The Grand and Bold Thing: An Extraordinary New Map of the Universe Ushering in a New Era of Discovery

With this accessible and insightful book, science journalist Finkbeiner reveals the story behind today's most exciting astronomical research program: the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, a massive technological undertaking whose results have allowed everyone, from astronomers to high school students, to create and work with "the most complete map of the universe ever." The SDSS began with astronomer Jim Gunn. Disillusioned by his work in the early days of the troubleplagued Hubble Space Telescope, Gunn dreamed of a "million-galaxy survey" that would be done "simply and cheaply, without bureaucratic delays." Along the route from ideal to reality, Gunn and the rest of the "Sloanies" encountered many obstacles, from obtaining funding and technical troubles to personality conflicts and the hassle of organizing groups at multiple universities and labs. By the time the survey began in 1998, the data—trillions of bytes—poured in, all available now via public Web sites like Google Sky and WikiSky. Finkbeiner (The Jasons) adroitly captures the major personalities as well as the science that drew them together. This delightful book reveals just how much SDSS has changed how astronomers work, and how they—and we—see the universe. (Aug.)