The Universal Timekeeper: Reconstructing History Atom by Atom
David Helfand has been a Professor of Astronomy at Columbia University for 47 years, where he served as chair of the Department for two decades. He is also the former President of the American Astronomical Society and of Quest University Canada, and currently serves as Chair of the American Institute of Physics. Professor Helfand has received the Columbia Presidential Teaching Award and the Great Teacher Award from the Society of Columbia Graduates. He is the author of A Survival Guide to the Misinformation Age and, recently The Universal Timekeepers: Reconstructing History Atom by Atom.
Overview
By utilizing the basic building blocks of matter as imperturbable little clocks, we are now able to reconstruct in quantitative detail a remarkable range of human and natural events. From the discovery of art forgeries and the dating of prehistoric archeological drawings, to a detailed history of human diet and the Earth’s climate, to the events surrounding the death of the dinosaurs, the origin of the Solar System, and the history of the Universe itself, the universal timekeepers provide us with a precise chronology from the beginning of time to the moment humans emerge to contemplate such questions.
David Helfand takes a most complicated subject and conveys what is understood about the age of the universe, earth, and human time on earth,
in the most interesting, entertaining, and knowledgeful way. Three cheers for
Professor Helfand. My awareness of my place in the universe is forever changed.