Astronomical observation Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisBetween 1650 and 1750, four Catholic churches were the best solar observatories in the world. This book tells how these observatories came to be, how they worked, and what they accomplished, providing a magnificent corrective to long-standing oversimplified accounts of the hostility between science and religion.Trade Review[The] improbable tale [of an astrological instrument saving a church] is just one of the gems recovered by Heilbron in a book that lingers lovingly over these forgotten instruments. Once big science, now architectural curios not infrequently buried under flagstones and pews, gnomons (or meridian lines, as they are more properly called) lie at the luminous conjunction of mathematics, philosophy, architecture, astronomy and church politics. Dusted off in this idiosyncratic history of astronomy during the scientific revolution, they provide an occasion to revisit perennial questions about the relationship between science and religion, reason and faith...[Readers] will be surprised to discover what Heilbron shows: that the Catholic Church served as perhaps the largest patron of sophisticated astronomical research throughout the controversies over Copernicus and his sun-centered scheme. -- D. Graham Burnett * New York Times Book Review *Dr. Heilbron reveals the ubiquity of the solar observatories, which heretofore were little known among scholars. And he shows that the church was not necessarily seeking knowledge for knowledge's sake, a traditional aim of pure science. Rather, like many patrons, it wanted something practical in return for its investments: mainly the improvement of the calendar so church officials could more accurately establish the date of Easter. -- William J. Broad * New York Times *A book both elegant and learned, exploring the installation of vast (but often easily overlooked) astronomical instruments in major churches by authorities sometimes thought, wrongly, to have opposed astronomical research. * New York Times Book Review *In this elegant work, Heilbron recounts how in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the Roman Catholic Church fashioned several of its major cathedrals into precision instruments for studying the motions of the sun. The aim was to determine the time between vernal equinoxes, so that the dates for Easter could be forecast accurately...Heilbron, upending common views of the Church's relationship to science after it condemned Galileo, shows that Rome handsomely supported astronomical studies, accepting the Copernican hypothesis as a fiction convenient for calculation. * New Yorker *Heilbron's book tells of the struggle to determine dates more accurately, including a little-known aspect of the history of the calendar--the use of churches as giant sundials to make astronomical measurements. -- Kate Noble * Time *The historical perception of post-Renaissance Italian astronomy has become so over-charged with the Roman Catholic Church's condemnation of Galileo in 1633 that it is commonly assumed that no significant science took place south of the Alps until the 19th century. But, as John Heilbron's learned, elegant and finely phrased book reminds us, this was not the case...Though Heilbron supplies all the necessary geometry to demonstrate how the meridianae [(a solar measuring instrument)] were constructed and used within the great architectural masterpieces into which they were incorporated, his book is arranged and illustrated in such a way that non-mathematical persons can enjoy it. -- Allan Chapman * Times Higher Education Supplement *John Heilbron's book does tell a gripping story and with a splendid literary flair...By subtly inserting critical comments, the author evaluates the interactions of science in its gestation with the culture of those centuries and the repercussions that these interactions have has down to our own times. And so it becomes a story about people, and Heilbron tells it in a masterfully human way. -- George V. Coyne * Nature *In The Sun in the Church, historian John Heilbron argues convincingly that long-held interpretations [in astronomy] are too simplistic and must be revised...Heilbron tells an important story, one that is not so much neglected as unknown among historians of science. Even in histories of astronomy, there is usually only a passing reference to it. -- Albert Van Helden * Science *The spectacle of the image of the sun projected on meridian lines in several of the great Italian cathedrals is captured in the beautiful color plates highlighting this book...This excellent book explains the difficulties posed by the inconvenient lengths of the lunar month and solar year, and discusses how observations of the solar image crossing a precisely aligned mark could solve the problem...The book is well written. -- D. E. Hogg * Choice *Heilbron chronicles the ironic relationship between astronomy and the Catholic Church as it seeks the means to determine [the date for Easter]. This is the story of politically astute astronomers and cardinals who have to reconcile church doctrine with Galileo's universe...The text is filled with fine detail and is richly illustrated. An erudite and scholarly work. -- James Olson * Library Journal *J. L. Heilbron depicts the unusual intersection of architecture, science, ecclesiastical and civil history, mathematics and philosophy that led the church to construct the buildings only a few years after it martyred Galileo. Erudite, accessible and wryly humorous, Heilbron's engaging book is a first-rate work of science history. * Publishers Weekly *A fascinating history of astronomy that shows, as no other work has done so well, what happened to Italian science after Galileo's trial. An astonishing display of erudition and linguistic control, with a wealth of fine details, this is a major history that carves out a unique territory. -- Owen Gingerich, Harvard UniversityThe innumerate reader will learn much from Heilbron's book, and may come away with a different appreciation of the stars above us. -- Ingrid D. Rowland * New York Review of Books *He tells his story in rich detail, reconstructing characters and circumstances with ironic verve. His theme is the meridian lines (meridianae) laid down in the marble floors of cathedrals for quantifying the sun’s annual motion… Heilbron’s book is a treasure trove of fascinating information. -- Curtis Wilson * Isis *This excellent book adds a welcome complexity to the historiography of astronomy in the years after Galileo's abjuration allegedly brought Italian astronomy to its knees…Heilbron's book also reinterprets the relations of science and religion in the shadow of the Galileo affair. The novelty of his argument is neither that religion can stimulate astronomy…nor that ecclesiastical patronage encouraged learning…It is rather that the Church signally fertilized astronomy in an era when most historians portray the two as antagonists…[one] will appreciate the witty prose of the argument and the elegant design of this important book. -- Michael H. Shank * Renaissance Quarterly *The Sun in the Church: Cathedrals as Solar Observatories is a historical, well-documented, scholarly book concerned both with the use of churches in Italy during the 16th and 18th centuries to obtain observations of the sun for calendric and scientific purposes and with the relationship between the Church of Rome and the heliocentric views of many of the scientists of those times. -- Arnold M. Heiser * Science Books and Films *Heilbron combines the history of astronomy, mathematics, architecture, patronage, and religion to tell a story that very much alters the common picture of the progress in astronomy in the early modern period and the place of the Catholic Church in that history. The story is well told, and the mathematics is given in a way that could discourage only the most innumerate. -- Sheila J. Rabin * The Sixteenth Century Journal *J. L. Heilbron's remarkable book draws our attention to church users of a very different kind: early modern astronomers measuring the solar path to correct the shift of the ancient Julian calendar…The Sun in the Church tells their history in detail, alongside an exceptionally comprehensive and clear account of medieval and early modern astronomy…The Sun in the Church is an illuminous book, possibly as durable as the meridianae it celebrates. -- Sergio Sanabria * Technology and Culture *This book offers a different kind of travel guide for the 'mathematical tourist,' providing an itinerary of Italian cities and churches in which to find meridians, analemmas, armillary spheres and gnomons. These are good reminders of the role of the church in the history of science and testify to the fact that everything applied to the church, even the most apparently ornamental, served a didactic purpose. -- Paul A. Calter and Kim Williams * Nexus Network Journal *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAstronomy Methods, first published in 2003, is an introduction to the basic practical tools, methods and phenomena that underlie quantitative astronomy. Taking a technical approach, the author covers a rich diversity of topics across all branches of astronomy, from radio to gamma-ray wavelengths. Topics include the quantitative aspects of the electromagnetic spectrum, atmospheric and interstellar absorption, telescopes in all wavebands, interferometry, adaptive optics, the transport of radiation through matter to form spectral lines, and neutrino and gravitational-wave astronomy. Clear, systematic presentations of the topics are accompanied by diagrams and problem sets. Written for undergraduates and graduate students, this book contains a wealth of information that is required for the practice and study of quantitative and analytical astronomy and astrophysics.Trade Review'… a brilliant addition to the pedagogy. It is timely, focused, well written, and at the appropriate level … Astronomy Methods will be useful to all students of astronomy and astrophysics, irrespective of whether they intend to specialize in observational astronomy. The material can be adapted easily for various related courses, which makes the book even more valuable.' Physics TodayTable of Contents1. Astronomy through the centuries; 2. Electromagnetic radiation; 3. Co-ordinate systems and charts; 4. Gravity, celestial motions, and time; 5. Telescopes; 6. Detectors and statistics; 7. Multiple telescope interferometry; 8. Point-like and extended sources; 9. Properties and distances of celestial objects; 10. Absorption and scattering of photons; 11. Spectra of electromagnetic radiation; 12. Astronomy beyond photons.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe book aims to present current knowledge concerning the propagation of electro­ magnetic waves in a homogeneous magnetoplasma for which temperature effects are unimportant. It places roughly equal emphasis on the radio and the . hydromagnetic parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. The dispersion properties of a magnetoplasma are treated as a function both of wave frequency (assumed real) and of ionization density. However, there is little discussion of propagation in a stratified medium, for of collisions is included only which reference may be made to Budden [1] . The effect in so far as this can be done with simplicity. The book describes how pulses are radiated from both small and large antennas embedded in a homogeneous magneto­ plasma. The power density radiated from a type of dipole antenna is studied as a function of direction of radiation in all bands of wave frequency. Input reactance is not treated, but the dependence of radiation resistance on wave frequency is described for the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Also described is the relation between beaming and guidance for Alfven waves.Table of Contents1. Elementary properties of a plasma.- Plasma.- Equations of drift motion.- Isothermal atmosphere in equilibrium.- Types of wave.- Effect of collisions.- The continuity equations.- 2. Maxwell’s equations.- Equations in terms of current and charge densities.- Equations in terms of electric moment per unit volume.- The exponential wave function.- The concept of a dispersion relation.- Calculation of the dispersion relation (electric current method).- Calculation of the dispersion relation (electric moment method).- 3. Isotropic plasma.- Mobility and conductivity of an isotropic plasma.- Susceptibility and dielectric constant of a collisionless isotropic plasma.- The plasma frequency.- Refractive index of a collisionless isotropic plasma.- Wave dispersion in a collisionless isotropic plasma.- Effect of collisions in an isotropic plasma.- Importance of ordered kinetic energy in a plasma.- Poynting’s theorem in a plasma.- The energy significance of the complex dielectric constant of an isotropic plasma.- 4. Alternating current in a magnetoplasma.- Mobility tensor for a magnetoplasma.- Conductivity tensor for a magnetoplasma.- Low-frequency conduction properties of an infinite homogenous magnetoplasma.- Low-frequency conduction properties of a slab of magnetoplasma.- Effect of plasma scale on wave propagation.- 5. General properties of phase propagation in a magnetoplasma.- Susceptibility tensor for a magnetoplasma.- Alternative expressions for the susceptibility tensor components in the absence of multiple ion species.- Dispersion relation for a magnetoplasma.- Elliptic polarization.- Alternative derivation of the dispersion relation for a magnetoplasma.- The radio and hydromagnetic approximations.- Effect of collisions in a magnetoplasma.- 6. General properties of group propagation in a magnetoplasma.- Frequency and angular spectra.- Velocity of a wave packet.- Relation between phase and group propagation.- Method for calculating group velocity in a magnetoplasma.- Formulae for group velocity in a magnetoplasma.- Beam radiation in a magnetoplasma.- 7. Propagation of phase along the imposed magnetic field.- Circular polarization.- The dispersion relation for longitudinal propagation.- Longitudinal Alfvén waves.- The violin-string approach to longitudinal Alfven waves.- The hydromagnetic approximation for longitudinal propagation.- The radio approximation for longitudinal propagation.- The Eckersley approximation for longitudinal propagation.- Comparison of approximations.- Pass and stop bands of frequency for longitudinal propagation.- Particle vibration for longitudinal propagation.- Plasma motion in a longitudinal Alfvén wave.- Longitudinal propagation in low-density and high-density magnetoplasmas.- Effect of collisions on longitudinal propagation.- Effect of an additional ion species on longitudinal propagation.- Pass and stop bands of ionization density for longitudinal propagation.- 8. Energy flow and group velocity for longitudinal propagation.- Electromagnetic energy density for longitudinal propagation.- Kinetic energy density for longitudinal propagation.- Energy flow and group velocity for longitudinal propagation.- Energy in a longitudinal Alfvén wave.- Faraday rotation for longitudinal Alfvén waves.- A resonator for longitudinal Alfvén waves.- The mode of operation of a hydromagnetic violin-string.- Freezing of the magnetic field in the plasma (longitudinal Alfven waves).- Energy in a longitudinal whistler wave in the band ?Mi ? ? ? ?Me.- A resonator for longitudinal whistler waves in the band ?Mi ? ? ? ?Me.- Freezing of the magnetic field in the electron gas (longitudinal whistler wave).- Solid-state plasmas.- 9. Propagation of phase transverse to the imposed magnetic field.- The O wave.- The X wave.- Superposition of the O and X waves.- Pass and stop bands of frequency for transverse propagation.- The hybrid resonant frequencies.- Transverse propagation in a low-density magnetoplasma.- Pass and stop bands of ionization density for transverse propagation.- Effect of collisions on transverse propagation.- 10. Elliptic polarization of the X wave for transverse propagation.- The electric ellipse for transverse propagation of the X wave.- Frequency dependence of the electric ellipse.- Particle vibration for transverse propagation of the X wave.- Plasma compressions and dilations for transverse propagation of the X wave.- Non-reciprocity.- 11. Energy behaviour of the X wave for transverse propagation.- Electromagnetic energy density for transverse propagation of the X wave.- Kinetic energy density for transverse propagation of the X wave.- Energy flow and group velocity for transverse propagation of the X wave.- A resonator for transverse Alfvén waves.- The mode of operation of a hydromagnetic organ-pipe.- Freezing of the magnetic field in the plasma (transverse Alfvén waves).- 12. Propagation at any angle to the imposed magnetic field..- The zeros in the frequency dispersion curves.- Nomenclature for the characteristic waves.- The cross-connection phenomenon for frequency dispersion curves.- Frequency dispersion curves for nearly transverse propagation.- Frequency dispersion curves for nearly longitudinal propagation.- The elliptic polarizations of the O and X waves at the plasma frequency.- Effect of an additional ion species on cross-connection phenomena.- The infinities in the frequency dispersion curves.- Permitted regions for the frequency dispersion curves.- The cross-connection phenomenon for ionization dispersion curves.- Permitted regions for the ionization dispersion curves.- Propagation into a magnetoplasma from free space.- 13. The radio approximation.- The radio approximation to the dispersion relation.- Frequency dispersion curves in the radio band.- Frequency dependence of elliptic polarization in the radio band.- Frequency dependence of the direction of group propagation in the radio band.- Variation in the angle of squint of a rotating broadside antenna in the radio band.- Dependence of refractive index on ionization density in the radio band.- Dependence of elliptic polarization on ionization density in the radio band.- Dependence of the direction of group propagation on ionization density in the radio band.- 14. The hydromagnetic approximation.- The hydromagnetic approximation to the dispersion relation.- Frequency dispersion curves in the hydromagnetic band.- Effect of ionic collisions in the hydromagnetic band.- The fit between the hydromagnetic and radio approximations.- Frequency dependence of elliptic polarization in the hydromagnetic band.- Frequency dependence of the tilts of the electronic and current ellipses in the hydromagnetic band.- Frequency dependence of the direction of group propagation in the hydromagnetic band.- Polar diagrams for group velocity in the hydromagnetic band.- Dependence of refractive index on ionization density in the hydromagnetic band.- Dependence of elliptic polarization on ionization density in the hydromagnetic band.- Dependence of the direction of group propagation on ionization density in the hydromagnetic band.- 15. The quasi-longitudinal and quasi-transverse approximations.- The transition angle between the quasi-longitudinal and quasi-transverse approximations.- The regions of validity for the first- order angular approximations.- Importance of avoiding angular approximations that upset an infinity of a refractive index.- The regions of validity for angular approximations of practical value.- Accuracy of ?2n/??p2 using angular approximations.- The quasi-transverse approximation when ? ? ?Mi.- The quasi-longitudinal approximation when ? ? Max(?N,?Me).- The quasi-longitudinal approximation when ?Mi ? ? < ?Me ? ?N.- Group propagation for the whistler wave when ??1 ? ? < ?Me ? ?N.- Comparison of the zero-order quasi-longitudinal approximation in the whistler band with the unapproximated formulae.- 16. Directional behaviour of group velocity in a magnetoplasma.- Group propagation of the X wave in the pass band ? > ?C2.- Group propagation of the O wave in the pass band ? > ?N.- Group propagation in the upper part of the whistler band [??1 < ? < Min(?N,?Me)].- Group propagation in the lower part of the whistler band (? ? ??1).- Group propagation of the O wave in the pass band ? < ?Mi.- Group propagation of the X wave in the pass band ?C1 ?Me.- Group propagation of the X wave in the pass band ?C1 < ? < ??2 when ?N < ?Me.- 17. The field of an antenna in a magnetoplasma.- Axes of coordinates.- Angular spectra of O and X waves.- The predominant directions of group and phase propagation in the far field.- The method of steepest descent.- Simplification of the notation.- The power density in the far field.- Use of the angle of phase propagation as an independent variable.- Radiation from a gaussian dipole in a homogeneous magnetoplasma.- A reference isotropic medium.- Radiation ?C2.- Radiation in the frequency band ?C2 > ? > ??2.- Radiation in the frequency band ?? > ? > ?N.- Radiation in the frequency band ?N > ? > ?C1.- Radiation in the frequency band ?Me > ? > ??1.- Radiation in the frequency band ??1 > ? > ?Mi.- Radiation in the frequency band ? < ?Mi.- Frequency dependence of radiation resistance.- The relation between beaming and guidance in a homogeneous magnetoplasma.- The relation between beaming and guidance for the whistler wave when ??1 < ? ? Min (?N, ?Me).- The relation between beaming and guidance for the O wave when ? ? ?Mi.- The relation between beaming and guidance for the combined O and X waves when ? ? ?Mi.- Effect of energy absorption on Alfvén guidance.- Symbols.- Index of subjects.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe ideal gift for all amateur and seasoned astronomers. “This is a great guide to the night sky at a great price” Astronomy Now “A handy and straightforward guide.” British Astronomical Association's 'Journal' “an ideal Christmas stocking-filler” The ObservatoryTrade Review“A handy and straightforward guide.” British Astronomical Association's 'Journal' “an ideal Christmas stocking-filler” The Observatory “This is a great guide to the night sky at a great price” Astronomy Now

Read more less

Book SynopsisGalactic dynamics studies the motions of stars and gas in galaxies to understand their structure and evolution. New observations, from satellites such as Gaia, allow us to validate our theoretical models. These and other large data sets provide insights into how our Milky Way relates to the universe of galaxies.Table of ContentsMilky Way's structure based on thousands of Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars from OGLE Pawel Pietrukowicz; A 3D map of the Milky Way's disk as traced by classical Cepheids Xiaodian Chen; Dissecting the Phase Space Snail Shell Zhao-Yu Li; Vertical distribution of stars and flaring in the Milky Way Suchira Sarkar; Lithium enrichment in the Galaxy: A study using the GALAH and Gaia surveys Deepak; 3D asymmetrical kinematics of mono-age populations from LAMOST and Gaia common red clump stars Haifeng Wang; Study of open cluster NGC 5617 in Gaia era Devendra Bisht; Something about Red Supergiants Maria Messineo; Dynamics of the Milky Way Bar/Bulge Ortwin Gerhard; New VIRAC Proper Motion Maps Show Signature of Galactic Boxy/Peanut Bulge Jonathan Clarke; The VVV Survey: Globular Clusters and More Minniti Dante; VVV Microlensing events in the far side of the Milky Way María Navarro; Transverse bar/bulge kinematics with Gaia and VVV Jason Sanders; Stellar populations in the BAaDE survey Megan Lewis; BAaDE: the Bulge Asymmetries and Dynamical Evolution survey Lorant Sjouwerman; SiO maser emission as a stellar line-of-sight velocity tracer in the Bulge Asymmetries and Dynamical Evolution (BAaDE) survey Michael Stroh; Measuring torque of Galactic bar from Gaia DR2 Rain Kipper; Infrared space astrometry mission for survey of the Galactic nuclear bulge: Small-JASMINE Naoteru Gouda; Nearby Hills ejecta as a probe of the gravitational potential of the Milky Way Yanqiong Zhang; Tracing the rotational velocity of the halo with K-giant stars in LAMOST-Gaia era Hao Tian; The high transverse velocity stars in Gaia-LAMOST João Antônio Silveira do Amarante; Constraining the Milky Way non-axisymmetries with Gaia Benoit Famaey; Warps, Waves, and Phase Spirals in the Milky Way Lawrence Widrow; Kinematics of Highly r-Process-Enhanced Halo Stars Kaley Brauer; Streams and the Milky Way Dark Matter Halo Heidi Newberg; New structures of the Milky Way stellar and dark halos revealed from the Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam survey Masashi Chiba; Galactic Mass and Anisotropy Profile with Halo K-Giant and Blue Horizontal Branch Stars from LAMOST/SDSS and Gaia Sarah A. Bird; The shape of the dark matter halo revealed from a hypervelocity star Kohei Hattori; Modelling our Galaxy James Binney; Satellite galaxies as better tracers of the Milky Way halo mass Jiaxin Han; The Early Merger that Made the Galaxy's Stellar Halo N. Evans; Detecting tidal tail of the globular cluster Whiting 1 Jundan Nie; The LMC vs. the Milky Way Gurtina Besla; Proper motion of the Magellanic Bridge: removal of foreground stars Thomas Schmidt; Revisiting the innermost Kinematics of the Andromeda galaxy (M31) with the Observatoire du Mont Mégantic (OMM) Fabry-Perot interferometer Sie Zacharie Kam; Spirals in Galaxies Jerry Sellwood; Kinematical Signatures of Disc Instabilities and Secular Evolution in the MUSE TIMER Survey Dimitri Gadotti; The sequence of spiral arm classes: Observational signatures of persistent spiral density waves in grand-design galaxies Adrian Bittner; Dynamical Regularities in Galaxies Stacy McGaugh; Evolution of Disk Galaxies in MOdified Gravity (MOG) Neda Ghafourian; The Puzzle of Unbarred Galaxies Juntai Shen; Secular evolution and pseudo-bulges Francoise Combes; The face-on views of X-shaped “bulges'' – boxy features in the central parts of bars Panos Patsis; The evolution of bulges of galaxies in minor fly-by interactions Ankit Kumar; The long-lived inner bar of NGC1291 Jairo Mendez-Abreu; A MUSE study of the fast bar in the weakly-interacting galaxy NGC 4264 Virginia Cuomo; Schwarzschild modeling of barred galaxies Eugene Vasiliev; Can Bars Erode Cuspy Halos? Sandeep Kataria; Coevolution (Or Not) of Supermassive Black Holes and Host Galaxies John Kormendy; Testing the robustness of black hole mass measurements with ALMA and MUSE Sabine Thater; The dynamics in the inne

Read more less

Book SynopsisIAU Symposium 356 summarises the most recent results in the field of active galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN). These are some of the most luminous sources in the Universe, also the most distant ones that we can observe, so they are very important for understanding the early Universe and its evolution through cosmic time. This volume gives an overview of the current status in the field of active galaxies including: AGN multiwavelength observations; different AGN types and their properties; AGN variability; active supermassive black holes and properties of galaxies in which they reside; triggering, feedback and shutting off AGN activity; relativistic jets and environments of active galaxies; and AGN evolution. IAU S356 was the third IAU symposium organised in Africa in the past 100 years since the IAU was established, and the first one organised in Ethiopia, highlighting current developments in astronomical research in Africa.Table of ContentsPart I. Multiwavelength AGN Surveys; Part II. AGN Types and Unification Model; Part III. Variability; Part IV. Properties of AGN Host Galaxies; Part V. Triggering, Feedback, and Shutting Off of AGN Activity; Part VI. Jets and Environment; Part VII. The Youngest AGN and AGN Evolution; ; .

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book by one of the leaders in adaptive optics covers the fundamental theory and then describes in detail how this technology can be applied to large ground-based telescopes to compensate for the effects of atmospheric turbulence. It includes information on basic adaptive optics components and technology, and has chapters devoted to atmospheric turbulence, optical image structure, laser beacons, and overall system design. The chapter on system design is particularly detailed and includes performance estimation and optimization. Combining a clear discussion of physical principles with numerous real-world examples, this book will be a valuabe resource for all graduate students and researchers in astronomy and optics.Trade Review"While any of the four [monographs available in the field of adaptive optics] is suitable for use in a graduate class in observational astronomy, by far the best of them is Adaptive Optics for Astronomical Telescopes, by John Hardy, a pioneer in adaptive optics who, as adaptive-optics project leader at ITEK Corp, led the research and technology effort that culminated in the first operational military adaptive optics system in 1981. Hardy's book . . . would be an outstanding choice for a graduate class, because each topic is explained completely from basic principles to the ultimate level of complexity. . . . Once one is immersed in the rhythm of the presentation, the book is a pleasure to read. The strengths of Hardy's work include his knowledge of the US military literature in this field and his even-handed presentation of the many competing technologies that contribute to an adaptive-optics system."--Physics Today "While any of the four [monographs available in the field of adaptive optics] is suitable for use in a graduate class in observational astronomy, by far the best of them is Adaptive Optics for Astronomical Telescopes, by John Hardy, a pioneer in adaptive optics who, as adaptive-optics project leader at ITEK Corp, led the research and technology effort that culminated in the first operational military adaptive optics system in 1981. Hardy's book . . . would be an outstanding choice for a graduate class, because each topic is explained completely from basic principles to the ultimate level of complexity. . . . Once one is immersed in the rhythm of the presentation, the book is a pleasure to read. The strengths of Hardy's work include his knowledge of the US military literature in this field and his even-handed presentation of the many competing technologies that contribute to an adaptive-optics system."--Physics TodayTable of ContentsAPPENDICES

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book describes the fundamentals of particle detectors as well as their applications.Detector development is an important part of nuclear, particle and astroparticle physics, and through its applications in radiation imaging, it paves the way for advancements in the biomedical and materials sciences. Knowledge in detector physics is one of the required skills of an experimental physicist in these fields. The breadth of knowledge required for detector development comprises many areas of physics and technology, starting from interactions of particles with matter, gas- and solid-state physics, over charge transport and signal development, to elements of microelectronics.The book''s aim is to describe the fundamentals of detectors and their different variants and implementations as clearly as possible and as deeply as needed for a thorough understanding. While this comprehensive opus contains all the materials taught in experimental particle physics lectures or modules addressing detector physics at the Master''s level, it also goes well beyond these basic requirements. This is an essential text for students who want to deepen their knowledge in this field. It is also a highly useful guide for lecturers and scientists looking for a starting point for detector development work.Trade ReviewStarting from a thorough introduction of fundamentals easily understood by the non-specialist and arriving at the cutting edge of modern device application, this well-produced volume offers an important reference for researchers and students in physics and optics. * Silvano Donati, Optics & Phototonics News *a gem of a book... easy to read and conceptual discussions are well supported by numerous examples, plots, and illustrations of excellent quality. * Peter Krizan, CERN Courier *...the authors provide the community with a fantastic resource for all aspects of modern instrumentation in the scientific and societal applications of particle physics. This monumental textbook, with its almost 1000 pages, covers in a very comprehensive, clear and inclusive way all the basic physics and technologies for detectors. Each of the topics is introduced in an accessible manner for advanced graduate students, including concrete examples, and is then further developed in depth for experts. This also makes it a precious reference book. * Peter Jenni, Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg and Experimental Physics Department, CERN *Before I opened the cover of the book, I made a list of topics that I feel should be covered in a comprehensive treatise on particle detection. As I read through, I found that each one of those, and many more, are treated with an admirable balance of technical depth and readability. I highly recommend this book for any "student" of nuclear instrumentation, whether at the beginning of or deep into their career. The book promises to be an invaluable resource for many years to come. * Bruce Schumm, Physics Department, University of California at Santa Cruz *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Overview, history and concepts 3: Interactions of particles and matter 4: Movement of charge carriers in electric and magnetic fields 5: Signal formation by moving charges 6: Non-electronic detectors 7: Gas-filled detectors 8: Semiconductor detectors 9: Track reconstruction and momentum measurement 10: Photodetectors 11: Cherenkov detectors 12: Transition radiation detectors 13: Scintillation detectors 14: Particle identification 15: Calorimeters 16: Detectors for cosmic particles, neutrinos and exotic matter 17: Signal procesisng, readout and noise 18: Trigger and data acquisition systems

Read more less

Book SynopsisA little astronomy.- An introduction to sundials.- The gnomon.- Equatorial sundials.- Horizontal sundials.- Polar sundials.- Vertical sundials.- Horizontal analemmatic sundials.- Altitude sundials.- Sundials in the tropics.Table of ContentsA little astronomy.- An introduction to sundials.- The gnomon.- Equatorial sundials.- Horizontal sundials.- Polar sundials.- Vertical sundials.- Horizontal analemmatic sundials.- Altitude sundials.- Sundials in the tropics.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is intended for amateur astronomers who are readers of Sky & Telescope magazine or similar astronomy periodicals – or are at least at the same level of knowledge and enthusiasm. Supernovae are often discovered by amateur astronomers, and the book describes the best strategies for discovering and observing them.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews: "Supernovae and How to Observe Them is the ideal book for amateur supernova hunters. … This is a book that is suitable for all practising amateur astronomers who would like to know more about observing supernovae and especially for those who would like to discover them. … It is thoroughly recommended." (Ron Arbour, BBC Sky at Night, September, 2007) "If you like reading about and/or observing the universe’s biggest blasts, you’ll be interested in a book that just crossed my desk. Supernovae and How to Observe Them by Martin Mobberley is, as the title suggests, a dual purpose book. … If you’ve ever thought about hunting for supernovae, or if you just want to know more about them, this book is one you’ll want to add to your reference shelf." (Michael Bakich, Astronomy Magazine, October, 2007)Table of ContentsSupernovae: Physics and Statistics.- Supernova Physics.- Supernovae to Measure the Universe.- Supernovae in Our Neighborhood.- The Top 100 Extragalactic Supernovae.- Supernovae: A Threat to Life on Earth.- Observing and Discovering Supernovae.- Supernovae as Visual Variable Stars.- Supernova Photometry and Light Curves.- Supernova Spectroscopy.- Amateur Supernova Hunting in the 21st Century.- The Discoverers Themselves.- Searching the Messier Galaxies.- Searching the Caldwell Galaxies.- Observing Supernova Remnants.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTaming the rockets: From wrath to research.- Holloman and the Albert Hall of Fame.- Pioneers of destiny: The suborbital dog flights.- High-altitude research.- Able and Baker lead the way.- The most famous dog in history.- Prelude to manned space flight.- Pioneers in a weightless world.- Biting the hand.- Cosmos/Bion: The age of the biosatellites.- End of an era.- Shuttling into space.- Epilogue.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews: "Animals in Space, a relentlessly factual account of animal endeavours in near Earth orbit. … The programme and its relationship to animal rights is surely fertile material for any future popular science work on the subject. … the history of animal space flight is long and fascinating. It deserves its place alongside the human stories of Vostok 1, Apollo 11 and Challenger." (New Scientist, April, 2007) "Animals in Space is an extremely detailed, yet absorbing, history of animals used in the space programs around the world. … In addition to a list of references at the end of each chapter, the book’s documentation includes photos, charts, and lists of the U.S., Soviet, Chinese, French and international space missions (including Bion and International Space Station) that utilized animals as test and research subjects. … the book will surely serve as a standard on the subject for years to come." (Advocacy for Animals, November, 2007)Table of ContentsTaming the rockets: From wrath to research.- Holloman and the Albert Hall of Fame.- Pioneers of destiny: The suborbital dog flights.- High-altitude research.- Able and Baker lead the way.- The most famous dog in history.- Prelude to manned space flight.- Pioneers in a weightless world.- Biting the hand.- Cosmos/Bion: The age of the biosatellites.- End of an era.- Shuttling into space.- Epilogue.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor about half a century the general theory of relativity attracted little attention from physicists.Table of ContentsI. The General Theory of Relativity.- 1. Introduction.- 1.1. The Case for Nonflat Space—Time.- 1.2. The Principle of Equivalence.- 1.3. Conflict Between the Equivalence Principle and the Pseudo-Euclidean Metric: Gravitational Redshift.- 1.4. A Fifth Force.- 2. Tensor Calculus and Riemannian Geometry.- 2.1. Riemannian Geometry and the Metric Tensor.- 2.2. Vectors and Tensors.- 2.3. Invariant Volume and Volume Integral.- 2.4. Affine Connection—Parallel Transport.- 2.5. Covariant Differentiation.- 2.6. The Differential Equation of a Geodesic.- 2.7. The Integrability of Parallel Displacement.- 2.8. The Riemann—Christoffel Tensor.- 2.9. The Bianchi Identity.- 2.10. The Ricci Tensor and the Einstein Tensor.- 2.11. The Weyl Tensor.- 2.12. Geodesic Deviation.- 3. Einstein’s Field Equations.- 3.1. Einstein’s Formulation of the Field Equations.- 3.2. Weak Field Approximation (Static Case).- 3.3. Gravitational Waves in Weak Field Approximation.- 3.4. Detection of Gravitational Waves.- 3.5. Integration of the Linearized Equations for a Stationary Axially Symmetric Distribution.- 3.6. The Action Principle and the Energy—Momentum Tensors.- 3.7. The Energy—Stress Tensor.- 3.8. The Einstein Equations from the Variational Principle.- 4. The Schwarzschild Metric and Crucial Tests.- 4.1. The Schwarzschild Solution.- 4.2. Birkhoff’s Theorem.- 4.3. Three Crucial Tests.- 4.4. The PPN Formalism.- 4.5. The Schwarzschild or the Spherically Symmetric Black Hole.- 4.6. Frequency Shift of Spectral Lines of Light Emitted by a Collapsing/Exploding Spherical Body.- 4.7. Fall in Apparent Luminosity of a Collapsing Body.- 4.8. Kruskal—Szekeres Coordinates.- 4.9. Historical Note on the Schwarzschild Black Hole.- 5. Electromagnetism in General Relativity.- 5.1. Introduction.- 5.2. The Field of a Charged Particle.- 5.3. Static Electrovac.- 5.4. The Already Unified Field Theory.- 6. Axially Symmetric Fields.- 6.1. The Lie Derivative and the Killing Equation.- 6.2. Static and Stationary Metrics.- 6.3. The Axially Symmetric Static Metric.- 6.4. Weyl’s Canonical Form.- 6.5. The Case of Two Mass Particles.- 6.6. The Schwarzschild Metric in the Form (6.21).- 6.7. Stationary Axisymmetric Vacuum Solutions.- 7. The Kerr Metric or the Rotating Black Hole.- 7.1. The Kerr Metric in Boyer—Lindquist Coordinates.- 7.2. The Black Hole Property.- 7.3. Locally Nonrotating Observers.- 7.4. The Horizon as a Null Surface.- 7.5. The Kerr—Newmann Metric.- 7.6. The Penrose Process.- 8. The Energy—Momentum Pseudotensor of the Gravitational Field and Loss of Energy by Gravitational Radiation.- 8.1. The Pseudo-Energy—Momentum Tensor.- 8.2. Historical Note.- 8.3. Loss of Energy by Gravitational Radiation.- 8.4. The Case of a Binary Star.- 9. Analysis of the Observational Data of the Hulse—Taylor Pulsar. Confirmation of the Einstein Quadrupole Radiation Formula.- II. Relativistic Astrophysics.- 10. White Dwarf Stars.- 10.1. Introduction.- 10.2. The Contraction of a Radiating Star in the Absence of Energy Generation.- 10.3. Degeneracy and the Equation of State.- 10.4. Limiting Mass for White Dwarfs.- 10.5. A Simple Argument for the Mass Limit.- 10.6. Critique of Chandrasekhar’s Result and Later Works.- 10.7. Historical Note.- 10.8. Observational Data on White Dwarfs.- 10.9. The Cooling and Age of White Dwarfs.- 11. Stellar Evolution, Supernovae, and Compact Objects.- 11.1. Introduction.- 11.2. The Evolution of Stars.- 11.3. The Dynamical Collapse.- 11.4. Some Numerical Results.- 11.5. Explosive Processes.- 11.6. Supernova 1987 A.- 12. Pulsars.- 12.1. Introduction.- 12.2. Distance from Dispersion Measure.- 12.3. Identification of Pulsars as Neutron Stars.- 12.4. The Energetics of Pulsar Emission.- 12.5. The Magnetic Field at the Pulsar Surface.- 12.6. The Age of Pulsars.- 12.7. Calculation of the Braking Index.- 12.8. The Nonvacuum Model.- 12.9. Observational Determination of Pulsar Masses.- 12.10. Cooling of Neutron Stars—Theory and Observation.- 12.11. The Influence of Superfluidity.- 12.12. The Influence of Pion Condensation.- 12.13. The Influence of Quarks.- 13. Spherically Symmetric Star Models.- 13.1. Introduction.- 13.2. The Tolman, Oppenheimer—Volkoff Equation.- 13.3. The Equation of State for Cold Catalyzed Matter.- 13.4. A Model of a Neutron Star and the Mass Limits.- 13.5. The Problems of the Upper Mass Limit of Neutron Stars.- 13.6. The Influence of Rotation, etc., on the Mass Limit.- 13.7. Note on the Stability of Compact Objects.- 14. Black Holes.- 14.1. Introduction.- 14.2. The No-Hair Theorem.- 14.3. The Laws of Black Hole Physics.- 14.4. Black Hole Thermodynamics.- 14.5. The Identification of a Black Hole—Cygnus X-1.- 14.6. The Possible Locale of the Occurrence of Black Holes.- 14.7. The Quasi-Steller Objects (Quasars).- 14.8. Gravitational Lens.- 15. Accretion onto Compact Objects.- 15.1. Introduction—Spherically Symmetric Accretion.- 15.2. Disk Accretion.- 15.3. Compact X-Ray Sources.- III. Cosmology.- 16. The Standard Cosmological Model.- 16.1. Introduction to the Friedmann Metric.- 16.2. Elementary Discussion of Standard Cosmology.- 16.3. The Observational Background of Cosmology.- 16.4. Summary.- 17. The Singularity Problem.- 17.1. Introduction.- 17.2. The Raychaudhuri Equation.- 17.3. The Meaning of Shear, Vorticity, and Expansion.- 17.4. An Elementary Singularity Theorem.- 17.5. The Gödel Universe.- 17.6. General Singularity Theorems.- 18. Thermal History of the Universe—Cosmological Nucleosynthesis.- 18.1. The Thermal History.- 18.2. Cosmological Nucleosynthesis.- 19. Structure Formation in the Universe.- 19.1. The Problem.- 19.2. The Linear Growth Formula.- 19.3. Finite Perturbation.- 19:4. Structure Formation with Dark Matter.- 20. Grand Unified Theory and Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking.- 20.1. Introduction.- 20.2. Gauge Fields.- 20.3. Weak Interaction.- 20.4. Strong Interaction and Grand Unification.- 20.5. Baryon Asymmetry and the Baryon/Photon Ratio.- 21. The Inflationary Scenario.- 21.1. Introduction.- 21.2. The Problems in Terms of Entropy.- 21.3. The Vacuum Energy—Stress Tensor and the de Sitter Phase.- 21.4. The Different Models of Inflation.- 21.5. A Critique of the Inflationary Models.- 21.6. Fluctuations in the Inflationary Models.- 22. Concluding Remarks.- Appendix. Differential Forms.- A.1. Introductory Ideas and Definitions.- A.2. Connection 1-Forms and Ricci Rotation Coefficients.- A.3. Cartan’s Equations of Structure.- A.4. Bianchi Identities and Symmetry Properties of the Riemann—Christoffel Tensor.- A.5. An Example of the Calculation of the Riemann—Christoffel Tensor.- References.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAmateur astronomers are always on the lookout for new observing challenges. This is a practical guide to locating and viewing the most impressive of Herschel’s star clusters, nebulae and galaxies, cataloging more than 600 of the brightest objects, and offering detailed descriptions and images of 150 to 200 of the best.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews: "Mullaney packs an incredible amount of information into this 166-page book. … All in all, The Herschel Objects, and how to observe them is engaging, challenging, well-written, and comprehensive. So, if you love deep-sky observing – and even if you’ve observed the Astronomical League’s Herschel 400 – Mullaney’s book offers a new list with several hundred additional objects you’ll enjoy." (Michael Bakich, Astronomy Magazine, October, 2007) "The Herschel Objects and How to Observe Them is a fine addition to the Springer series of observing guides. Mullaney has been observing the Herschel objects for many years and his passion for them clearly comes across. … Overall though, this is a book that will be a useful addition to any deep-sky observer’s library." (Paul Money, BBC Sky at Night, February, 2008) "Mullaney begins with a well-written biographical sketch of Herschel and his family, and explains the significance of the work of this great observational astronomer. … the objects are illustrated with excellent images obtained using a modern charge-coupled device (CCD) system. The book concludes with a list of 618 targets that would provide for a lifetime of study. The book will be of greatest interest to experienced observers who wish to push on to the most challenging deep sky objects. … Summing Up: Recommended. General readers." (D. E. Hogg, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (6), February, 2008) "The book opens with a few short chapters on Herschel himself together with a brief introduction to observing techniques … . rounded out with some objects that the author regards as showpieces that were not discovered by Herschel. Any collection of these will of course be very subjective. … I found the book’s reproductions to be a cut above the usual Springer ones and the book does offers something sufficiently different … and the Astronomical League guides to make it worth adding to your collection." (Owen Brazell, The Observatory, Vol. 128 (1203), 2008)Table of ContentsWilliam Herschel's Life, Telescopes and Catalogs.- Herschel's Telescopes.- Herschel's Catalogs and Classes.- Observing Techniques.- Exploring The Herschel Showpieces.- Showpieces of Class I.- Showpieces of Class IV.- Showpieces of Class V.- Showpieces of Class VI.- Showpieces of Class VII.- Showpieces of Class VIII.- Samples of Classes II & III.- Showpieces Missed by Herschel.- The “Missing” Herschel Objects.- Conclusion.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBackground.- About Binoculars (And Everything Connected to Them).- Celestial Mechanics.- Those Wonderful Distant Suns.- Nonstellar Objects.- Using Models to Understand Our Place in Space and Time.- Preparing for Observation Sessions.- Constellations.- Andromeda to Boötes (The Herdsman).- Caelum (The Chisel) to Draco (The Dragon).- Eridanus (The River) to Lyra (The Lyre).- Microscopium (The Microscope) to Puppis (The Stern).- Sagitta (The Arrow) to Vulpecula (The Fox).Trade ReviewFrom the reviews:“This volume is so crammed with information that the index is a very welcome addition. … This provides you with a rich background about objects you can see … . It … deals with the constellations, giving charts, photos and informative text describing the binocular delights within.” (Mark Parrish, Sky at Night Magazine, April, 2010)“Book such as this , subtitled ‘250+ wonderful sky objects to see and explore’ , will attract the attention of many a skygazer. … I expect that many potential readers will wonder, as I did, how much of this material is truly necessary in a book supposedly aimed at users of 10 × 50 binoculars. … It is undoubtedly an impressive achievement … . As if to underline this, the book ends with a list of basic objects for beginners … .” (Ian Ridpath, The Observatory, Vol. 130, August, 2010)Table of ContentsBackground.- About Binoculars (And Everything Connected to Them).- Celestial Mechanics.- Those Wonderful Distant Suns.- Nonstellar Objects.- Using Models to Understand Our Place in Space and Time.- Preparing for Observation Sessions.- Constellations.- Andromeda to Boötes (The Herdsman).- Caelum (The Chisel) to Draco (The Dragon).- Eridanus (The River) to Lyra (The Lyre).- Microscopium (The Microscope) to Puppis (The Stern).- Sagitta (The Arrow) to Vulpecula (The Fox).

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less