'The content is presented in a colloquial style that is easy to understand and interesting to read. It is supported by numerous colour figures and pictures. Thanks to the excellent quality of the paper and the print, the pictures are indeed pleasing to look at ... The text is self-contained as much as possible. It can be recommended to any scientifically interested reader who wants an overview of the universe, what is in it, and of the methods and instruments in use for the investigations science undertakes to acquire this knowledge.'Contemporary PhysicsThis popular science book offers a glimpse into a plethora of extreme cosmic phenomena in which the theories of modern physics, particularly quantum mechanics and general relativity, play a key role. Despite their vastly different appearances, these cosmic phenomena have much in common: they are all powered by exotic stars - black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs - collectively called compact objects.The book describes, in accessible language, the physics underlying these phenomena, the historical background that led to their discovery, and the various observational techniques used by astronomers for their exposure. The book contains many spectacular photographs taken with modern telescopes around the world and satellites of different space agencies, as well as illustrations specially prepared by the author to enhance the reading experience.

In February 2016, physicists announced the breakthrough discovery of the gravitational waves, which were predicted by Albert Einstein in his century-old theory of General Relativity. These gravitational waves were emitted as a result of the collision of two massive black holes that happened about 1.3 billion years ago. They were discovered at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in the United States and thus marked a new milestone for physics. However, it remains unclear to physicists how the gravitational interaction can be included in the Standard Theory of particle physics which describes the electroweak and the strong interactions in our universe.In this volume are the lectures, given by the speakers at the conference on cosmology and particle physics. The discussed topics range from gravitational waves to cosmology, dark matter, dark energy and particle physics beyond the Standard Theory.

Since several decades, comets have been considered as key witnesses of solar system formation. Their nature has been explored using the modern arsenal of Earth- and space-based observations, and they hold a central place as dynamical arbiters of the planetary system in the new paradigm of solar system evolution known as the Nice Model. Thus, they have the potential to test the various ideas, using the detailed data recently gathered by the ESA/Rosetta mission. This requires an understanding of their origin and evolution, which form the subject of the present book. All the relevant issues are covered, describing both the background and the current frontiers of research.

This book is an attempt to demystify the activities of a celestial object such as the Sun appealing to basic physics already available to high school students. Building on simple logic, the contents begin with measurements of the gross properties of the Sun like size (volume) and mass from which the average density of solar material is shown to be almost equal to water's density. Then the temperature is obtained using the colour of sunlight, and the gravitational force is discussed to indicate how the solar material is compressed at the centre of the Sun leading to heating which further causes nuclear reactions. The roles of all the forces of nature, viz. strong, weak, electromagnetic and gravitation are shown in the construction of the Sun. The generation of magnetic fields by solar rotation and the eruptions of solar atmospheric material are also included.To further demystify the methods of obtaining all such facts about the Sun, a chapter is solely devoted to the different kinds of solar telescopes operating at different wavelengths and also at different locations ranging from outer space to deep underground, where solar neutrino flux is measured. The entire discussion is interspersed with historical encounters between giants of science to show the human face of scientific research.

This is a revisit of a radical theory of cometary panspermia and cosmic life that was first proposed by Chandra Wickramasinghe and the late Sir Fred Hoyle in 1982. In its earliest form the theory of cosmic life started off as a speculation in 1974 after the first discovery of complex organic molecules and polymeric dust in interstellar space. The speculation soon developed into a serious scientific theory, predictions of which were available to be verified or falsified. Over four decades there have been a multitude of tests and predictions of the theory being positive in vindicating the proposition of life as a cosmic rather than a purely terrestrial phenomenon. A paradigm shift of enormous magnitude and significance is to be expected.The ideas and theories described in this book would have a far-reaching influence affecting the future development of diverse branches of science.

The chief argument of this book, first published in 1990, is that Ibn al-Haytham's On the Configuration of the World is a non-technical expose of basic astronomical teachings: it was written in particular for those whose main interests were in the areas of philosophy and natural science and who, accordingly, had an interest in relating the mathematical devices employed by professional astronomers to the heavenly bodies mentioned in the philosophical literature. However, the primary reason for this publication is not the advancement of this thesis, but rather the presentation of the medieval texts themselves, normally so inaccessible to scholars and students alike.

Whoever wants to understand the genesis of modern Science has to follow three lines of development, all starting in antiquity, which were brought together in the work of ISAAC NEWTON, namely 1. Ancient Mathematics => DESCARTES 2. Ancient Astronomy => COPERNICUS : ~~~~ I=> NEWTON 3. Ancient Mechanics => GALILEO => HUYGENS In Science Awakening I (Dutch edition 1950, first Eng1ish edition 1954, second 1961, first German edition 1956, second 1965) I have followed the first 1ine, giving an outline of the development of Mathematics in Egypt, Babylonia, and Greece. Volume II, dealing with Egyptian and Baby1onian Astronomy first appeared in German under the title 'Die Anfange der Astronomie' (Noordhoff, Groningen 1965 and Birkhau- ser, Basel 1968). The volume was written in collaboration with PETER HUBER (Swiss Federal School of Technology, Zurich). HUBER has written considerable parts of Chap- ters 3 and 4, in particular all transcriptions of cuneiform texts in these chapters. I also had much help from ERNST WEIDNER (Graz), MARTIN VERMASEREN (Amsterdam), JOSEF JANSEN (Leiden) and MANU LEUMANN (Zurich).

Field theory is an important topic in theoretical physics, which is studied in the physical and physico-mathematical departments of universities. Therefore, lecturers are faced with the urgent task of not only providing students with information about the subject, but also to help them master the material at a deep qualitative level, by presenting the specific features of general approaches to the statement and the solution of problems in theoretical physics. One of the ways to study field theory is the practical one, where the students can deepen their knowledge of the theoretical material and develop problem-solving skills. This book includes a concise theoretical summary of the main branches of field theory and electrodynamics, worked examples, and some problems for the student to solve.The book is written for students of theoretical and applied physics, and corresponds to the curricula of the theoretical courses 'Field theory' and 'Electrodynamics' for physics undergraduates. It can also be useful for students of other disciplines, in particular, those in which physics is one of the base subjects.

In Hellenistic Astronomy: The Science in Its Contexts, new essays by renowned scholars address questions about what the ancient science of the heavens was in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean worlds, and the numerous contexts in which it was pursued. Together, these essays will enable readers not only to understand the technical accomplishments of this ancient science but also to appreciate their historical significance by locating the questions, challenges, and issues inspiring them in their political, medical, philosophical, literary, and religious contexts. Winner of the 2020 Choice Outstanding Academic Title Award

As a child, Aomawa Shield's first great love was the sky - she would bump into things on the ground because her neck was always craned upward - and she longed to become an astronaut. Determined to make her dream a reality, Aomawa applied for and attended an elite high school with an astronomy observatory, graduated with a degree in astrophysics from MIT, and began studying for a PhD. But one year into her studies, a white male professor recommended that she consider other careers. Was he saying this because of her aptitude, or because there were no other astrophysicists who looked like her? Struggling with her own doubts about whether she'd chosen the right path, she left academia to become an actor. After acting professionally for a decade in Los Angeles, temping to pay the bills, Aomawa took a day job at NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and realised she missed the stars and planets. She applied again to grad school and became the oldest and only Black student in her PhD cohort at the University of Washington. This time, no professor, and no voice in her own head, would stop her from getting her degree. She finished acclaimed research about the ice on other planets, and the weather in other worlds. Stars shine in many colours: there are yellow stars like our Sun, fast-burning blue stars, and red dwarf stars. Aomawa's research has studied these red dwarfs in particular, which are especially abundant in our own Milky Way galaxy, and which may be more likely to harbour planets that support life. There are as many ways life could thrive in another world as there are ways life could be crushed - or never develop at all. If life existed in a red dwarf system, it would thrive differently from life in the world that we know. But the universe is a very big place. There is room for us all.

This textbook provides an introduction to gravitational lensing, which has become an invaluable tool in modern astrophysics, with applications that range from finding planets orbiting distant stars to understanding how dark matter and dark energy conspired to form the cosmic structures we see today. Principles of Gravitational Lensing begins with Einstein's prediction that gravity bends light, and shows how that fundamental idea has spawned a rich field of study over the past century. The gravitational deflection of light was first detected by Eddington during a solar eclipse in May 1919, launching Einstein and his theory of relativity into public view. Yet the possibility of using the phenomenon to unlock mysteries of the Universe seemed remote, given the technology of the day. Theoretical work was carried out sporadically over the next six decades, but only with the discovery of the system Q0957+561 in 1979 was gravitational lensing transformed from a curiosity of general relativity into a practical observational tool. This book describes how the three subfields known as strong lensing, weak lensing, and microlensing have grown independently but become increasingly intertwined. Drawing on their research experience, Congdon and Keeton begin with the basic physics of light bending, then present the mathematical foundations of gravitational lensing, building up to current research topics in a clear and systematic way. Relevant background material from physics and mathematics is included, making the book self-contained. The derivations and explanations are supplemented by exercises designed to help students master the theoretical concepts as well as the methods that drive current research. An extensive bibliography guides those wishing to delve more deeply into particular areas of interest. Principles of Gravitational Lensing is ideal for advanced students and seasoned researchers looking to penetrate this thriving subject and even contribute research of their own.

Beginning with the famous Olber's paradox, paradoxes such as the missing mass, dark energy, baryon to photon ratio and cosmic zero-point energy are examined in detail. The Heisenberg-Lemaitre's units, based on the total enormous but finite mass of the Universe, are introduced and rigorous solutions of Einstein's cosmological equations for an open Universe with cosmological constant are obtained. Energy conservation after the Big Bang is consistently required.This book discusses such paradoxes in depth with physical and logical content and historical perspective, and has not too technical content in order to serve a wide audience. In the second edition, the content is updated and new sections are added.

Beginning with the famous Olber's paradox, paradoxes such as the missing mass, dark energy, baryon to photon ratio and cosmic zero-point energy are examined in detail. The Heisenberg-Lemaitre's units, based on the total enormous but finite mass of the Universe, are introduced and rigorous solutions of Einstein's cosmological equations for an open Universe with cosmological constant are obtained. Energy conservation after the Big Bang is consistently required.This book discusses such paradoxes in depth with physical and logical content and historical perspective, and has not too technical content in order to serve a wide audience. In the second edition, the content is updated and new sections are added.

Stoicheiosis Astronomike ('Elements of Astronomy') is a late Byzantine comprehensive introduction to Astronomy. It was written by an outstanding figure in Byzantine culture and politics, who served also as prime minister. This volume makes available for the first time a large part of its astronomical contents, offering the original text with an English translation, accompanied by an introduction and analysis.This book describes the celestial spheres, the rotation of the planets, and especially the apparent trajectory of the sun with its uniform and anomalous rotations, which are used to determine the length of the year. Metochites proposed a new starting date for the calendar (6th of October 1283) specifying the position of the sun on that date. The work revived the interest in studies of Ptolemaic astronomy as attested by numerous annotations in the margins of the manuscripts.Besides its astronomical content there are statements on the epistemological method and other issues elucidating the spirit of that age. It will be of interest as an introduction to Byzantine astronomy for historians of science and philosophy, for astronomers, and those interested in the development of calendars.

This book describes detection techniques used to search for and analyze gravitational waves (GW). It covers the whole domain of GW science, starting from the theory and ending with the experimental techniques (both present and future) used to detect them.The theoretical sections of the book address the theory of general relativity and of GW, followed by the theory of GW detection. The various sources of GW are described as well as the methods used to analyse them and to extract their physical parameters. It includes an analysis of the consequences of GW observations in terms of astrophysics as well as a description of the different detectors that exist and that are planned for the future.With the recent announcement of GW detection and the first results from LISA Pathfinder, this book will allow non-specialists to understand the present status of the field and the future of gravitational wave science.

The Viennese Jesuit court astronomer Maximilian Hell was a key figure in the eighteenth-century circulation of knowledge. He was already famous by the time of his celebrated 1769 expedition for the observation of the transit of Venus in northern Scandinavia. However, the 1773 suppression of his order forced Hell to develop ingenious strategies of accommodation to changing international and domestic circumstances. Through a study of his career in local, regional, imperial, and global contexts, this book sheds new light on the complex relationship between the Enlightenment, Catholicism, administrative and academic reform in the Habsburg monarchy, and the practices and ends of cultivating science in the Republic of Letters around the end of the first era of the Society of Jesus.

Cooking Cosmos is an exciting book that traces the history of men's endeavor to understand the Universe, and answers the eternal questions: 'Who made this World?' 'Where did it come from?' 'How and why did it begin?' Thousands of years of continual interaction with nature has brought mankind to the present stage when we have some inkling about the working of nature. We now know that the Earth, our habitat, is only one of the planets orbiting the Sun. The Sun itself is a star among billions of stars in the Universe. We know that our solar system came into existence some 4.5 billion years ago and it is but only a tiny component of our galaxy, the Milky Way. Our Universe contains some 100 billion of galaxies. We know that the Universe itself came into existence with the Big Bang some 13.7 billion years ago and even now galaxies are receding from each other with ever increasing speed.This book takes you through the intellectual journey of mankind, unraveling the mysteries of the Cosmos. Starting from Aristotle's Earth-centered Universe, it will take you step by step to the Copernican Sun-centered Universe, to Hubble's expanding Universe, to the Big Bang, to the currently accepted accelerating Universe. In the process, the book explores the origin of space-time, black hole, black hole radiation, dark matter, dark energy, quantum gravity, string theory, all in terms comprehensible to general audiences.

Cooking Cosmos is an exciting book that traces the history of men's endeavor to understand the Universe, and answers the eternal questions: 'Who made this World?' 'Where did it come from?' 'How and why did it begin?' Thousands of years of continual interaction with nature has brought mankind to the present stage when we have some inkling about the working of nature. We now know that the Earth, our habitat, is only one of the planets orbiting the Sun. The Sun itself is a star among billions of stars in the Universe. We know that our solar system came into existence some 4.5 billion years ago and it is but only a tiny component of our galaxy, the Milky Way. Our Universe contains some 100 billion of galaxies. We know that the Universe itself came into existence with the Big Bang some 13.7 billion years ago and even now galaxies are receding from each other with ever increasing speed.This book takes you through the intellectual journey of mankind, unraveling the mysteries of the Cosmos. Starting from Aristotle's Earth-centered Universe, it will take you step by step to the Copernican Sun-centered Universe, to Hubble's expanding Universe, to the Big Bang, to the currently accepted accelerating Universe. In the process, the book explores the origin of space-time, black hole, black hole radiation, dark matter, dark energy, quantum gravity, string theory, all in terms comprehensible to general audiences.

This book on astronomical measurement takes a fresh approach to teaching the subject. After discussing some general principles, it follows the chain of measurement through atmosphere, imaging, detection, spectroscopy, timing, and hypothesis testing. The various wavelength regimes are covered in each section, emphasising what is the same, and what is different. The author concentrates on the physics of detection and the principles of measurement, aiming to make this logically coherent.
The book is based on a short self contained lecture course for advanced undergraduate students developed and taught by the author over several years.

This book characterizes the kinematic and chemical structures of disk-forming regions around low-mass protostellar sources and their interplay based on Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations. It describes the chemical evolution of molecules formed in an interstellar gas using the ALMA observations of 5 Sun-like protostars at a spatial resolution of a few tens au scale, which unveils the physical mechanism of star and planetary formation. The book reviews the author's successful works, focusing on two key findings: (i) A drastic change in the chemical composition of the gas around the centrifugal barrier of the infalling-rotating envelopes, and (ii) the chemical composition in the disk-forming regions, which varies from source to source depending on the chemical characteristics of the parent molecular cloud. These findings are based on the fine characterization of physical structures based on careful kinematic analyses. An additional attraction is the inclusion of the skillful reviews of ALMA observatory and its observation and physical models to describe the observed gas structure.

'Mind-inflating' Wired 'A grand vision of the marvels we've discovered, and the immensity of what we still don't understand' Sunday Times What if the ancient Greeks were right, and the universe really did spring into being out of chaos and the void? How could we know? And what must its first moments have been like? To answer these questions, scientists are delving into all the hidden crevices of creation. Armed with giant telescopes and powerful particle accelerators, they probe the subtle mechanisms by which our familiar world came to be, and try to foretell the manner in which it will end. The result of all this collective effort is a complex tale, stranger at times than even our most ancient creation myths. Yet its building blocks give us the power to work marvels our predecessors could scarcely comprehend. In Genesis, the CERN physicist and bestselling author Guido Tonelli does poetic justice to that great story, the accomplishment of countless minds working together across the ages.

This book tells the story of how, over the past century, dedicated observers and pioneering scientists achieved our current understanding of the universe. It was in antiquity that humankind first attempted to explain the universe often with the help of myths and legends. This book, however, focuses on the time when cosmology finally became a true science. As the reader will learn, this was a slow process, extending over a large part of the 20th century and involving many astronomers, cosmologists and theoretical physicists. The book explains how empirical astronomical data (e.g., Leavitt, Slipher and Hubble) were reconciled with Einstein's general relativity; a challenge which finally led Friedmann, De Sitter and Lemaitre, and eventually Einstein himself, to a consistent understanding of the observational results. The reader will realize the extraordinary implications of these achievements and how deeply they changed our vision of the cosmos: From being small, static, immutable and eternal, it became vast and dynamical - originating from (almost) nothing, and yet now, nearly 14 billion years later, undergoing accelerated expansion. But, as always happens, as well as precious knowledge, new mysteries have also been created where previously absolute certainty had reigned.