Astronomy, space and time Books

Book SynopsisKosmologie für alle, die mehr wissen wollen Dieses Sachbuch richtet sich an alle, die genauer wissen wollen, wie die Kosmologie heute unser Universum, dessen Anfang – den Urknall – und mögliches Ende erklärt. Es nimmt Sie mit auf die Suche der Wissenschaft nach Antworten auf die letzten kosmischen Fragen: Ist das Universum endlich oder unendlich? Hat es schon immer existiert? Wann und wie ist es entstanden – und wird es jemals enden? Die Autoren, die beide zu kosmologischen Fragestellungen forschen, bieten Ihnen eine leicht nachvollziehbare und konsistente Darstellung moderner kosmologischer Ideen. Sie erfahren alles über die Grundlagen der Kosmologie und das, was wir über den Urknall und unser beobachtbares Universum wissen, über Hintergründe aus der Teilchenphysik und den aktuellsten Stand der Wissenschaft zu Inflation und Co. Dabei wird Ihnen auch die eine oder andere Formel präsentiert – aber Sie benötigen dafür keine Vorkenntnisse, die über die Mathematik der Mittelstufe hinausgehen, und den notwendigen physikalischen Hintergrund dazu bekommen Sie gleich mitgeliefert. Nach der Lektüre dieses Buches wissen Sie also nicht nur, was die Physik heute über unser Universum und den ganzen Rest weiß, sondern auch warum.Table of Contents

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Book SynopsisStarting from Newton’s times this follow-up to the author’s Springer book “Our Place in the Universe - Understanding Fundamental Astronomy from Ancient Discoveries” addresses the question of “our place in the Universe” from astronomical, physical, chemical, biological, philosophical and social perspectives.Using the history of astronomy to illustrate the process of discovery, the emphasis is on the description of the process of how we learned and on the exploration of the impacts of discoveries rather than on the presentation of facts. Thus readers are informed of the influence of science on a broad scale.Unlike the traditional way of teaching science, in this book, the author begins by describing the observations and then discusses various attempts to find answers (including unsuccessful ones). The goal is to help students develop a better appreciation of the scientific process and learn from this process to tackle real-life problems.Trade Review“My overall impression is of a very carefully organized book in which clear explanations are seen as the key to understanding the process by which scientific discoveries are made. ... this book is a mostly excellent, carefully constructed, step-by-step educational path through the development of the process of doing science and resulting discoveries. Sun Kwok’s book provides an all-embracing view of how science has enabled a detailed description of our place in the Universe ... .” (Barry Kent, The Observatory, Vol. 142 (1291), December, 2022)Table of ContentsFrom Copernicus to Enlightenment.- Empirical Evidence for the Heliocentric Model.- Resolution of the Theoretical Objections to the Heliocentric Theory.- Size of the Solar System.- Celestial Navigation and Exploration of the Heavens.- New Members of the Solar System.- Is the Sun a Star?.- A New Way of Thinking.- What Are Stars Made of?.- Origin of the Solar System.- Plurality of the World.- The Nature of Nebulae.- Are all Motions Relative?.- The Nature of Light and Matter.- The Human Star Connection.- Is the Universe Finite?.- Early History of the Earth.- Common Ancestors.- Origin of Life.- Complexity in the Universe.- Evolution of the Earth through the Ages.- Earth as an Integrated System.- Life Cycles of Stars.- Life in other Worlds.- Our Place in the Universe.- The Common Link in Our Journey.- Further Reading.- Appendix I: Brightest Stars in the Sky.- Appendix II: Units of Measurement.- Appendix III: Astronomical Measurements.- Appendix IV: Photometric Method to Estimate the Distances of Stars.- Appendix V: Mass of the Milky Way.- Appendix VI: Examples of Inertial Forces.- Appendix VII: Astronomy from other Planetary Systems.- Review Exercises.- Glossary.

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Book SynopsisINTRODUCTION.- Where are everyone?.- The phases and challenges.- Part I - The astronomical parameters NS, NP and FS.- 1st Drake: The star number of the galactic disc for stars of spectral class K, G and F.- 2nd Drake: number number per star, suitable for life in the habitable area (spectral class F, G and K).- 3rd Drake: fraction of stable planets for 7 gy (duration of the stellar population).- Part II - The biological parameters of Drake: fl and fi.- 4th Drake: the transition from non-living to the living.- 5th Drake: the probability of intelligent life.- Macro-interval A: the crucial passage; The onset of the Eukaryotic Cell.- Macro-interval B: the second step; The birth of animals (Metazoi).- Macro-interval B: The "solution" of the intelligence deduced by the definition of Kardašëv, centered on energy by individual, and its birth within the metzoi (the Homo case).- The oxygen curve.- Part III- The social parameters of Drake: FC and FL.- 6th Drake: fraction of planets where life decides to communicate.- 7th Drake: temporal fraction lasting a civilization.- The complete Drake equation Still the paradox of Fermi (but in short, where are everyone?).- Winners and won in the Milky Way.- Identikit of two possible intelligent alien species.- Epilogue - The mercy of the cheetah.- Appendices.

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Book SynopsisIntroduction.- Children Of The Stars.- Towards Complexity.- Are We Extraterrestrials?.- Life On Earth.- Life In The Wanderers Of Sky.- The Universe And Life.- The New Worlds.- Is There Life On Extrasolar Planets?.- Carbon Chauvinism?.- Where Is Everybody?.- The Great Silence (Searching For Et).- We Are Not Alone.- Epilogue.- Appendix 1.- Appendix 2.- Appendix 3.

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Book SynopsisINTRODUZIONE.- FIGLI DELLE STELLE.- VERSO LA COMPLESSITÀ.- SIAMO EXTRATERRESTRI?.- LA VITA SULLA TERRA.- LA VITA NEI VAGABONDI DEL CIELO.- L'UNIVERSO E LA VITA.- I NUOVI MONDI.- C'È VITA SUI PIANETI EXTRASOLARI?.- SCIOVINISMO DEL CARBONIO?.- DOVE SONO TUTTI QUANTI?.- IL GRANDE SILENZIO  (CERCANDO E.T.).- NON SIAMO SOLI.- EPILOGO.- APPENDICE 1.- APPENDICE 2.- APPENDICE 3.

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Book SynopsisSTATE OF ASTROBIOLOGY IN THE WORLD.- CENTRO DE ASTROBIOLOGÍA 20 YEARS OF RESEARCH IN SPAIN.- ASTROBIOLOGY IN ARGENTINA. EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS EXTREMOPHILES AND MORE.- BRIEF HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS OF ASTROBIOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCES IN BRASIL.- CHALLENGES AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASTROBIOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCES RESEARCH IN CHILE.- ASTROBIOLOGY IN CUBA.-  ASTROBIOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCES IN COLOMBIA: ITS POTENTIAL FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH.- SOCIEDAD MEXICANA DE ASTROBIOLOGÍA SOMA MEXICAN ASTROBIOLOGY SOCIETY.- ASTROBIOLOGY IN PERÚ: FIRST ACHIEVEMENTS.- LATIN AMERICAN ASTROBIOLOGY NETWORK.

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Book SynopsisTo British television viewers, the name ‘Patrick Moore’ has been synonymous with Astronomy and Space Travel since he first appeared on The Sky at Night in 1957. To amateur astronomers he has been a source of inspiration, joy, humour and even an eccentric role model since that time. Most people know that his 55 years of presenting The Sky at Night is a world record, but what was he really like in person? What did he do away from the TV cameras, in his observatory, and within the British Astronomical Association, the organisation that inspired him as a youngster? Also, precisely what did he do during the War Years, a subject that has always been shrouded in mystery? Martin Mobberley, a friend of Patrick Moore’s for 30 years, and a former President of the British Astronomical Association, has spent ten years exhaustively researching Patrick’s real life away from the TV cameras. His childhood, RAF service, tireless voluntary work for astronomy and charity and his endless book writing are all examined in detail. His astronomical observations are also examined in unprecedented detail, along with the battles he fought along the way and his hatred of bureaucracy and political correctness. No fan of Sir Patrick Moore can possibly live without this work on their bookshelf!Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Pre-War Years.- Chapter 2: The War Years.- Chapter 3: The Post War Years.- Chapter 4: The First Books and O’Neill’s Bridge.- Chapter 5:Desmond Leslie, Cedric Allingham and Science Fiction.- Chapter 6: The BBC.- Chapter 7: Encounters with Russians and George Alcock.- Chapter 8: some Classic 1960s Broadcasts.- Chapter 9: Back to the Lunar Section.- Chapter 10: The Move to Armagh.- Chapter 11: Meteorites, Pills, Saturn and the Leonids.- Chapter 12: St. Osyth, Two British Novae, Serpents Everywhere, and an OBE.- Chapter 13: Selsey and the Race to the Moon.- Chapter 14: Apollo 11.- Chapter 15: A Bestselling Author, Nutters and More Moon Landings.- Chapter 16: Mainly BAA and TLP.- Chapter 17: Back in Charge of the Lunar Section.- Chapter 18: A Telescope, a Comet and the Monte Umbe.- Chapter 19: Kohoutek Flops and This is Your Life.- Chapter 20: Not Enough Hours in the Day.- Chapter 21: A Naked Eye Nova and a Director Resigns.- Chapter 22: An End to Lunar Section Chores.- Chapter 23: Twenty Years on TV and a Fall in the Bath!- Chapter 24: Back in the TLP Driving Seat.- Chapter 25: Nursing Mother.- Chapter 26: A British Comet Marks the End of an Era.- Chapter 27: Musings on Planet 10; Life after Mother.- Chapter 28: Halley recovered as Patrick becomes President.- Chapter 29: Fifty Years in the BAA and Halley.- Chapter 30: Supernova 1987A, Politics and a New Magazine.- Chapter 31: Business as Usual at the BBC and the BAA.- Chapter 32: A 100th Birthday and Madness in Buenos Aires.- Chapter 33: A Nasty Accident and Shoemaker-Levy 9.- Chapter 34: The Caldwell Catalogue, Neptune and More Foreign Trips.- Chapter 35: Death of a Friend, Selsey’s Tornado and Serious Health Problems.- Chapter 36: The 1999 Total Solar Eclipse and Ailing Health.- Chapter 37: A Knighthood, a BAFTA and a Fellow of the Royal Society.- Chapter 38: A Biography, a Co-presenter, a Venus Transit and a Deadly Goose Egg.- Chapter 39: A New Magazine, a Pacemaker and BANG!- Chapter 40: 50 Years of The Sky At Night.- Chapter 41: Still Alive Despite All the Odds!- Chapter 42: Life, the Universe and Everything.- Epilogue: Patrick’s Legacy.- Appendix 1: Patrick’s Variable Stars.- Appendix 2: Patrick’s Voluntary BAA Roles.- Appendix 3: Total Solar Eclipse Trips Experienced by Patrick.- Appendix 4: Patrick’s 300+ Books and Other Media Offerings.

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Book SynopsisNo longer are heavy, sturdy, expensive mounts and tripods required to photograph deep space. With today's advances in technology, all that is required is an entry-DSLR and an entry level GoTo telescope. Here is all of the information needed to start photographing the night sky without buying expensive tracking mounts. By using multiple short exposures and combining them with mostly ‘freeware’ computer programs, the effect of image rotation can be minimized to a point where it is undetectable in normal astrophotography, even for a deep-sky object such as a galaxy or nebula. All the processes, techniques, and equipment needed to use inexpensive, lightweight altazimuth and equatorial mounts and very short exposures photography to image deep space objects are explained, step-by-step, in full detail, supported by clear, easy to understand graphics and photographs.Currently available lightweight mounts and tripods are identified and examined from an economic versus capability perspective to help users determine what camera, telescope, and mount is the best fit for them. A similar analysis is presented for entry-level telescopes and mounts sold as bundled packages by the telescope manufacturers. This book lifts the veil of mystery from the creation of deep space photographs and makes astrophotography affordable and accessible to most amateur astronomers.Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Short Review of Astronomy Basics.- Planetary and Lunar Imaging.- Very Short Exposure Astrophotography.- Computers.- Lightweight Altzimuth and Equatorial Mount Economics.- Altazimuth Astrophotography System.- Chapter 8: Astrophotography with a Lightweight Equatorial Mount.- Piggy-back Photography.- Astrophotography in Light-polluted Urban Areas.- DeepSky Stacker.- Processing Very Short Exposures.- Objects in the Night Sky to Photograph.- Portable Observatories.- How to Get 45 to 90 Second Exposures with a 4/5SE Mount.- How to Strengthen Tripods.- Index.

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Book SynopsisWith current technology, a voyage to Mars and back will take threeyears. That’s a lot of time for things to go wrong. But sooner or latera commercial enterprise will commit itself to sending humans to Mars.How will the astronauts survive? Some things to consider are:ith current technology, a voyage to Mars and back will take threeyears. That’s a lot of time for things to go wrong. But sooner or latera commercial enterprise will commit itself to sending humans to Mars.How will the astronauts survive? Some things to consider are:• Who decides what medical resources are used for whom?Who decides what medical resources are used for whom?• What is the relative weight of mission success and the health of thecrew?What is the relative weight of mission success and the health of thecrew?• Do we allow crewmembers to sacrifi ce their lives for the good of themission?Do we allow crewmembers to sacrifi ce their lives for the good of themission?• And what if a crewmember does perish? Do we store the body forreturn to Earth or give the member a burial in space?Questions like these, and hundreds of others, have been explored byscience fi ction, but scant attention has been paid by those designingmissions. Fortunately, the experience gained in polar exploration morethan 100 years ago provides crews and mission planners with a frameworkto deal with contingencies and it is this that forms the core of this book.Why the parallels between polar and space exploration? Because polarexploration offers a better analogy for a Mars mission today than thoseinvoked by the space community. Although astronauts are routinelycompared to Lewis and Clark, Mars-bound astronauts will be closer in theirroles to polar explorers. And, as much as space has been described as aNew Frontier, Mars bears greater similarity to the polar regions, which iswhy so much can be learned from those who ventured there.And what if a crewmember does perish? Do we store the body forreturn to Earth or give the member a burial in space?Questions like these, and hundreds of others, have been explored byscience fi ction, but scant attention has been paid by those designingmissions. Fortunately, the experience gained in polar exploration morethan 100 years ago provides crews and mission planners with a frameworkto deal with contingencies and it is this that forms the core of this book.Why the parallels between polar and space exploration? Because polarexploration offers a better analogy for a Mars mission today than thoseinvoked by the space community. Although astronauts are routinelycompared to Lewis and Clark, Mars-bound astronauts will be closer in theirroles to polar explorers. And, as much as space has been described as aNew Frontier, Mars bears greater similarity to the polar regions, which iswhy so much can be learned from those who ventured there.Table of ContentsExploration Mission Architectures.- Expedition Leadership.- Bioethics.- Launch and Outbound.- Approach and Landing.- Surviving.- Sacrifice and Death.- Inbound.- Return.

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Book SynopsisYou too can follow in the steps of the great astronomers such as Hipparchus, Galileo, Kepler and Hubble, who all contributed so much to our modern understanding of the cosmos. This book gives the student oramateur astronomer the following tools to replicate some of these seminal observations from their own homes: With your own eyes: Use your own observations and measurements to discover and confirm the phenomena of the seasons, the analemma and the equation of time, the logic behind celestial coordinates, and even the precession of the equinoxes. With a consumer-grade digital camera: Record the changing brightness of an eclipsing binary star and show that a pulsating star changes color as it brightens and dims. Add an inexpensive diffraction grating to your camera and see the variety of spectral features in the stars, and demonstrate that the Sun’s spectrum is similar to one particular type of stellar spectrum. With a backyard telescope: Add a CCD imager and you can measure the scale of the Solar System and the distance to a nearby star. You could even measure the distance to another galaxy and observe the cosmological redshift of the expanding universe. Astronomical Discoveries You Can Make, Too! doesn’t just tell you about the development of astronomy; it shows you how to discover for yourself the essential features of the universe.Trade Review“This is one of the most genuinely exciting new astronomy books I’ve seen in a long time. It shows you, for example, how you can use Galileo’s method to work out the height of mountains on the moon. … The time commitment and equipment requirements for each project are well set out, and the projects are well explained. … this book a treat for the armchair astronomer, but a real treasure trove for a team of committed explorers.” (Andy Sawers, Astronomy Now, February, 2016)Table of ContentsMotions and Positions in the Sky.- The Moon.- The Planets.- The Stars.- Astrophysics and Cosmology.- Appendices.

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Book SynopsisTitan is practically a planet in its own right, with a diameter similar to that of Mercury, methane rainstorms, organic soot and ethane seas. All of the most detailed knowledge on the moon's geology, volcanology, meteorology, marine sciences and chemistry are gathered together here to paint a factually accurate hypothetical future of early human colonization on this strange world.The views from Titan’s Mayda Outpost are spectacular, but all is not well at the moon's remote science base. On the shore of a methane sea beneath glowering skies, atmospherics researcher Abigail Marco finds herself in the middle of murder, piracy and colleagues who seem to be seeing sea monsters and dead people from the past. On the Shores of Titan’s Farthest Sea provides thrills, excitement and mystery – couched in the latest science – on one of the Solar System’s most bizarre worlds, Saturn’s huge moon Titan."This riveting story, set against a plausibly well integrated interplanetary space, carries us along with its bright and interesting characters. We feel absolutely transported to a hauntingly beautiful and alien Titan through Carroll's masterful weaving of art and science." – Jani Radebaugh, Professor of Planetary Sciences, Titan dune expert, BYU"It's a fun read! Really makes Titan come alive, literally..." – Astrophysicist and author Ralph Lorenz"Michael Carroll's new novel "On the Shores of Titan's Farthest Sea" (Springer) is a gripping, good-vs-evil tale that sparkles with imagination. It's set on the shores of Kraken Mare, the vast methane sea found high in the northern latitudes of Saturn's moon, Titan, in a future when humanity has spread throughout the solar system. The villains are wicked, the heroes are scientists (Thanks, Mike!), the story is convincing, the dialogue snappy, and the scenery is right out of our catalog of findings on this cold, hazy and alien world.If you fancy skipping forward 250 years and checking out how humankind might be navigating the very geography and landforms we have uncovered in our years touring Saturn, this book is for you!" --Carolyn Porco, leader of the Cassini Imaging Science team and the Director of the Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations (CICLOPS) at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado Trade Review Table of Contents

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Book SynopsisThis updated second edition has all of the information needed for your successful forays into deep sky observing. Coe uses his years of experience to give detailed practical advice about how to find the best observing site, how to make the most of the time spent there, and what equipment and instruments to take along. There are comprehensive lists of deep sky objects of all kinds, along with Steve's own observations describing how they look through telescopes with apertures ranging from 4 inches to 36 inches (0.1 - 0.9 meters).Binocular observing also gets its due, while the lists of objects have been amended to highlight only the best targets. A new index makes finding targets easier than ever before, while the selection of viewing targets has been revised from the first edition. Most of all, this book is all about how to enjoy astronomy. The author's enthusiasm and sense of wonder shine through every page as he invites you along on a tour of some of the most beautiful and fascinating sites in the deep sky, with the improved object list making sure your choice of a faint cluster, hazy nebula or distant galaxy will all be equally rewarding.Trade Review“The definitive guide to observing deep sky objects such as globular clusters, galaxies, planetary nebulae and supernova remnants. … it gives answers to lots of practical questions that you haven't even realized you wanted to know such as why you should invite other people to observe with you, or share your hobby with others, or how could a computer be helpful with deep sky objects.” (AstroMadness.com, December, 2016)“This is a book aimed at fairly serious stargazers, even though the tone and some chapters seem suited for beginners. … Summing Up: Recommended. Professionals and practitioners.” (D. J. Van Domelen, Choice, Vol. 54 (3), November, 2016)Table of ContentsWho Can Benefit from This Book?.- Why Should You Listen to Me?.- How Do I Find the Best Observing Site?.- How Do I Maximize My Time While Observing?.- What Other Accessories Are Useful?.- Why Should I Take Notes While Observing?.- How Can I Find All These Deep-Sky Goodies when the Sky is So Huge?.- Any Other Tips?.- What Can I Observe in Galaxies Beyond the Milky Way?.- What Can I Observe in a Cluster of Galaxies?.- What Are All These Different Types of Nebulae, and What Details Can I See in Them with My Telescope?.- What Can Be Seen Within Planetary Nebulae?.- What Can Be Seen in an Open Star Cluster?.- What Can Be Observed in Globular Clusters?.- Why Would I Want to Use Binoculars to View the Sky?.- How Can I Use a Computer to Help Me Enjoy Deep-Sky Observing?.- Why Should I Set Up the Scope for a Public Viewing Session?.- Which Books on Astronomy Should I Get?.- A Magical Evening.

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsDie Vorgeschichte der Entdeckung.- Die Gravitationstheorie Einsteins.- Die Physiker sagen das Schwarze Loch voraus.- Die Zeit verlangsamt ihren Lauf.- Die Himmelsmechanik im Schwerefeld eines Schwarzen Loches.- Der Lichtstrahl im Schwerefeld eines Schwarzen Loches.- Gesichtslose Schwarze Löcher.- Das rotierende Schwarze Loch.- Ein Schwarzes Loch wird niemals kleiner.- Kann man Energie aus nichtrotierenden Schwarzen Löchern erhalten?.- Die „Gravitationsbombe“.- Was ereignet sich innerhalb eines Schwarzen Loches?.- Nichts ist einfacher und nichts komplizierter als Schwarze Löcher.- Schwarze Löcher müssen im Weltall existieren.- Wieviel Schwarze Löcher gibt es in der Galaxis?.- Wie sucht man Schwarze Löcher?.- Die mögliche Entdeckung eines Schwarzen Loches.- „Supermassive“ Schwarze Löcher.- Schwarze Minilöcher und Weiße Löcher.- Teilchenerzeugung im Vakuum.- Schwarze Löcher existieren nicht ewig!.- Was strahlt ein Schwarzes Loch aus?.- Der Entstehungsprozeß primordialer Schwarzer Löcher.- Gibt es primordiale Schwarze Löcher im All?.- Schwarze Super-Minilöcher.- Schlußbetrachtung.

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Book SynopsisDescribes the branch of astronomy in which processes in the universe are investigated with experimental methods employed in particle-physics experiments. After a historical introduction the basics of elementary particles, Explains particle interactions and the relevant detection techniques, while modern aspects of astroparticle physics are described in a chapter on cosmology. Provides an orientation in the field of astroparticle physics that many beginners might seek and appreciate because the underlying physics fundamentals are presented with little mathematics, and the results are illustrated by many diagrams. Readers have a chance to enter this field of astronomy with a book that closes the gap between expert and popular level.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews: "In astroparticle physics techniques known from particle physics experiments are applied to investigate the universe … . Grupen presents an introduction and overview of the main ideas and concepts of this rapidly growing field of research. Written in a very clear and readable fashion it is accessible to a broad audience. … is enriched with many diagrams and illustrations, increasing the readability of the text. … Grupen’s book is really a must-have for anyone looking for a good starting point in … astroparticle physics." (Michael Tytgat, Physicalia, Vol. 28 (4-6), 2006) "Astroparticle Physics is a timely attempt to describe the status of a booming field at the interface of astrophysics, particle physics, and cosmology that has produced so many exciting results over the past few years. The format of the book, with the wide margin for keywords and figures, the extensive glossary, and the problems for each section (with detailed solutions), make it very readable and provide a good starting point for undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in astroparticle physics." (Johannes Knapp, The Observatory, Vol. 126 (1192), 2006) "This book … covers a wide range and requires a good grounding in modern physics to be useful. … Included are a mathematical appendix and an appendix on the results from statistical physics necessary to understand the thermodynamics of the early universe. These additions make the book a good introduction to this rapidly moving subject. Each chapter offers problems with solutions, and a 26-page comprehensive index and references are included. A very useful book for the right reader. Summing Up: Recommended." (K. W. Ogilvie, CHOICE, March, 2006) "Claus Grupen provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the main ideas and terminology of the study of elementary particles originating from astrophysical objects. … The style and presentation of the material make the book accessible to a broad audience … . A good selection of simple exercises with solution increases its pedagogical value and makes it suitable as a textbook for an undergraduate course. Non-specialists who want to follow the main issues of current research in the field … also benefit from Grupen’s book." (Marcello Lissia, CERN Courier, Vol. 46 (1), 2006) "In the present context, Astroparticle Physics consists of the studies of charged cosmic rays, neutrinos, gamma rays, X-rays and cosmology. … The index is magnificent and there is a good, relevant, mathematical appendix plus a glossary of terms which is actually useful. Best of all, there are worthwhile problems at the end of each chapter, complete with full solutions at the end of the book. … this is a well written, well produced, text for a new field at a reasonable price." (Roger Clay, Australian Physics, Vol. 42 (5), 2005)Table of ContentsHistorical Introduction.- The Standard Model of Elementary Particles.- Kinematics and Cross Sections.- Physics of Particle and Radiation Detection.- Acceleration Mechanisms.- Primary Cosmic Rays.- Secondary Cosmic Rays.- Cosmology.- The Early Universe.- Big Bang Nucleosynthesis.- The Cosmic Microwave Background.- Inflation.- Dark Matter.- Astrobiology.- Outlook.- Solutions.

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Book SynopsisIn the third edition a number of minor misprints that appeared in the second edition have have been corrected. Furthermore, 17 new problems have been added, at the end of chapters 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14. The answers to these 17 problems have not been listed in the 'Answers' section at the end of the book. This will permit the problems to be used as hand-in problems or perhaps in mid-term exams. JMK €9 PGH Copenhagen May 2000 Preface to the Second Edition In the second edition, a number of misprints that appeared in the first edition have been corrected. In addition to this, we have made improvements based on the experience gathered in the use of the first English edition of the book in the introductory course in physics at the University of Copenhagen. A chapter introducing nonlinear dynamics has been added. The purpose of this chapter is to provide supplementary reading for the students who are interested in this area of active research, where Newtonian mechanics plays an essential role. The students who wish to dig deeper, should consult texts dedicated to the study of nonlinear dynamical systems and chaos. The literature list at the end of this book contains several references for the topic.Trade ReviewThis book provides an excellent introduction to Newtonian mechanics at an undergraduate level, it is used at University of Copenhague. All the classical topics are presented in a very clear way an discussed with many physicaI examples. The book is divided in 16 chapters and contains more than 100 problerns, of various difficulties, with solutions. It's pedagogical conception is absolutely remarkable, all concepts are carefully introduced and physically discussed with mamy details. Foundation of classical mechanics is first introduced and commented on many problems like acceleration of gravity, circular motion or conmunication satellite. Next chapter is devoted to Newton's laws of motion, more than 30 pages of the book contains examples, on direct applications of these law, from: various fields of physics. Gravitational and inertial mass are discussed in the next chapter and is followed by the concept of Galilei transformation. The next three chapters examine the problem of motion respectively of the Earth, in accelerated reference frames and at the kinematic and dynamic point of view. Energy, Center-of Mass and angular momentum theorem are analysed with some details in chapters 8-10. The problem of rigid body including the motion of the planets and the Kepler Iaws are presented and discussed with great attention. The book ends with the important problem of harmonic oscillators and some remarks on non-linear dynamics. In conclusion I warmly recommend this book to everyone interesting in Newtonian mechanics.S. Metens. Physicalia, 2001/XXXVII/4 "The book presents an excellant description of basic principles of classical mechanics....This book can be useful not only to students, but also to specialists who teach the powerful methods of Newtonian mechanics and the imaginary Newton's world governed by laws of classical mechanics."-Zentralblatt MATHTable of Contents1. The Foundation of Classical Mechanics.- 1.1 Principia.- 1.2 Prerequisites for Newton.- 1.3 The Masterpiece.- The Acceleration of Gravity.- Circular Motion.- Communication Satellite.- Horizontal Throw.- The Gravitational Constant.- String Force.- Forces and Tension.- Dimensional Analysis.- 1.4 Concluding Remarks.- 1.5 Problems.- 2. Newton’s Five Laws.- 2.1 Newton’s Laws of Motion.- 2.2 Integration of the Equation of Motion.- Constant Force.- The Harmonic Oscillator.- Mass on a Spring in the Gravitational Field of Earth.- Sphere Falling Through a Liquid.- Solid Against Solid.- The Atwood Machine.- Force in Harmonic Motion.- Charged Particle in a Uniform Magnetic Field.- Thomson’s Experiment.- Work and Energy in Linear Motion of a Particle.- Free Fall Towards the Sun from a Great Distance.- Momentum Conservation.- Inelastic Collisions.- Rocket Propulsion.- Some Qualitative Remarks on Rocket Propulsion.- Ball Against a Wall.- 2.3 Problems.- 3. Gravitational and Inertial Mass.- 3.1 Gravitational Mass.- 3.2 Inertial Mass.- 3.3 Proportionality Between Inertial and Gravitational Mass.- 3.4 Newtonl’s Experiment.- The Satellite.- An Elevator in Free Fall.- Three Balls.- 3.5 Problem.- 4. The Galilei Transformation.- 4.1 The Galilei Transformation.- 4.2 Galileo Speaks.- Velocity Transformation.- 4.3 Problems.- 5. The Motion of the Earth.- 5.1 Examples.- Vectors and the Rotation of a Rigid Body.- Angular Velocities in the Solar System.- 5.2 Problems.- 6. Motion in Accelerated Reference Frames.- 6.1 Newton’s 2nd Law Within Accelerated Reference Frames.- 6.2 The Equivalence Principle of Mechanics.- 6.3 The Einstein Box.- Balloon in Accelerated Frame.- Mass on an Oscillating Plate.- Pendulum in an Elevator.- 6.4 The Centrifugal Force.- Earth’s Orbit Around the Sun.- Grass on a Rotating Disk.- The Variation of g with Latitude.- 6.5 Tidal Fields.- The Roche Limit.- 6.6 The Coriolis Force.- Coriolis Force on a Train.- Particle on a Frictionless Disc.- The Vertical Throw.- 6.7 Tidal Forces and Local Inertial Frames.- Global and Local Inertial Frames.- 6.8 The Foucault Pendulum.- 6.9 Newton’s Bucket.- 6.10 Review: Fictitious Forces.- 6.11 Problems.- 7. The Problem of Motion.- 7.1 Kinematic and Dynamic Views of the Problem of Motion.- 7.2 Einstein Speaks.- 7.3 Symmetry.- 7.4 The Symmetry (Invariance) of Newton’s 2nd Law.- 7.5 Limited Absolute Space.- 7.6 The Asymmetry (Variance) of Newton’s 2nd Law.- 7.7 Critique of the Newtonian View.- 7.8 Concluding Remarks.- 8. Energy.- 8.1 Work and Kinetic Energy.- 8.2 Conservative Force Fields.- 8.3 Central Force Fields.- 8.4 Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy.- 8.5 Calculation of Potential Energy.- Constant Gravitational Field.- Spring Force.- Gravity Outside a Homogeneous Sphere.- 8.6 The Gravitational Field Around a Homogeneous Sphere.- 8.6.1 The Field Around a Spherical Shell.- 8.6.2 A Solid Sphere.- 8.7 Examples.- Particle on a Frictionless Curve.- String Force in the Pendulum.- The Gravitational Potential Outside the Earth.- Potential Energy Due to Electric Forces.- A Tunnel Through the Earth.- The Asymmetry of Nature.- 8.8 Review: Conservative Forces and Potential Energy.- 8.9 Problems.- 9. The Center-of-Mass Theorem.- 9.1 The Center of Mass.- 9.2 The Center-of-Mass Frame.- 9.3 Examples.- Two Masses Connected with a Spring.- Inelastic Collisions.- The Collision Approximation.- Freely Falling Spring.- The Wedge.- 9.4 Review: Center of Mass and Center-of-Mass Theorems.- 9.5 Comments on the Conservation Theorems.- 9.6 Problems.- 10. The Angular Momentum Theorem.- 10.1 The Angular Momentum Theorem for a Particle.- 10.2 Conservation of Angular Momentum.- 10.3 Torque and Angular Momentum Around an Axis.- 10.4 The Angular Momentum Theorem for a System of Particles.- 10.5 Center of Gravity.- 10.6 Angular Momentum Around the Center of Mass.- 10.7 Review: Equations of Motion for a System of Particles.- 10.8 Examples of Conservation of Angular Momentum.- Particle in Circular Motion.- Rotation of Galaxies, Solar Systems, etc.- 11. Rotation of a Rigid Body.- 11.1 Equations of Motion.- 11.2 The Rotation Vector.- 11.3 Kinetic Energy of a Rotating Disk.- 11.3.1 The Parallel Axis Theorem.- 11.3.2 The Perpendicular Axis Theorem.- 11.4 Angular Momentum of an Arbitrary Rigid Body in Rotation Around a Fixed Axis.- 11.4.1 The Parallel Axis Theorem in General Form.- 11.5 Calculation of the Moment of Inertia for Simple Bodies.- 11.5.1 Homogenous Thin Rod.- 11.5.2 Circular Disk.- 11.5.3 Thin Spherical Shell.- 11.5.4 Homogenous (Solid) Sphere, Mass M and Radius R 248.- 11.5.5 Rectangular Plate 249.- 11.6 Equation of Motion for a Rigid Body Rotating Around a Fixed Axis.- 11.6.1 Conservation of Angular Momentum.- 11.7 Work and Power in the Rotation of a Rigid Body Around a Fixed Axis.- 11.7.1 Torsion Pendulum.- 11.8 The Angular Momentum Theorem Referred to Various Points.- 11.9 Examples.- Rotating Cylinder.- Falling Cylinder.- The Atwood Machine.- The Physical Pendulum.- The Rod.- 11.10 Review: Linear Motion and Rotation About a Fixed Axis. 266 11.11 Problems.- 12. The Laws of Motion.- 12.1 Review: Classical Mechanics.- 12.2 Remarks on the Three Conservation Theorems.- 12.3 Examples.- Conservation of Angular Momentum.- Rotating Rod.- Man on Disk.- The Sprinkler.- Rolling.- Yo- Yo on the Floor.- Rolling Over an Edge.- Determinism and Predictability.- 12.4 Problems.- 13. The General Motion of a Rigid Body.- 13.1 Inertia in Rotational Motion.- The Dumbbell.- Flywheel on an Axis.- Precession of a Gyroscope.- 13.2 The Inertia Tensor.- The Dumbbell Revisited.- 13.3 Euler’s Equations.- 13.3.1 Derivation of Euler’s Equations.- 13.4 Kinetic Energy.- 13.5 Determination of the Principal Coordinate System.- Rotating Dumbbell.- Flywheel.- The Gyroscope.- Gyroscope Supported at the Center of Mass.- The Earth as a Gyroscope.- 13.6 Problems.- 14. The Motion of the Planets.- 14.1 Tycho Brahe.- 14.2 Kepler and the Orbit of Mars.- 14.2.1 The Length of a Martian Year.- 14.2.2 The Orbit of the Planet Mars.- 14.2.3 Determination of Absolute Distance in the Solar System.- 14.3 Conic Sections.- 14.4 Newton’s Law of Gravity Derived from Kepler’s Laws.- 14.5 The Kepler Problem.- 14.5.1 Derivation of Kepler’s 3rd Law from Newton’s Law of Gravity.- 14.6 The Effective Potential.- 14.7 The Two-Body Problem.- 14.7.1 The Two-Body Problem and Kepler2019;s 3rd Law.- 14.8 Double Stars: The Motion of the Heliocentric Reference Frame.- 14.9 Review: Kepler Motion.- 14.10 Examples.- Planetary Orbits and Initial Conditions.- Shape and Size of Planetary Orbits.- Motion Near the Surface of the Earth.- Velocities in an Elliptical Orbit.- Hohman Orbit to Mars.- The Face of the Moon (Spin-Orbit Locking).- 14.11 Problems.- 15. Harmonic Oscillators.- 15.1 Small Oscillations.- 15.2 Energy in Harmonic Oscillators.- 15.3 Free Damped Oscillations.- 15.3.1 Weakly Damped Oscillations.- 15.3.2 Strongly Damped Oscillations.- 15.3.3 Critical Damping.- 15.4 Energy in Free, Weakly Damped Oscillations.- 15.5 Forced Oscillations.- 15.6 The Forced Damped Harmonic Oscillator.- 15.7 Frequency Characteristics.- 15.7.1 ? ? ?0: A Low Driving Frequency.- 15.7.2 ? ? ?0: A High Driving Frequency.- 15.7.3 ? ? ?0: Resonance.- 15.8 Power Absorption.- 15.9 The Q-Value of a Weakly Damped Harmonic Oscillator.- 15.10 The Lorentz Curve.- 15.11 Complex Numbers.- 15.12 Problems.- 16. Remarks on Nonlinearity and Chaos.- 16.1 Determinism vs Predictability.- 16.2 Linear and Nonliner Differential Equations.- Superposition.- 16.3 Phase Space.- The Simple Harmonic Oscillator.- Phase Space of the Pendulum.- Bifurcation in a Nonlinear Model.- 16.4 A Forced, Damped Nonlinear Oscillator.- 16.5 Liapunov Exponents.- 16.6 Chaos in the Solar System.- 16.7 Problems.- Appendix. Vectors and Vector Calculus.- Selected References.- Answers to Problems.

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Book SynopsisTerms such as "expanding Universe", "big bang", and "initial singularity", are nowadays part of our common language. The idea that the Universe we observe today originated from an enormous explosion (big bang) is now well known and widely accepted, at all levels, in modern popular culture. But what happens to the Universe before the big bang? And would it make any sense at all to ask such a question? In fact, recent progress in theoretical physics, and in particular in String Theory, suggests answers to the above questions, providing us with mathematical tools able in principle to reconstruct the history of the Universe even for times before the big bang. In the emerging cosmological scenario the Universe, at the epoch of the big bang, instead of being a "new born baby" was actually a rather "aged" creature in the middle of its possibly infinitely enduring evolution. The aim of this book is to convey this picture in non-technical language accessibile also to non-specialists. The author, himself a leading cosmologist, draws attention to ongoing and future observations that might reveal relics of an era before the big bang. Trade ReviewFrom the reviews: What happens to the big bang singularity within string theory? Did time have a beginning? These and other pre-eminent questions, whose implications go far beyond the boundaries of physics and even of science, lie at the forefront of today's research in theoretical particle physics and cosmology. Maurizio Gasperini succeeds in this book in drawing a thorough - yet very accessible and captivating - panorama of the various answers that have so far emerged to those basic questions, and of the cosmological observations which may soon allow a stringent test of our most advanced theoretical ideas. Gabriele Veneziano, Co-founder of String Theory "Gasperini … describes how string theory can be used to describe a pre-big-bang era that gives birth to a big bang, resolving dilemmas of standard cosmology and predicting a testable remnant of gravitational radiation that should pervade the universe now. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates." (M. Dickinson, Choice, Vol. 46 (7), March, 2009) "This book is both lucid and comprehensive. … the book’s basic material derives from the author’s university lectures and seminars, its stated aim now is to make the topic accessible to a readership with typically no more than a knowledge of high-school physics. … If you are interested in what String Theory has to offer cosmology, and are prepared to put some effort into finding out … this could be a useful text for you." (Dave Pike, The Observatory, Vol. 129 (1210), June, 2009) "This book grew out of a series of lectures and seminars held over several years in various Italian universities. … The book is addressed, in particular, to all those readers with at least a basic knowledge of physics … but not necessarily equipped with an academic scientific background. … this book is detailed enough to enable the reader to understand the most recent cosmological models, the key underlying ideas and how they can be tested using the experimental tools provided by current technology." (Roland Carchon, Belgian Physical Society Magazine, Issue 2, June, 2009)Table of ContentsGeneral Relativity and Standard Cosmology.- String Theory, Duality, And The Primordial Universe.- The Theory of Strings.- Inflation and the Birth of the Universe.- The Cosmological Background of Gravitational Radiation.- Other Relics of the Primordial Universe.- Quantum Cosmology.- The Future of our Universe.- Recent Developments: Brane Cosmology Scenarios.- Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisThis graduate-level, course-based text is devoted to the 3+1 formalism of general relativity, which also constitutes the theoretical foundations of numerical relativity. The book starts by establishing the mathematical background (differential geometry, hypersurfaces embedded in space-time, foliation of space-time by a family of space-like hypersurfaces), and then turns to the 3+1 decomposition of the Einstein equations, giving rise to the Cauchy problem with constraints, which constitutes the core of 3+1 formalism. The ADM Hamiltonian formulation of general relativity is also introduced at this stage. Finally, the decomposition of the matter and electromagnetic field equations is presented, focusing on the astrophysically relevant cases of a perfect fluid and a perfect conductor (ideal magnetohydrodynamics). The second part of the book introduces more advanced topics: the conformal transformation of the 3-metric on each hypersurface and the corresponding rewriting of the 3+1 Einstein equations, the Isenberg-Wilson-Mathews approximation to general relativity, global quantities associated with asymptotic flatness (ADM mass, linear and angular momentum) and with symmetries (Komar mass and angular momentum). In the last part, the initial data problem is studied, the choice of spacetime coordinates within the 3+1 framework is discussed and various schemes for the time integration of the 3+1 Einstein equations are reviewed. The prerequisites are those of a basic general relativity course with calculations and derivations presented in detail, making this text complete and self-contained. Numerical techniques are not covered in this book.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews:“The monograph originating from lectures is devoted to the 3+1 formalism in general relativity. It starts with three chapters on basic differential geometry, the geometry of single hypersurfaces embedded in space-time, and the foliation of space-time by a family of spacelike hypersurfaces. … With the attempt to make the text self-consistent and complete, the calculations are … detailed such that the book is well suitable for undergraduate and graduate students.” (Horst-Heino von Borzeszkowski, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1254, 2013)“This book is written for advanced students and researchers who wish to learn the mathematical foundations of various approaches that have been proposed to solve initial value problems (with constraints) for the Einstein equations numerically. … Even for experts it may be useful, as it includes an extensive bibliography up to 2011.” (Hans-Peter Künzle, Mathematical Reviews, January, 2013)Table of ContentsBasic Differential Geometry.- Geometry of Hypersurfaces.- Geometry of Foliations.- 3+1 decomposition of Einstein Equation.- 3+1 Equations for Matter and Electromagnetic Field.- Conformal Decompositon.- Asymptotic Flatness and Global Quantities.- The Initial Data Problem.- Choice of Foliation and Spatial Coordiinates.- Evolution Schemes.- Conformal Killing Operator and Conformal Vector Laplacian.- Sage Codes.

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Book SynopsisThis book is an abbreviated, partly re-written version of "Under the Radar - The First Woman in Radio Astronomy: Ruby Payne-Scott." It addresses a general readership interested in historical and sociological aspects of astronomy and presents the biography of Ruby Payne-Scott (1912 – 1981). As the first female radio astronomer (and one of the first people in the world to consider radio astronomy), she made classic contributions to solar radio physics. She also played a major role in the design of the Australian government's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research radars, which were in turn of vital importance in the Southwest Pacific Theatre in World War II. These radars were used by military personnel from Australia, the United States and New Zealand. From a sociological perspective, her career offers many examples of the perils of being a female academic in the first half of the 20th century. Written in an engaging style and complemented by many historical photographs, this book offers fascinating insights into the beginnings of radio astronomy and the role of a pioneering woman in astronomy. To set the scene, the first colourfully illustrated chapter presents an overview of solar astrophysics and the tools of the radio astronomer.From the reviews of “Under the Radar”:“This is a beautifully-researched, copiously-illustrated and well-written book that tells us much more than the life of one amazing female radio astronomer. It also provides a profile on radar developments during WWII and on Australia’s pre-eminent place in solar radio astronomy in the years following WWII. Under the Radar is compelling reading, and if you have taken the time to read right through this review then it certainly belongs on your bookshelf!” (Wayne Orchiston, Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, March, 2010)Trade ReviewFrom the reviews:“This book documents the history of the early days of radar astronomy in Australia and the scientific career of Ruby Payne-Scott. … For everyone else, I recommend reading Making Waves … . Printed in paperback, and with colour pictures, the book even looks easier to read.” (Kate Brooks, Historical Records of Australian Science, Vol. 25 (1), 2014)Table of ContentsA Brief, Basic Guide to Terms and Concepts of Solar Radio Astronomy.- Ruby Payne-Scott’s Ancestors and Her Early Childhood.- Ruby Payne-Scott’s Education and Early Employment.- Wartime Research by Ruby Payne-Scott at the Radiophysics Laboratory.- 1944-1945: Ruby Payne-Scott – The First Woman Radio Astronomer.- 1945-1946: Early Radio Astronomy at Dover Heights.- 1946-1947: Personal Tragedy and Professional Triumph.- 1948: Hornsby Field Station – Daily Observations.- 1949-1951: Radio Astronomy Blossoms as a Field, but Ruby Must Resign from the Radiophysics Laboratory.- 1952: Ruby Payne-Scott’s Last Experience as a Radio Astronomer at the International Union of Radio Science.- The Married Life and Motherhood of Ruby Payne-Scott.- 1963-1974: Employment at Danebank School.- The Last Years and Legacy of Ruby Payne-Scott.

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Book SynopsisFundamental Astronomy is a well-balanced, comprehensive introduction to classical and modern astronomy. While emphasizing both the astronomical concepts and the underlying physical principles, the text provides a sound basis for more profound studies in the astronomical sciences. This is the fifth edition of the successful undergraduate textbook and reference work. It has been extensively modernized and extended in the parts dealing with extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. You will also find augmented sections on the solar system and extrasolar planets as well as a new chapter on astrobiology. Long considered a standard text for physical science majors, Fundamental Astronomy is also an excellent reference work for dedicated amateur astronomers.Trade Review"For the book to reach the fourth edition, it must be hitting a niche in the market. The preface to the first edition in 1987 identifies that market as a ‘university textbook for a first course in astronomy’ which is also suited for serious amateurs who ‘find the popular texts too trivial’. In my opinion, that description from the original preface is ‘spot on’ and makes this volume a must-buy for any serious amateur looking for a comprehensive overview of matters astronomical." (Roger Feasey, Auckland Astronomical Society Journal, March 2004) "This work remains a most excellent textbook for the student as well as the dedicated amateur astronomer." (ORION 62/321, ) "If you are looking for a solid undergraduate text outlining the physics which underpins so much of modern astronomy then this book will be a very useful addition to your personal library." (Astronomy Now, May 2004) "… The wide range of expertise gives the book an authority that would be almost impossible for a single-author text ... There are other aids to the reader: worked examples ... starred sections in small print take the inquisitive reader beyond the general level of the book." (Nature) "… Unique among available texts and has so much to offer ... No one involved in astronomy teaching will want to be without a copy." (The Physics Teacher) "Gives a solid foundation to the basic ideas of astronomy in a clear and accessible fashion … Fundamental ideas are developed clearly and applied to real problems, and solutions are worked out." (Sky & Telescope) From the reviews of the fourth edition: "This book will well serve its readership which includes both undergraduate physical science and mathematics students … . covers all the important subjects of an introductory course in astronomy. … is beautifully illustrated with many black and white and color photographs, which will be most appealing … . they have produced a book that will prove useful for many years … . As such it is highly recommended … to the general reader who wants to be pleasantly and highly informed about astronomy." (Fernande Grandjean, Gary J. Long, Physicalia, Vol. 26(1), 2004) "The book remains a calculus-based textbook and reference source containing many exercises … for the proper comprehension of the subjects treated. … This work remains a most excellent textbook for the student as well as the dedicated amateur astronomer. … can considerably widen the vision of the student … ." (Noël Cramer, ORIAN-Zeitschrift der Schweizerischen Astronomischen Gesellschaft Vol. 62(321), 2004) "Fundamental Astronomy is both the title and an excellent description of the content … . is also suited for serious amateurs who "find the popular texts too trivial". In my opinion … this volume a must-buy for any serious amateur looking for a comprehensive overview of matters astronomical. … Its usefulness for education purposes is enhanced by worked examples in each section followed by exercises." (AAS Journal, March, 2004) "This is the 4th edition of this well known and well tested undergraduate-level text on astronomy. … All the derivations are well done and the problems selected for student work are interesting and will undoubtedly help the student in his or her studies. … if you are looking for a solid undergraduate text outlining the physics which underpins so much of modern astronomy then this book will be a very useful addition to your personal library." (Kevin P. Marshall, Astronomy Now, May, 2004) From the reviews of the fifth edition: “This textbook, suitable for a university first course in astronomy, is the outgrowth of a long and outstanding astronomical tradition in Finland, and the result of an extensive collaborative effort, which included also teaching and interaction with many people. … I highly recommend this book for class use … it will be useful for professionals as well.” (Bruno Bertotti, Prometeo, Vol. 24 (3-4), 2008)Table of ContentsSpherical Astronomy.- Observations and Instruments.- Photometric Concepts and Magnitudes.- Radiation Mechanisms.- Celestial Mechanics.- The Solar System.- Stellar Spectra.- Binary Stars and Stellar Masses.- Stellar Structure.- Stellar Evolution.- The Sun.- Variable Stars.- Compact Stars.- The Interstellar Medium.- Star Clusters and Associations.- The Milky Way.- Galaxies.- Cosmology.- Astrobiology.

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Book SynopsisDie Funktechnik ermöglicht die Ausweitung der astronomischen Beobachtungen über das Licht hinaus auf andere Frequenzbereiche. Dies führte zur Entdeckung zahlreicher kosmischer Radioquellen, deren physikalische Ursachen erläutert werden, ebenso die Funktionsweise eines Radioteleskops. Schon mit kleinen Radioteleskopen kann die Strahlung der Sonne und anderer Radioquellen sowie die 21-cm-Strahlung aus der Milchstraße beobachtet werden. Durch Interferometrie kann eine wesentlich höhere Auflösung als mit einzelnen Radioteleskopen erzielt werden. Dadurch kann die radioastronomische Forschung zu vielen aktuellen Fragen der Astronomie, Kosmologie und Physik beitragen.

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Book SynopsisAstronomie mit dem PC vermittelt dem Leser eine fundierte Einführung in die Welt der himmelsmechanischen Berechnungen, die für die astronomische Beobachtungspraxis von besonderer Bedeutung sind.Von den theoretischen Grundlagen der Astronomie und Numerik bis zur Erstellung schneller und präziser Anwendungsprogramme vermittelt das Buch die notwendigen Kenntnisse und Softwarelösungen für die Bestimmung und Vorhersage von:- Positionen der Sonne, des Mondes und der Planeten- Auf- und Untergangszeiten- physischen Ephemeriden der Sonne und der großen Planeten- Kometen- und Kleinplanetenpositionen (mit Störungen)- Mondphasen- Zentrallinie und lokalen Umständen von Sonnenfinsternissen - Sternbedeckungen durch den Mond- Bahnelementen aus drei Beobachtungen (auch mehrere Lösungen)- Koordinaten aus Himmelsaufnahmen. Die Verwendung der weitverbreiteten objektorientierten Programmiersprache CC++ ermöglicht die effiziente Realisierung eigener Anwendungen auf der Basis einer leistungsfähigen Modul-Bibliothek. Die Begleit-CD enthält neben den vollständigen, ausgiebig dokumentierten und kommentierten Quelltexten auch die ausführbaren Programme - damit können Leser ohne Programmierkenntnisse alle im Buch beschriebenen Programme ebenfalls nutzen. Zusätzlich befinden sich zwei Sternkataloge (Position und Proper Motion Katalog und Zodialkatalog) sowie die Lowell-Datenbank aktueller Kleinplaneten-Bahnelemente auf der CD, die den Nutzwert der entsprechenden Programme weiter erhöhen. Die vorliegende 4. Auflage stellt, neben einigen Überarbeitungen der Texte und Bilder, die ausführbaren Programme für die Betriebssysteme Windows 98/2000/XP und LINUX sowie die akualisierten Kataloge und Datenbanken zur Verfügung.Table of ContentsEinführung.- Koordinatensysteme.- Auf- und Untergangsrechnung.- Kometenbahnen.- Störungsrechnung.- Planetenbahnen.- Physische Planetenephemeriden.- Die Mondbahn.- Sonnenfinsternisse.- Sternbedeckungen.- Bahnbestimmung.- Astrometrie.

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Book SynopsisNow is the time to fly to space! New technological developments, commercialisation of spaceflight and advances in space medicine have made human space travel more attainable than ever before.This entertaining but nevertheless authoritative book gives a practical introduction to space travel from a number of viewpoints: How spacecraft are built, how to steer and navigate them, instructions for a comfortable everyday life in space and a guide to remain healthy and strong in weightlessness. The Spacefarer's Handbook is full of advice, tips and anecdotes to prepare the reader for their own trip to space. At the same time, it does not lose the scientific perspective on spaceflight. The authors, a physicist and a space medicine specialist, explain the underlying concepts rigorously and include recent research findings. From the operating principles of rocket engines, via bone loss in weightlessness to the methane lakes of Titan, this book contains everything aspiring spacefarers need to know! It also serves as a very good resource, beyond general space enthusiasts, for science fiction readers & writers who are looking for a better foundation in space flight."Highly recommended for everyone who wants to fly to space and all passengers of our mothership Earth!"Hans Schlegel, ESA AstronautTrade Review“This book is intended as a general introduction to space travel for anyone contemplating such an adventure. Each chapter provides a general summary of the main topics that any non-professional astronaut might want to learn more about. … this is a well-written, useful — and sometimes light-hearted — introduction for anyone who wants to know more about humanity’s efforts to leave planet Earth.” (Peter Bond, The Observatory, Vol. 141 (1284), October, 2021)“Their book is presented in a breezy, refreshing style, and is an acceptable read even for knowledgeable people. … The book also has some interesting anecdotes.” (‪John Silvester, Spaceflight, Vol. 63, August, 2021)“If you have a question about going into space, and surviving once you’re there, then this book needs to be on your shelf as soon as possible.” (Stuart Atkinson, Popular Astronomy, popastro.com, July-August 2021)“I can’t remember when a book exceeded my expectations quite as much as this one did. … the book has an affordable, far from academic-level price tag – so it’s highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the finer points of human spaceflight.” (Popular Science, popsciencebooks.blogspot.com, May 5, 2021)Table of Contents1. How to Become a Spacefarer.- 2. Building Spacecraft.- 3. How to Fly a Spacecraft.- 4. Daily Life in Space.- 5. Space Medicine.- 6. Exploration and Colonisation.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisL'opera è una biografia di Galileo Galilei che mette a fuoco soprattutto i suoi rapporti con le arti (musica, disegno, pittura) e la letteratura (poesia e prosa) e cerca di dimostrare come ci sia stata una continua osmosi tra lo scienziato, l'artista e il critico d'arte. È grazie a questa osmosi che Galileo è diventato sia il pioniere della scienza moderna sia un grande scrittore della letteratura italiana.Table of ContentsLa nascita.- La musica, ai tempi di Vincenzio Galilei.- Vincenzio a Firenze.- Galileo a Pisa.- Novizio in monastero.- Sfida a Zarlino.- Ritorno a Pisa.- L’incontro con Ostilio Ricci. E Ludovico Cardi, detto il Cigoli.- Un giovane matematico, disoccupato.- Galileo, critico letterario/1.- Il primo approccio, in note, a un nuovo metodo.- Professore a Pisa.- Galileo, critico letterario/2 e scrittore.- Li diciotto anni migliori della sua età.- Un artista toscano a Padova.- La stella nova.- Un annuncio sidereo.- L’avviso di un artista.- Nuovi progetti.- Galileo superstar.- «Vicisti, Galilaee!».- Galileo, matematico e filosofo a Firenze.- Il trionfo romano.- Convertire la Chiesa.- La stagione delle lettere teologiche.- Il più grande scrittore della letteratura italiana.- La condanna.- L’ultima poesia.

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