Astronomy: Books

For the first time in human history, we know for certain the existence of planets around other stars. Now the fastest-growing field in space science, the time is right for this fundamental source book on the topic which will lay the foundation for its continued growth. Exoplanets serves as both an introduction for the non-specialist and a foundation for the techniques and equations used in exoplanet observation by those dedicated to the field.

New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics is a collection of reports, each of which addresses a key sub-area of the field, prepared by specialists in that subarea, and each of which played an important role in setting overall priorities for the field. These reports provide additional depth and detail in each of their respective areas.

A view of the past history of astronomy and material on present challenges and findings.

This book first introduces the properties of simple isolated holes, then adds in complications like rotation, accretion, radiation, and magnetic fields, finally arriving at a basic understanding of how these immense engines work.

Einstein's theory of general relativity opens the door to other universes, and weird universes at that: universes that allow time travel, universes where you can see the back of your head, universes that spin and bounce or multiply without limit. The Book of Universes gives us a stunning tour of these potential universes, introducing us along the way to the brilliant physicists and mathematicians who first revealed their startling possibilities.

In Endless Universe, Paul J. Steinhardt and Neil Turok, both distinguished theoretical physicists, present a bold new cosmology of the universe. Steinhardt and Turok contend that what we think of as the moment of creation was simply part of an infinite cycle of titanic collisions between our universe and a parallel world. They recount the remarkable developments in astronomy, particle physics, and superstring theory that form the basis for their groundbreaking Cyclic Universe theory.

This remarkable book introduces you to the fifty best sights in astronomy and tells you exactly how to see them. Concise descriptions and explanations of these spectacular visual wonders will deepen your appreciation of them and spur further exploration. You will also find the essential basic information on astronomical observation you need to get started, including observing conditions, techniques, telescopes, and astronomical measurements.

Critically acclaimed science writer Ann Finkbeiner tells the inside story of the Sloan and how it is revolutionizing astronomy. The Sloan stitched together images of deep space taken over the course of five years, providing a remarkably detailed, three-dimensional map of a vast territory of the universe, all digitized and downloadable for easy searching on a personal computer, and available not only to professional astronomers but to the public as well.

Starting with problems astronomers face on Earth connected with observation, the book then moves on to cover the Solar System, galaxies and finally cosmology, one of the most exciting and fastest developing areas of astronomy. The science behind the subject is integrated and presented in a way that allows readers to gain a thorough understanding of the subject without being blinded by unnecessary mathematical detail or scientific theory.

The book begins with a historical review of four major theories for the origin of the Solar System in particular, or of planets in general, which highlight the major problems that need to be solved by any plausible theory. In many theories, including that which form the major theme of this book, the formation of planets and stars is intimately linked, so four chapters are devoted to the processes that can be described as the birth, life and death of stars.

Until relatively recently, Ruby Payne-Scott had been the only woman scientist mentioned briefly in histories of Australian science or of Australian radio astronomy. This book will be an invaluable resource for anyone interested in these disciplines. Being scientists themselves, the authors explain Payne-Scott's scientific work in detail; therefore, the value and importance of her contributions can, for the first time, be recognised, not only by historians but also by scientists.