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This book provides an introduction, from the astronomical point of
view of the author, to the exciting search for extra-terrestrial
life, and an overview of the current status of research into
'alien' life in the Solar System and beyond. It also explores the
potential future human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Up-to-date
with the latest developments in the field and accompanied by key
references for further study, it is a fantastic introduction to the
field of astrobiology for non-science majors taking an elective
module, in addition to undergraduates studying physics with an
interest in this area. Features: Contains the latest groundbreaking
research in the hunt for life outside of Earth Discusses the
identification of biosignatures in exo-planets Reviews future
options for human outposts on the Moon and Mars
Providing a broad overview of foundational concepts, this second
edition of Fundamentals of Astronomy covers topics ranging from
spherical astronomy to reference systems, and celestial mechanics
to astronomical photometry and spectroscopy. It expounds arguments
of classical astronomy that provided the foundation for modern
astrometry, whilst presenting the latest results of the
very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) radio technique, optical
interferometers and satellites such as Hipparcos and GAIA, and
recent resolutions of the IAU and IERS regarding precession, forced
and free nutation, and Earth figure and rotation. Concepts of
general relativity are explored, such as the advance of Mercury's
perihelion, light deflection and black holes, in addition to the
physical properties, orbits, and ephemerides of planets, comets and
asteroids with an extension to visual binary stars orbital
reconstruction. Extrasolar planets are also discussed, with
reference to radial velocity and transits measurements by ground
and space telescopes. Basic concepts of astronomical photometry,
spectroscopy and polarimetry are given, including the influence of
the terrestrial atmosphere. Classical works, such as Hipparchus,
are mentioned in order to provide a flavor of the historical
development of the field. It is an ideal textbook for undergraduate
and graduate students studying astronomy, astrophysics,
mathematics, and engineering. Supplementary and explanatory notes
provide readers with references to additional material published in
other literature and scientific journals, whilst solved and
unsolved exercises allow students to review their understanding of
the material. Features: Provides an introductory vision of
arguments from spherical astronomy to celestial mechanics to
astronomical photometry and spectroscopy Presents the information
at an introductory level without sacrificing scientific rigor Fully
updated throughout with the latest results in the field
Providing a broad overview of foundational concepts, this second
edition of Fundamentals of Astronomy covers topics ranging from
spherical astronomy to reference systems, and celestial mechanics
to astronomical photometry and spectroscopy. It expounds arguments
of classical astronomy that provided the foundation for modern
astrometry, whilst presenting the latest results of the
very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) radio technique, optical
interferometers and satellites such as Hipparcos and GAIA, and
recent resolutions of the IAU and IERS regarding precession, forced
and free nutation, and Earth figure and rotation. Concepts of
general relativity are explored, such as the advance of Mercury's
perihelion, light deflection and black holes, in addition to the
physical properties, orbits, and ephemerides of planets, comets and
asteroids with an extension to visual binary stars orbital
reconstruction. Extrasolar planets are also discussed, with
reference to radial velocity and transits measurements by ground
and space telescopes. Basic concepts of astronomical photometry,
spectroscopy and polarimetry are given, including the influence of
the terrestrial atmosphere. Classical works, such as Hipparchus,
are mentioned in order to provide a flavor of the historical
development of the field. It is an ideal textbook for undergraduate
and graduate students studying astronomy, astrophysics,
mathematics, and engineering. Supplementary and explanatory notes
provide readers with references to additional material published in
other literature and scientific journals, whilst solved and
unsolved exercises allow students to review their understanding of
the material. Features: Provides an introductory vision of
arguments from spherical astronomy to celestial mechanics to
astronomical photometry and spectroscopy Presents the information
at an introductory level without sacrificing scientific rigor Fully
updated throughout with the latest results in the field
The Conference on the Earth-Moon relationships brought together
a number of distinguished scientists from different fields - such
as Astronomy, Celestial Mechanics, Chemistry - but also scholars of
Literature and Art, to discuss these relationships, their origins,
and their influence on human activities and beliefs.
This book provides an introduction, from the astronomical point of
view of the author, to the exciting search for extra-terrestrial
life, and an overview of the current status of research into
'alien' life in the Solar System and beyond. It also explores the
potential future human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Up-to-date
with the latest developments in the field and accompanied by key
references for further study, it is a fantastic introduction to the
field of astrobiology for non-science majors taking an elective
module, in addition to undergraduates studying physics with an
interest in this area. Features: Contains the latest groundbreaking
research in the hunt for life outside of Earth Discusses the
identification of biosignatures in exo-planets Reviews future
options for human outposts on the Moon and Mars
The idea of having a conference in Padova describing the results
obtained by the Galileo spacecraft and the characteristics of the
Telescopio Nazionale Galileo began in 1995, when a number of
colleagues from both sides of the Atlantic began exchanging
suggestions and ideas. Looking at the schedules of the two teams,
it was clear that the beginning of January 1997 would be a good
time to hold the conference; these dates also luckily coincided
with the dates of the memorable discovery of the Medicean moons of
Jupiter by Galileo Galilei in Padova in 1610. To emphasize these
three elements, the name of the conference was then proposed and
accepted by the involved parties: NASA and JPL in the United
States, the German space agency DARA, the University of Padova, and
the Astronomical Observatory in Padova. I wish to recall a few key
dates: In January 1610, Galileo--from his house in Padova--had the
first hint of three and then four stars connected to Jupiter. In
December 1995, the probe released from the spacecraft entered the
atmosphere of Jupiter, and the spacecraft entered orbit about
Jupiter. These extraordinary events were followed at JPL by a
number of representatives of many institutions and space agencies.
In June 1996, the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo was inaugurated by
the King of Spain Juan Carlos I, in the presence of Prof. Luigi
Berlinguer, Minister of University and Science. These ceremonies
occurred as the spacecraft started touring the moon Europa.
IAU Symposium 269 celebrates the 400th anniversary of Galileo
Galilei's discovery of the Medicean Moons, Jupiter's four largest
satellites, exploring the impact his findings have had on science
and the humanities. Galileo's instrumental discovery and his belief
that the planets and moons in our Solar System could be habitable
worlds encouraged a deeper understanding of our place in the
Universe. Today, ongoing space missions to Jupiter's moons, our own
Moon, Mars, Saturn, and Enceladus, reveal our continued fascination
with the possibilities of alien life, but this time with a focus on
potential host sites for primitive life forms. These critical
reviews examine our present knowledge of the Jupiter system, and
consider how future space missions and improvements in telescopes
will bolster the contemporary vision of our Solar System, of the
many known extrasolar planetary systems, and of life forms beyond
the Solar System.
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