Download or read book An Astronomer s Tale written by Gary Fildes and published by Random House. This book was released on 2016-07-28 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Bricklayer's Guide to the Galaxy . . . The inspirational memoir of a former brickie who followed his passion for the stars and built his own observatory. Perfect for readers of Robert Macfarlane, Helen Macdonald and James Rebanks - as well as fans of Brian Cox and the BBC’s Sky at Night Gary Fildes left school at sixteen, got a trade like most of his mates and was soon married with four kids. His life seemed set. But he had a secret. Something he only practised late at night with a few like-minded friends. Then one day, middle age approaching alarmingly, he acted on his lifelong passion. He finally came out. As an astronomer. Today, Gary is the founder and lead astronomer of Kielder Observatory, one of the top ten stargazing sites in the world, which he also helped to build. Situated in the beautiful forests of Kielder, Northumberland, within Europe’s largest protected dark sky park, it offers some of the UK's most spectacular views of stars, planets and galaxies. An Astronomer’s Tale is Gary’s inspirational story: part memoir, part nature writing, part seasonal guide to the night sky. It is a book brimming with passion; and at a time when the world is captivated by space, it will leave you ready to get out there and explore the wonders of the skies for yourself.

Download or read book Hubble Focus the Lives of Stars written by NASA and published by . This book was released on 2021-07-19 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: INTRODUCTION This is part of a series called Hubble Focus. Each book presents some of Hubble's more recent and important ob- servations within a particular topic. The subjects span from our nearby solar system out to the horizon of Hubble's ob- servable universe. This book, Hubble Focus: The Lives of Stars, highlights some of Hubble's recent discoveries about the birth, evolution, and death of stars. Hubble's contributions are often in partnership with other space telescopes as well as those on the ground, and they build on decades of discoveries that came before Hubble's launch. Its findings are helping us under- stand how our universe has come to be the way it is today.

Download or read book The Crowd and the Cosmos written by Chris Lintott and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2019-10-24 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'fascinating' Brian Cox This is the story of citizen science. Where once astronomers sat at the controls of giant telescopes in remote locations, praying for clear skies, now they have no need to budge from their desks, as data arrives in their inbox. And what they receive is overwhelming; projects now being built provide more data in a few nights than in the whole of humanity's history of observing the Universe. It's not just astronomy either--dealing with this deluge of data is the major challenge for scientists at CERN, and for biologists who use automated cameras to spy on animals in their natural habitats. Artificial intelligence is one part of the solution--but will it spell the end of human involvement in scientific discovery? No, argues Chris Lintott. We humans still have unique capabilities to bring to bear--our curiosity, our capacity for wonder, and, most importantly, our capacity for surprise. It seems that humans and computers working together do better than computers can on their own. But with so much scientific data, you need a lot of scientists--a crowd, in fact. Lintott found such a crowd in the Zooniverse, the web-based project that allows hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic volunteers to contribute to science. In this book, Lintott describes the exciting discoveries that people all over the world have made, from galaxies to pulsars, exoplanets to moons, and from penguin behaviour to old ship's logs. This approach builds on a long history of so-called 'citizen science', given new power by fast internet and distributed data. Discovery is no longer the remit only of scientists in specialist labs or academics in ivory towers. It's something we can all take part in. As Lintott shows, it's a wonderful way to engage with science, yielding new insights daily. You, too, can help explore the Universe in your lunch hour.

Download or read book Revealing the Heart of the Galaxy written by Robert H. Sanders and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2014 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An insider's view of how the massive black hole was discovered at the Galactic Center.

Download or read book New Worlds New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2011-02-04 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Driven by discoveries, and enabled by leaps in technology and imagination, our understanding of the universe has changed dramatically during the course of the last few decades. The fields of astronomy and astrophysics are making new connections to physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. Based on a broad and comprehensive survey of scientific opportunities, infrastructure, and organization in a national and international context, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics outlines a plan for ground- and space- based astronomy and astrophysics for the decade of the 2010's. Realizing these scientific opportunities is contingent upon maintaining and strengthening the foundations of the research enterprise including technological development, theory, computation and data handling, laboratory experiments, and human resources. New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics proposes enhancing innovative but moderate-cost programs in space and on the ground that will enable the community to respond rapidly and flexibly to new scientific discoveries. The book recommends beginning construction on survey telescopes in space and on the ground to investigate the nature of dark energy, as well as the next generation of large ground-based giant optical telescopes and a new class of space-based gravitational observatory to observe the merging of distant black holes and precisely test theories of gravity. New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics recommends a balanced and executable program that will support research surrounding the most profound questions about the cosmos. The discoveries ahead will facilitate the search for habitable planets, shed light on dark energy and dark matter, and aid our understanding of the history of the universe and how the earliest stars and galaxies formed. The book is a useful resource for agencies supporting the field of astronomy and astrophysics, the Congressional committees with jurisdiction over those agencies, the scientific community, and the public.

Download or read book State of the Universe 2007 written by Martin A. Ratcliffe and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2007-07-05 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The aim of this book (and subsequent volumes issued annually) is to provide an annual astronomy review suitable for the popular science level reader. It will be published every year in September in a format suitable for an appeal to the Christmas market. The book will cover all major astronomical news on topics beyond the Solar System and place them in the context of the longer term goals that astronomers and astrophysicists around the world are aiming for. The target is to capture the excitement of modern astronomical research enabling reader to stay up-to-date with its rapid pace and development.

Download or read book A Journey through the Universe written by Ian Morison and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2015 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A comprehensive, up-to-date survey of our knowledge of the Universe beyond Earth, for general readers and astronomy enthusiasts.

Download or read book Dark Nebulae Dark Lanes and Dust Belts written by Antony Cooke and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-01-28 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There are 'voids' obscuring all kinds of objects in the cosmos. Voids may be within an object, or between an object and us. Dark Nebulae, Dark Lanes, and Dust Lanes looks out into the deep sky at those apparent dark regions in space, which are among the most compelling telescopic destinations for amateur observers. One famous example is Barnard's dark nebulae - those striking dark clouds set against the background of stars in the Milky Way. But there are countless other less well known examples. These dark regions are often ignored altogether or commented upon only briefly in astronomy books, and it is all too easy to overlook the treasure trove they offer the observer. Dark Nebulae, Dark Lanes, and Dust Lanes is a great source of practical information for observers. Such voids may be successfully observed using conventional observing methods, but they are often far better seen with technologies such as light-pollution filters, CCD video cameras, and image intensifiers. This book explains the optimal ways to observe each object in detail.

Download or read book Meeting of Board of Regents written by University of Michigan. Board of Regents and published by . This book was released on 2007-09 with total page 432 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Journeying the Cosmos written by Barrett Williams and published by Barrett Williams. This book was released on 2024-08-21 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: **Journeying the Cosmos** Embark on a celestial adventure like no other with *Journeying the Cosmos*, your quintessential guide to exploring the night sky with nothing more than a pair of binoculars. Whether you're a novice stargazer or a seasoned astronomer, this eBook opens up the heavens and brings the universe into sharper focus. Begin your journey with practical advice on selecting and setting up your first pair of binoculars. Learn why binoculars are the perfect starting point for amateur astronomers and discover the best practices for your initial stargazing sessions. Navigate the night sky effortlessly with insights into celestial coordinates, star charts, and the latest apps. Delve deep into the wonders of our closest celestial neighbor, the Moon. Understand its phases, locate its craters and seas, and find the optimal times for lunar observation. Expand your view to include the glorious planets of our solar system—from the swift-moving Mercury to the distant giants of Uranus and Neptune. Marvel at the breathtaking star clusters and nebulae that adorn the night sky. From the densely packed Pleiades to the awe-inspiring Orion Nebula, this guide reveals the hidden gems of our universe. Explore the vast islands of stars in our galaxy and beyond, identifying major celestial events each season has to offer. Venture into the myths and stories behind constellations, learn the secrets of meteor showers, and grasp advanced binocular techniques to enhance your viewing experience. Discover how to keep an astronomy journal, sketch your observations, and even delve into the basics of astrophotography. Prepare for the most spectacular celestial events and combat the encroaching scourge of light pollution with tips and advocacy ideas. *Journeying the Cosmos* doesn't just guide you but inspires you to become part of a global community of stargazers. Unlock the mysteries of the cosmos and chart your own astronomical adventures with this comprehensive and engaging eBook. The universe awaits—take your first step today!

Download or read book How the Universe Works written by Giles Sparrow and published by Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC. This book was released on 2015-12-15 with total page 82 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How the Universe Works examines topics on the wider universe, from the Milky Way Galaxy to dark matter and the composition of the universe. Detailed illustrations and clear charts help explain these complicated topics.

Download or read book Unraveling the Enigmas Beyond Our Reach written by Barrett Williams and published by Barrett Williams. This book was released on 2024-10-23 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Embark on an extraordinary voyage through the vast expanse of the universe with "Unraveling the Enigmas Beyond Our Reach." This captivating eBook takes you on a thrilling journey from the familiar realms of stargazing to the enigmatic possibilities of the cosmos, inviting you to unlock the deepest secrets scattered across the fabric of space and time. Start your exploration by delving into the cosmic mysteries that have captivated humanity's imagination for millennia. Discover how modern stargazing tools, like telescopes and spectroscopy, serve as portals to the universe, allowing us to glimpse the wonders beyond our reach. Navigate the intricate structure of the Milky Way, uncovering the enigma of galactic anatomy and the hidden mysteries of its core and halo. Witness the spectacular birth and death of stars, where nebulae act as cradles of creation and supernovae illuminate the cycle of cosmic life and death. Venture into the shadowy realm of dark matter and dark energy, tapping into the forces that shape our universe and pondering their implications for the ultimate fate of all cosmic bodies. Explore the exotic objects lurking within our galaxy, from powerful magnetars to ancient quasars and densely packed neutron stars. Investigate the burgeoning field of exoplanetary science, seeking Earth-like worlds and considering the tantalizing possibility of life beyond our solar system. Peer into theoretical dimensions with wormholes and faster-than-light travel, challenging the boundaries of our understanding. Grapple with the bizarre and fascinating quantum mysteries that may hold the key to the universe’s origins. With each page, "Unraveling the Enigmas Beyond Our Reach" inspires a sense of wonder and curiosity, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the cosmos. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or a curious novice, this eBook offers a compelling exploration of the universe's most profound mysteries, igniting your own journey of discovery into the great unknown.

Download or read book Minding the Heavens written by Leila Belkora and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2021-05-12 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Praise for the first edition: "A terrific blend of the science and the history." Martha Haynes, Goldwin Smith Professor of Astronomy, Cornell University, New York, USA "The book is a treat... Highly recommended for public and academic libraries." Peter Hepburn, now Head Librarian, College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, California, USA Today, we recognize that we live on a planet circling the sun, that our sun is just one of billions of stars in the galaxy we call the Milky Way, and that our galaxy is but one of billions born out of the Big Bang. Yet, as recently as the early twentieth century, the general public and even astronomers had vague and confused notions about what lay beyond the visible stars. Can we see to the edge of the universe? Do we live in a system that would look, from a distance, like a spiral nebula? This fully updated second edition of Minding the Heavens: The Story of Our Discovery of the Milky Way explores how we learned that we live in a galaxy, in a universe composed of galaxies and unseen, mysterious dark matter. The story unfolds through short biographies of seven astronomers: Thomas Wright, William Herschel, and Wilhelm Struve of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; the transitional figure of William Huggins; and Jacobus Kapteyn, Harlow Shapley, and Edwin Hubble of the modern, big-telescope era. Each contributed key insights to our present understanding of where we live in the cosmos, and each was directly inspired by the work of his predecessors to decipher "the construction of the heavens." Along the way, the narrative weaves in the contributions of those in supportive roles, including Caroline Herschel—William’s sister, and the first woman paid to do astronomy—and Martha Shapley, a mathematician in her own right who carried out calculations for her spouse. Through this historical perspective, readers will gain a new appreciation of our magnificent Milky Way galaxy and of the beauties of the night sky, from ghostly nebulae to sparkling star clusters. Features: Fully updated throughout to reflect the latest in our understanding of the Milky Way, from our central supermassive black hole to the prospect of future mergers with other galaxies in our Local Group. Explains the significance of current research, including from the Gaia mission mapping our galaxy in unprecedented detail. Unique and broadly appealing approach. A biographical framework and ample illustrations lead the reader by easy, enjoyable steps to a well-rounded understanding of the history of astronomy. Leila Belkora (Ph.D., Astrophysics) is a science writer. She earned her doctorate from the University of Colorado-Boulder, specializing in solar radio astronomy. She has previously taught university physics, astronomy, and communication for engineers. She lives in Southern California and enjoys local astronomy outreach activities.

Download or read book Seeing in the Dark written by Timothy Ferris and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2012-12-18 with total page 404 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Seeing in the Dark, a poetic love letter to science and to the skies, Timothy Ferris invites us all to become stargazers. He recounts his own experiences as an enthralled lifelong amateur astronomer and reports from around the globe -- from England and Italy to the Florida Keys and the Chilean Andes -- on the revolution that's putting millions in touch with the night sky. In addition, Ferris offers an authoritative and engaging report on what's out there to be seen -- what Saturn, the Ring nebula, the Silver Coin galaxy, and the Virgo supercluster really are and how to find them. The appendix includes star charts, observing lists, and a guide on how to get involved in astronomy. Ferris takes us inside a major revolution sweeping astronomy, as lone amateur astronomers, in global networks linked by the Internet, make important discoveries that are the envy of the professionals. His ability to describe the wonders of the universe is simply magical, and his enthusiasm for his subject is irresistible.

Download or read book The Invisible Universe written by Gerrit Verschuur and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2007-03-20 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the story of radio astronomy, of how radio waves are generated by stars, supernova, quasars, colliding galaxies, and by the very beginnings of the universe itself. This revised book provides an update on the state of radio astronomy and those sections no longer regarded as cutting edge have been removed. With this book, aimed at a lay audience, you learn what astronomers are doing with those huge dishes. With each of these observatories, the scientists collect and analyze their data, "listening" to the radio signals from space, in order to learn what is out there, and perhaps even if someone else may be listening as well.

Download or read book The Cosmic Perspective written by Jeffrey O. Bennett and published by Addison Wesley Publishing Company. This book was released on 2001 with total page 764 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Built from the ground up on our new understanding of the universe, this reader-friendly book focuses on central ideas and unifying themes to provide a concise cosmic context. Scientific concepts are linked to everyday experience to help readers develop an appreciation for the scientific method and to see how physics and astronomy are foundations for understanding their world. Recent discoveries spark readers' curiosity in the universe as a whole. Updates include discoveries such as the accelerating universe/cosmological constant, the detection of more planets around other stars, the potential of water flow on Mars, and the latest theories on the very early universe. For college instructors and students, or anyone interested in astronomy and physics.

Download or read book The Pillars of Creation written by Martin Beech and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-12-28 with total page 279 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the mechanics of star formation, the process by which matter pulls together and creates new structures. Written for science enthusiasts, the author presents an accessible explanation of how stars are born from the interstellar medium and giant molecular clouds. Stars produce the chemicals that lead to life, and it is they that have enabled the conditions for planets to form and life to emerge. Although the Big Bang provided the spark of initiation, the primordial universe that it sired was born hopelessly sterile. It is only through the continued recycling of the interstellar medium, star formation, and stellar evolution that the universe has been animated beyond a chaotic mess of elementary atomic particles, radiation, dark matter, dark energy, and expanding spacetime. Using the Milky Way and the Eagle Nebula in particular as case studies, Beech follows every step of this amazing process.