ALA Booklist (Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

A potentially crushing moment for aspiring astronomers might be when they learn that, in reality, most of these scientists' time is spent looking at a computer screen. Although this entry in the consistently top-notch Scientists in the Field series remains honest about less-than-glamorous aspects of the featured career, its enthusiastic approach will bring even disillusioned stargazers right back into the fold. Focusing on astronomer Alex Filippenko and his work at some of the world's most sophisticated astronomical facilities, the book illustrates his contagious excitement about his field. It also focuses on viscerally fascinating celestial subjects: supernovae, dark energy, and black holes. These are fairly complex matters, but Jackson's treatment makes them accessible through reasoned explanations and comparisons, helpful diagrams, and, of course, dazzling photographs of the universe's most awesome spectacles. Splitting its attention evenly between the scientist and his field, this handsomely designed volume displays the joys of being fascinated by one's work in a way that will encourage students to seek similar professional satisfaction for themselves.

Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Astronomer Alex Filippenko and his research team employ advanced telescopes in a search for supernovae they can use to explore the nature of black holes and dark energy. Jackson's careful and clear explanations of this cutting-edge science, and Bishop's impressive photographs of objects in the universe and the scientists searching for them, are characteristic of this series. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Kirkus Reviews

"Strange as it may seem, 96 percent of the universe seems to be made of two ingredients that no one understands." This shining addition to the Scientists in the Field series focuses on astronomer Alex Filippenko, part of a team researching dark energy and dark matter in the universe. Jackson's clear, logically organized text provides appropriate background, introducing Filippenko as teacher and researcher and following him as he uses the Keck Observatory in Hawaii to find a supernova. One chapter discusses current thinking about the big bang theory and the composition of the universe, and the book concludes with a description of the scientist's day-to-day work at the Lick Observatory in California. Bishop's photographs and illustrations bring readers into Filippenko's world, while NASA photographs add to their sense of wonder. Special sections explain spectrographs, the electromagnetic spectrum, black holes and the measurement of time and light. Thoughtful design adds to the pleasure of this splendid invitation to explore darker corners of the universe. (bibliography, student and teacher resources, clubs and organizations, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)

School Library Journal (Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

Gr 5-7 This entry in an exemplary series follows prominent astronomer Alex Filippenko and associates from the Keck Observatory in Hawaii to the Lick Observatory in California on a hunt for supernovae and related large-scale astronomical phenomena. Though portraying astronomers in action isn't easy-mostly they sit and stare at screens the charismatic Filippenko does his best, pouring sand through his fingers to hint at the numbers of stars in one of Bishop's bright color photos and dressing up as a Black Hole in another. Along with depicting the scientists, the images also include massive telescopes and photos or digital simulations of galaxies, exploding stars, and other astronomical phenomena. Gray mottled backgrounds give the blocks of text a smudged look, but that won't diminish the sense of adventure that readers will feel as they join a team of researchers on science's biggest frontier. Multimedia resource lists are appended. John Peters, New York Public Library