Book:
From Quarks to Black Holes: Interviewing the UniverseAuthor:
Richard T.HammondPages:
189Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
9810246250I must admit that the idea of interviewing natural objects was not my own, and in fact would have thought it to be quite impossible, had it not been for a conversation I struck up with a carbon atom. As she told me of her spectacular creation in a remote part of the Universe, her incredible release in a supernova explosion, and her experiences on Earth, I could barely contain my excitement. It took me a while to reach a quasi equilibrium, but when I did I found myself furiously jotting down notes. It was such a wonderful experience I could not suppress the desire to recapture the moment, and to my glee, found an electron, who was much younger, equally willing to share his experiences about his creation in the upper atmosphere, his adventures in household appliances, and his hair-raising brush with a;nnihilation in an accelerator. I jumped at the chance when Jupiter volunteered for an interview, although was taken unawares at his unhappy nature, still brooding at his inability to have been a star. 
Book:
Mathematical Quantum Aspects of Relativity and CosmologyAuthor:
S.Cotsakis, G.W.GibbonsPages:
251Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
3540668659This book is written in a pedagogical style intelligible for graduate students. It reviews recent progress in black-hole and wormhole theory and in mathematical cosmology within the framework of Einstein's field equations and beyond, including quantum effects. This collection of essays, written by leading scientists of long standing reputation, should become an indispensable source for future research.
Book:
Stars (Science Matters)Author:
Jonathan BocknekPages:
24Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
1590360877When a puddle dries up, where does all the water go? The science matters series provides a compelling introduction to key science topics, explaining concepts in a format that encourages reading and comprehension. Each title introduces a core science topic through visual diagrams, hands-on experiments, and fascinating biographies, all engagingly written.
Book:
Planets (Science Matters)Author:
Michelle LombergPages:
24Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
1590360869Provides information about the planets in the solar system, listing facts about planet sizes, names, orbits, moons, and composition, and discussing how the planets are observed and studied.Contents:Studying planets
Planets in the past
Planet parts
Planets on the move
solar system map
Planet people
Planet probes
Peeking at planets
Surfing our solar system
Science in action
What have you learned?
Book:
Physics of the UniverseAuthor:
Mendel SachsPages:
148Format:
pdfLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
1848165323Thiis book presents a new approach to the subject of cosmology. It fully exploits Einstein's theory of general relativity. It is found that the most general formal expression of the theory replaces the (10-component) tensor formalism with a (16-component) quaternion formalism. This leads to a unified field theory, where one field incorporates gravitation and electromagnetism. The theory predicts an oscillating universe cosmology with a spiral configuration. Dark matter is explained in terms of a sea of particle antiparticle pairs, each in a particular (derived) ground state. This leads to an explanation for the separation between matter and antimatter in the universe. There is a brief discussion of black holes and pulsars. The final chapter delves into philosophical considerations such as the different types of truth , positivism versus realism and a discussion of the role of the Mach principle in physics and cosmology.
Book:
Talking about Life: Conversations on AstrobiologyAuthor:
Chris ImpeyPages:
1Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
0521514924With over 500 planets now known to exist beyond the Solar System, spacecraft heading for Mars, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, this timely book explores current ideas about the search for life in the Universe. It contains candid interviews with dozens of astronomers, geologists, biologists, and writers about the origin and range of terrestrial life and likely sites for life beyond Earth. The interviewees discuss what we've learnt from the missions to Mars and Titan, talk about the search for Earth clones, describe the surprising diversity of life on Earth, speculate about post-biological evolution, and explore what contact with intelligent aliens will mean to us. Covering topics from astronomy and planetary science to geology and biology, this book will fascinate anyone who has ever wondered 'Are we alone?'
Book:
The Moon (Science Matters)Author:
Pat YorkPages:
24Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
1590360885When a puddle dries up, where does all the water go? The science matters series provides a compelling introduction to key science topics, explaining concepts in a format that encourages reading and comprehension. Each title introduces a core science topic through visual diagrams, hands-on experiments, and fascinating biographies, all engagingly written.
Book:
Astronomy (SparkCharts)Author:
SparkNotes EditorsPages:
6Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
1586636375SparkChartsTM—created by Harvard students for students everywhere—serve as study companions and reference tools that cover a wide range of college and graduate school subjects, including Business, Computer Programming, Medicine, Law, Foreign Language, Humanities, and Science. Titles like How to Study, Microsoft Word for Windows, Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, and HTML give you what it takes to find success in school and beyond. Outlines and summaries cover key points, while diagrams and tables make difficult concepts easier to digest.
This six-page chart covers:Light, motion, and the astronomical scale
Earth-Moon-Sun system
Planetary science, including terrestrial, Jovian, and extra-solar planets
Extras of the solar system such as comets, meteorites, and asteroids
The formation of the solar system
Our Sun and stars as suns
Extragalactic astronomy, including galaxies and cosmology
Book:
An Introduction to Radiative TransferAuthor:
Annamaneni PeraiahPages:
496Format:
pdfLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
0521779898Astrophysicists have developed several very different methodologies for solving the radiative transfer equation. An Introduction to Radiative Transfer applies these techniques to stellar atmospheres, planetary nebulae, supernovae, and other objects with similar geometrical and physical conditions. Accurate methods, fast methods, probabilistic methods and approximate methods are all explained, including the latest and most advanced techniques. The book includes the different techniques used for computing line profiles, polarization due to resonance line scattering, polarization in magnetic media and similar phenomena.
Book:
Aperture Synthesis: Methods and Applications to Optical AstronomyAuthor:
Swapan K. SahaPages:
468Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
144195709XThis book deals with the fundamentals of stellar interferometry with emphasis on aperture synthesis using sparse array of telescopes particularly at optical/IR wavelengths, the origin, properties, and optical effects of turbulence in the Earth's atmosphere, techniques developed to overcome image degradation. Studded with more than one hundred and fifty illustrations and tens of footnotes, it addresses the basic tricks of trade, current trend, motivation, methods, and path to future promise of true interferometry both from the ground and space. Also discussed are the technical challenge involved, such as beam transportation and recombination, detecting fringes using modern sensors, and image synthesis. Astronomical science that benefits from aperture synthesis imaging are highlighted as well.
Book:
The Power of Stars: How Celestial Observations Have Shaped CivilizationAuthor:
Bryan E. PenprasePages:
348Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
1441968024What are some of the connections that bind us to the stars? How have these connections been established? And how have people all around the world and throughout time reacted to the night sky, the sun and moon, in their poetry, mythology, rituals, and temples? This book explores the influence of the sky on both ancient and modern civilization, by pring a clear overview of the many ways in which humans have used the stars as an ordering principle in their cultures, and which today still inspire us intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. The book explores constellation lore from around the world, celestial alignments of monuments and temples, both from ancient and modern civilizations, and the role the sky has played in the cultures of the Greek, Egyptian, Babylonian, Native American, Chinese, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca. Models of the universe from each of these cultures are described clearly, and each culture’s explanation of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects are described. The roots of astronomy and astrology are presented with original imagery and reproductions of ancient manuscripts that portray the structure of the physical universe as conceived by a diverse array of human cultures over the centuries. Our own scientific Big Bang cosmology and the origin of stars and elements are discussed in a philosophical context, to explore how we as modern people learn about the Universe, and incorporate the findings of science into our world views. A concluding chapter pres a summary of modern science's effort to unlock the celestial secrets from the sky and from past civilizations, and what these answers mean for us today.
Book:
Physical Foundations of CosmologyAuthor:
Viatcheslav MukhanovPages:
421Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
0521563984Inflationary cosmology has been developed over the last twenty years to remedy serious shortcomings in the standard hot big bang model of the universe. Taking an original approach, this textbook explains the basis of modern cosmology and shows where the theoretical results come from. The book is divided into two parts; the first deals with the homogeneous and isotropic model of the Universe, the second part discusses how inhomogeneities can explain its structure. Established material such as the inflation and quantum cosmological perturbation are presented in great detail.
Book:
Solar System DynamicsAuthor:
Carl D. Murray, Stanley F. DermottPages:
1Format:
pdfLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
0521575974The force of gravity acting over eons has provided the solar system with an intricate dynamical structure, much of it revealed by recent space missions. This comprehensive introduction to the dynamical features of the solar system also provides all the mathematical tools and physical models needed for a complete understanding of the subject. Clearly written and well illustrated coverage shows how a basic knowledge of the two- and three-body problems and perturbation theory can be combined to understand features as diverse as the tidal heating of Jupiter's moon Io, the origin of the Kirkwood gaps in the asteroid belt, and the radial structure of Saturn's rings. Problems at the end of each chapter and a free Internet Mathematica® software package help students to fully develop their understanding of the subject. This volume provides an authoritative textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on planetary dynamics and celestial mechanics. It also equips students with the mathematical tools to tackle broader courses on dynamics, dynamical systems, applications of chaos theory and nonlinear dynamics. Written by two leading figures in planetary dynamics, it is a benchmark publication in the field and destined to become a classic.
Book:
Extrasolar Planets and AstrobiologyAuthor:
Caleb A. ScharfPages:
1Format:
pdfLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
1891389556This book offers an advanced introduction to the increasingly robust fields of extrasolar planets and astrobiology. No other text currently available applies this level of mathematics and physics, while also providing an extensive grounding in key issues of chemistry, biology, and geophysics. With extensive references to the literature and chapter-ending exercises, this book can be used as the core text for teaching undergraduate or introductory graduate level courses. The text will also provide astrobiologists with an indispensable "User's Manual" when quick reference to key mathematical and physical techniques is needed. A continually updated online component, fully cross referenced with the text, is also available. Foreword by Geoff Marcy.
Book:
Planetary Sciences 2ndAuthor:
Imke de Pater, Jack J. LissauerPages:
1Format:
pdfLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
1521853710An authoritative introduction for graduate students in the physical sciences, this textbook explains the wide variety of physical, chemical, and geological processes that govern the motions and properties of planets. The second edition of this award-winning textbook has been substantially updated and improved. It now contains a reorganized discussion of small bodies, including a detailed description of the Kuiper belt and asteroid belt; a significantly expanded chapter on extrasolar planets and what they tell us about planetary systems; and appendixes providing a glossary of acronyms, tables of key spacecraft, a summary of observing techniques, and a sampling of very recent images. With over 300 exercises to help students apply the concepts covered, this textbook is ideal for courses in astronomy, planetary science and earth science, and well suited as a reference for researchers. Color versions of many figures and movie clips supplementing the text are available at www.cambridge.org/9780521853712.
Book:
Lie Algebras and Algebraic GroupsAuthor:
Patrice Tauvel and Rupert W. T. YuPages:
653Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
3540241701The theory of Lie algebras and algebraic groups has been an area of active research in the last 50 years. It intervenes in many different areas of mathematics : for example invariant theory, Poisson geometry, harmonic analysis, mathematical physics. The aim of this book is to assemble in a single volume the algebraic aspects of the theory so as to present the foundation of the theory in characteristic zero. Detailed proofs are included and some recent results are discussed in the last chapters. All the prerequisites on commutative algebra and algebraic geometry are included.
Book:
Exploring Space (Science Matters)Author:
Pat YorkPages:
24Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
1590360850When a puddle dries up, where does all the water go? The science matters series provides a compelling introduction to key science topics, explaining concepts in a format that encourages reading and comprehension. Each title introduces a core science topic through visual diagrams, hands-on experiments, and fascinating biographies, all engagingly written.Contents:Getting to know space
Looking up
Moonwalk
Next stop, Mars!
Map of our solar system
The International Space Station
Hubble searches space
Future in the sky
Surfing our solar system
Science in action
What have you learned?
Book:
Understanding Variable StarsAuthor:
John R. PercyPages:
372Format:
PDFLanguage:
EnglishISBN10:
0521232538Variable stars are those that change brightness. They come in many varieties, but each one provides important information about the star: its properties, its internal structure, and its evolution. This book provides a concise overview of variable stars, including a historical perspective, an introduction to stars in general, the techniques for discovering and studying variable stars, and a description of the main types of variable stars. Intended for anyone with some background knowledge of astronomy, it is especially suitable for undergraduate students and experienced amateur astronomers.
