The Dimming of Starlight

The Dimming of Starlight
Author: Gonzalo Munevar
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2023-08-15
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0197689914

Galileo and Kepler dreamed of the possibility of space exploration, although its reality was later underappreciated and even challenged by social, ideological, and scientific critics as a diversion from our problems on Earth. The Dimming of Starlight tells the fascinating stories of how space exploration places us in unusual situations that force us to come up with new ideas about nature. This strong connection between scientific exploration and scientific change makes us aware of a new panorama of problems, dangers, and opportunities that leads to new solutions and technologies that would have been unimaginable under old perspectives. Thus, the exploration of Venus led to the discovery of the destruction of Earth's Ozone layer. This discovery will save hundreds of millions of lives in the coming centuries. As we explore space, we learn to protect our planet from catastrophe, and all the while we change drastically our ideas about the nature of the universe. With its account of serendipity and splendor, the book invites readers on an exciting journey in which, step by step, we are shown the crucial importance of space exploration for humanity.

Exercises in Practical Astronomy

Exercises in Practical Astronomy
Author: M.T Buck
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 108
Release: 2017-11-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1351449338

Offering a series of well-defined problems supplemented by solutions, Exercises in Practical Astronomy: Using Photographs presents meaningful practical work in elementary astronomy and astrophysics. The book provides authentic astronomical photographs of very high quality on which different types of objects can be studied with equipment as simple as rulers and protractors. In addition to photographs and a set of exercises that cover 12 topics, the coverage includes ample hints and worked solutions that are designed to enable students to work independently. SI units are used for physical data and in conversions of astronomical quantities. This book is one of the few to use real rather than idealized or simplified data in the problems.

Challenges of Astronomy

Challenges of Astronomy
Author: W. Schlosser
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 244
Release: 2013-11-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 146124434X

A unique collection of thirty experiments ranging from ancient astronomy to cosmology, each containing one or more challenges for the reader. The progression here is from the Earth outward through the solar system to the stellar and galactic realm. Topics include the shape of the sky; Stonehenge as a stone-age abacus; determining the size of the Earth; the distance of the moon, stars and planets; planetary mass, density, temperature and atmosphere; the speed of light; the nature of the quiet and active sun; photometry and spectroscopy; star clusters and variable stars; and fundamental properties of stars.

Planet Hunter

Planet Hunter
Author: Vicki O. Wittenstein
Publisher:
Total Pages: 49
Release: 2010
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1590785924

He has discovered more planets than anyone in history. In this inspiring true story, winner of the American Institute of Physics Award, Geoff Marcy's love of space helped him overcome struggles in his studies until finally he became an astronomer. But he was not on track to make major discoveries. Eventually, he went back to the questions that thrilled him as a boy: Are we alone? Do Earth-like planets orbit the stars in the night sky? It would not be easy to find a planet outside our solarsystem. Others had tried and failed. But Marcy never gave up. Since 1995, he and his colleagues have discovered nearly half of the 380 known "extrasolar" planets. Stunning paintings transport the reader to the exotic worlds that he and others have found.

Where Did We Come From?: Life Of An Astrobiologist

Where Did We Come From?: Life Of An Astrobiologist
Author: Nalin Chandra Wickramasinghe
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 237
Release: 2015-02-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9814641421

The life story of this book spans many stages of the life and scientific career of one of the foremost astrophysicists/astrobiologists of our times. Starting from his boyhood days, the book describes the author's scientific work over the past 50 years, the ground-breaking discoveries he had made, the controversies generated in the scientific community, and the gradual acceptance of his discoveries. Written in lucid non-technical language it captures the essence of the author's research at Cambridge, his lifelong collaborations with the legendary astronomer of the 20th century, Sir Fred Hoyle, the birth of the subject of astrobiology which they arguably 'invented' in 1980, and his continuing ground-breaking research carried out while he was a Professor at Cardiff and later at Buckingham. The book traces the various influences that guided the author through his career, including that of his father who was a Cambridge Wrangler, and the profound influence of Buddhism in his early life.The author has published over 25 books and close to 300 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, over 60 of which were in the journal Nature.

The Origin of Stars

The Origin of Stars
Author: Michael David Smith
Publisher: Imperial College Press
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2004
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781860945014

Whre do stars come from and how do they form? These are profound questions which link the nature of our Universe to the roots of mankind. Yet, until a recent revolution in understanding, the proposed answers have been raw speculation. Now, accompanying penetrating observations, a new picture has come into prominence. This book presents the latest astounding observations and scientific ideas covering star formation, star birth and early development. It encompasses all aspects, from the dramatic stories of individual objects, to the collective influence of entire stellar systems. The very first stars to come into existence and the nurturing of planets are discussed to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview. Presenting background information with only the essential mathematics, this book will appeal to scientists wishing to expand their horizons, students seeking solid foundations, and general readers with enquiring minds.

Astrochemistry

Astrochemistry
Author: David A Williams
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
Total Pages: 251
Release: 2023-02-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1839169397

Ever wondered if the chemical processes taking place in space could be related to the origins of life? The authors of this book, both experienced astrochemists, embark on a discussion to find the answers to this question and more, and include a general introduction to astrochemistry for chemistry students. They explore chemistry occurring in the universe from its very early beginnings until the present era. Based on our current understanding, astrochemistry is known to occur in interstellar gas, on dust grains and in interstellar ices, in stellar atmospheres and envelopes, in dense star- and planet-forming regions, and on planets and other bodies in planetary systems. Recent observational discoveries supported by remarkable laboratory work emphasize chemical complexity, leading to answers to the tantalizing question: can this complexity be related to the origin of life? This book provides the tools to enable chemistry students to make their own computational investigations of astrochemistry and directs study across the chemical sciences and astronomy. Concentrating on fundamental processes, this book is a useful teaching aid.

An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics

An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics
Author: Bradley W. Carroll
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 1361
Release: 2017-09-07
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1108390242

An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics is a comprehensive, well-organized and engaging text covering every major area of modern astrophysics, from the solar system and stellar astronomy to galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, and cosmology. Designed to provide students with a working knowledge of modern astrophysics, this textbook is suitable for astronomy and physics majors who have had a first-year introductory physics course with calculus. Featuring a brief summary of the main scientific discoveries that have led to our current understanding of the universe; worked examples to facilitate the understanding of the concepts presented in the book; end-of-chapter problems to practice the skills acquired; and computational exercises to numerically model astronomical systems, the second edition of An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics is the go-to textbook for learning the core astrophysics curriculum as well as the many advances in the field.

Space 101, Astronomy in Simple Words

Space 101, Astronomy in Simple Words
Author: Halim Ashkar
Publisher: Halim Ashkar
Total Pages: 230
Release: 2024-04-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 2959169301

Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has turned its eyes to the skies, seeking to unravel the mysteries of our existence: Why is the sky blue? Why do stars twinkle? What are black holes? What are dark matter and dark energy? How did it all begin, and how will it all end? With questions in mind, this book provides answers. If any questions remain, it will guide you to the frontier of our ignorance, to the very edge of what we know. Our journey begins close to home, exploring the solar system and neighboring planets. We will then venture into deep space, exploring stars and alien worlds. Afterward, we will take a tour of our galaxy, then leap to distant galaxies and the far reaches of the Universe. Through our exploration, we will unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, gaining a deep understanding of our place in the vast expanse of space and time. Why "Space 101"? This is not a dense academic book. No advanced degree is required. It is a gateway to the wonders of astronomy for anyone with a curious mind. Think of "Space 101" as your starting point—a fundamental guide to the inspiring realm of space, designed to broaden your perspective on the Universe and ignite your curiosity. Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has turned its eyes to the skies, seeking to unravel the mysteries of our existence: Why is the sky blue? Why do stars twinkle? What are black holes? What are dark matter and dark energy? How did it all begin, and how will it all end? If you have questions, this book has answers. It will lead you to the frontier of our ignorance, to the very edge of what we know. Our journey begins close to home, exploring the solar system and neighboring planets. We will then venture into deep space, exploring stars and alien worlds. Afterward, we will take a tour of our galaxy, then leap to distant galaxies and the far reaches of the Universe. Through our exploration, we will unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, revealing how we discover them while gaining a deep understanding of our place in the vast expanse of space and time. Why "Space 101"? This is not a dense academic book. No advanced degree is required. It is a gateway to the wonders of astronomy for anyone with a curious mind. Think of "Space 101" as your starting point—a basic guide designed to broaden your perspective on the Universe and ignite your curiosity.

The Astronomy Revolution

The Astronomy Revolution
Author: Donald G. York
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 438
Release: 2016-04-19
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1439836019

Some 400 years after the first known patent application for a telescope by Hans Lipperhey, The Astronomy Revolution: 400 Years of Exploring the Cosmos surveys the effects of this instrument and explores the questions that have arisen out of scientific research in astronomy and cosmology. Inspired by the international New Vision 400 conference held