Irwin Shapiro Encyclopedia Article

Irwin Shapiro

The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.

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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

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Irwin Shapiro

1929-

American astronomer who discovered the first apparent "superluminal" sources, using very long baseline interferometry. Superluminal jets appear to be moving faster than the speed of light because they are pointed almost directly at or away from the Earth, causing the illusion of having a velocity that is impossible to achieve. This discovery was the first indication that events can take place in the universe that would create such long-lived and fast-moving beams. Superluminal jets have been noted in a number of quasars and other active galaxies as well as in a few very active star systems.