New Web Exhibit Explores the History of Cosmology

January 23, 2007--A new website tells with unprecedented depth, accuracy and excitement how scientists have explored the structure of the universe. "Cosmic Journey: A History of Scientific Cosmology" comes from the award-winning educators and historians at the Center for History of Physics of the American Institute of Physics. With more than 35,000 words and 380 striking illustrations, this is by far the most complete web exhibit of its kind, according to Spencer Weart, director of AIP's Center for the History of Physics.

Here is one of humanity's grandest stories of discovery: an epic of the labors of many lives, with a gradually dawning understanding of how vast and strange a place we inhabit.Visitors can explore pages on topics ranging from ancient Greek philosophers to the peculiar giant telescopes of the eighteenth century to recent discoveries about "dark matter."

The exhibit ingeniously exploits the potential of web hypertext by mirroring the structure of science itself. The pages are arranged in two parallel columns, "Ideas of Cosmology" and "Tools of Cosmology." Readers could choose "Ideas" first, going down the sequence of those pages, from the musings of Plato to current theories of the Big Bang. Or they could follow the "Tools" sequence from primitive navigational instruments to extraordinary astronomical satellites. Readers who like to explore independently can follow links back and forth to discover how advances in telescope engineering led to better theories and how advances in theory spurred the development of new instruments. Or they can step aside for vignettes on topics like "Women in Astronomy," "How Old is the Universe?" or "Computer Models."

The exhibit also has many side-pages on the tenacious, proud and often surprising scientists themselves. The topics are illustrated with charming old drawings, modern photographs and explanatory diagrams and animations. There is even a sound clip from a concerto composed by a great astronomer who began his career as a court musician.

The "Ideas" section was written by Norriss Hetherington and the "Tools" section by Patrick McCray, each a leading historian in his subject. Other experts meticulously reviewed the exhibit for accuracy. The editing and layout were supervised by Spencer Weart, who has produced a dozen other history of science exhibits on the website of the Center for History of Physics. This website draws more than ten million visitors a year, ranging from schoolchildren to retirees, from almost every country in the world. A text-only version for the sight-impaired is in preparation. Students, teachers and anyone interested in how we learned about our universe should visit "Cosmic Journey" at http://www.aip.org/history/cosmology/

Contact:

Spencer Weart, Director
Center for the History of Physics
American Institute of Physics
Tel: 301-209-3174
sweart@aip.org