First Light-The Search For the Edge of the Universe.

In Richard Preston's novel, "First Light- The Search For the Edge of the Universe,"(1987), Richard Preston claims that First Light is classified as a moment in history when stars and galaxies are first formed out of a dark universe and it revolves around astronauts who are searching for light in the end of the universe using the Hales telescope. Preston supports his claims by using facts and staisctics through astronomical mesaurements and reaserch data that the scientists use to prove their theories, Preston describes that the astronomers Jim Gunn, Maarten Schmidt(team leader), Donald Schneider(assistant) Barbara Zimmerman are deeply involved in the astronominical research at Polamar Observatory for the "First Light" by using imagery, and he describes history of the First Light by using technical details, and to conclude he describes that the discoveries of Quasars are to be evidently reaserched by the astronomers by using listings(dashes/hyphens) and definition. Prestron's purpose is to prove to readers that there is such existence in the galaxies and universe to be uncovered. Preston seems to have an audience prone to intellectual curiousity or perhaps a nerdy audience, his tone is informative.

• spectrum- an ordered array of the components of an emission or wave.
• spectroscopy- is the use of light, sound or particle emission to study of matter.
• quasars-is a very energetic and distant active galactic nucleus.

Tone: philosophical,informative,straight-forward.

1. Statistics: Light moves at a speed of 186,282 miles per second through space-a snail's pace by the measure of cosmic distance.(24)
2. Definition: Spectroscopy-the division of light into its component wavelengths.(23)
3. Listings(dashes/hyphens/commas)-Quasars disgorge opulent, multitdinous colors all at once-gamma rays, X rays, ultraviolets, blues, greens, yellows, reds, infrareds, microwaves,and, in the case of some quasers, radio waves, all of which are forms of light at different wavelengths.(24)
4. Personification: The sky could also be imagined as a book, bound into chapters that tell a story.(25)
5. Imagery: The quasars are brilliant pinpoints of light that seem to surround the earth on all sides, shining out of deep time.(25)

• Why does Richard empahsize on the "Quasars" as being the first of all lights?
• In what structure does Preston use the dashes in his sentences?
• Once you get to the edge of how far the universe has expanded, what does the border look like? What is on the other side of that border?

Quotation: "The Milky Way lay in mist along the eastern ridge of Palomar Mountain."