysics and Space Science Library: [quicquid nitet notandum]\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003ch2\u003eMcKenna-Lawlor, Susan M.P.\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt is good to mark the new Millennium by looking back as well  as forward. \u003cem\u003eWhatever Shines Should Be Observed\u003c\/em\u003e looks to the  nineteenth century to celebrate the achievements of five distinguished  women, four of whom were born in Ireland while the fifth married into  an Irish family, who made pioneering contributions to photography,  microscopy, astronomy and astrophysics. \u003cbr\u003e  The women featured came from either aristocratic or professional  families. Thus, at first sight, they had many material advantages  among their peers. In the ranks of the aristocracy there was often a  great passion for learning, and the mansions in which these families  lived contained libraries, technical equipment (microscopes and  telescopes) and collections from the world of nature. More modest  professional households of the time were rich in books, while  activities such as observing the stars, collecting plants etc.  typically formed an integral part of the children's education. \u003cbr\u003e  To balance this it was the prevailing philosophy that boys could  learn, in addition to basic subjects, mathematics, mechanics, physics,  chemistry and classical languages, while girls were channelled into  'polite' subjects like music and needlework. This arrangement allowed  boys to progress to University should they so wish, where a range of  interesting career choices (including science and engineering) was  open to them. Girls, on the other hand, usually received their  education at home, often under the tutelage of a governess who would  not herself had had any serious contact with scientific or technical  subjects. In particular, progress to University was not during most of  the nineteenth century an option for women, and access to scientific  libraries and institutions was also prohibited. \u003cbr\u003e  Although those women with aristocratic and professional backgrounds  were in a materially privileged position and had an opportunity to  'see' through the activities of their male friends and relatives how  professional scientific life was lived, to progress from their places  in society to the professions required very special determination.  Firstly, they had to individually acquire scientific and technical  knowledge, as well as necessary laboratory methodology, without the  advantage of formal training. Then, it was necessary to carve out a  niche in a particular field, despite the special difficulties  attending the publication of scientific books or articles by a woman.  There was no easy road to science, or even any well worn track. To  achieve recognition was a pioneering activity without discernible  ground rules. \u003cbr\u003e  With the hindsight of history, we recognise that the heroic efforts  which the women featured in this volume made to overcome the social  constraints that held them back from learning about, and participating  in, scientific and technical subjects, had a consequence on a much  broader canvas. In addition to what they each achieved professionally  they contributed within society to a gradual erosion of those barriers  raised against the participation of women in academic life, thereby  assisting in allowing University places and professional opportunities  to gradually become generally available. It is a privilege to salute  and thank the wonderful women of the nineteenth century herein  described for what they have contributed to the women of today.  William Herschel's famous motto \u003cem\u003equicquid nitet notandum\u003c\/em\u003e  (whatever shines should be observed) applies in a particular way to  the luminous quality of their individual lives, and those of us who  presently observe their shining, as well as those who now wait in the  wings of the coming centuries to emerge upon the scene, can each see a  little further by their light.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003ePublished by: Springer\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePublication Date: 2003-09-30\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFormat: Hardcover\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eISBN-13: 9781402014246\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDOI: 10.1007\/978-94-017-0351-2\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDimensions: 235cm x155cm\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePages: 158\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Springer Netherlands","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47661316341900,"sku":"9781402014246","price":98.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/9781402014246.jpg?v=1776427781","url":"https:\/\/lateknightbooks.com\/products\/9781402014246","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}