Overview

The Ghost in the Telescope is an insider’s account of the Herschel Space Observatory, which was launched to answer two of the biggest questions in astronomy: How were the stars and galaxies born? Written in an engaging manner for a general audience, this book tells the stories of the telescope itself, the discoveries it made, and the engineers and astronomers who built and used it. This book, based on the author’s own experience and interviews with the key astronomers and engineers, tells the story of the mission, from its original concept on a piece of paper in Venice to the moment after the end of the mission when the engineers had to decide whether to crash the spacecraft into the Moon. Containing some of the most spectacular pictures ever taken of the universe, this book describes all the major discoveries made with the telescope. It also gives an account, accessible to anyone without previous scientific knowledge, of the latest research into the births of stars and galaxies. This book may interest anyone who is curious about astronomy, space missions, and how astronomy is done in practice. It is designed to be easy to read and does not require any previous scientific background.

Full Product Details

9781032043821

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Stephen Eales’s The Ghost in the Telescope is a superbly accessible but deeply informative journey into the life of ESA’s Herschel Space Observatory. With a narrative rooted in his direct involvement, Eales invites readers behind the scenes, from the first conceptual scribbles in Venice to the emotionally charged post-mission decision of whether or not to dispose of the spacecraft by crashing it into the Moon. Containing enough images to bring the text to life, this 256-page volume masterfully reminds us how much of the universe is hidden from our traditional ‘visible’ gaze. Eales deftly navigates complex scientific terrain such as star formation, nascent galaxies, and interstellar chemistry without leaving the readers behind and weaves his own story and memories into the narrative to breathe some more personal life into the book. Particularly striking is how the book captures the emotional arc of a space mission – its inception, triumphs, and poignant conclusion. From design decisions and ‘whiteboard memories’ to the final fade-out when Herschel’s cryogen coolant ran dry, Eales conveys the passion, ingenuity, and fragility that define cutting-edge space astronomy. It’s a fascinating read because it portrays not just the results of modern-day astronomical research, but also the human endeavour required to make it happen.' - Astronomy Now Magazine, October 2025.

Author Information

Stephen Eales spends his time trying to understand the births and life cycles of galaxies, using telescopes all over the world and in space. He is the author of over 300 peer-reviewed papers and, in 2016, he was awarded the Herschel Medal by the Royal Astronomical Society for his contributions to observational astrophysics.

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