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What do CERN, smartphones, the iridium satellite network, the most
popular app stores in the world, the biggest online game in the
world, Moscow drivers, Seniors golfer Tony Johnstone, sufferers of
rheumatoid arthritis and anyone who has their DNA sequenced have in
common? They all rely on innovations that have come out of the
technology cluster known as the Cambridge Phenomenon. This book, a
follow-up to The Cambridge Phenomenon: 50 Years of Innovation and
Enterprise, showcases what the Cambridge technology cluster has
done for the world. The Cambridge Phenomenon: Global Impact reveals
just how many of us, all around the globe, rely on Cambridge
technology every day. This book tells the important, hidden story
of how academic excellence and entrepreneurial endeavour have
improved people's lives the world over. It is crucial reading for
anybody interested in the ways successful businesses work, and the
fundamental role of our great educational institutions in fostering
that success.
Astronomer Royal Martin Rees shows how the behaviour and origins of
the universe can be explained by just six numbers. How did a single
genesis event create billions of galaxies, black holes, stars and
planets? How did atoms assemble - here on Earth, and perhaps on
other worlds - into living beings intricate enough to ponder their
origins? This book describes the recent avalanche of discoveries
about the universe's fundamental laws, and the deep connections
that exist between stars and atoms - the cosmos and the microscopic
world. Just six numbers, imprinted in the big bang, determine the
essence of our world, and this book devotes one chapter to
explaining each.
A History Today Book of the Year A world-renowned astronomer and an
esteemed science writer make the provocative argument for space
exploration without astronauts. Human journeys into space fill us
with wonder. But the thrill of space travel for astronauts comes at
enormous expense and is fraught with peril. As our robot explorers
grow more competent, governments and corporations must ask, does
our desire to send astronauts to the Moon and Mars justify the cost
and danger? Donald Goldsmith and Martin Rees believe that beyond
low-Earth orbit, space exploration should proceed without humans.
In The End of Astronauts, Goldsmith and Rees weigh the benefits and
risks of human exploration across the solar system. In space humans
require air, food, and water, along with protection from
potentially deadly radiation and high-energy particles, at a cost
of more than ten times that of robotic exploration. Meanwhile,
automated explorers have demonstrated the ability to investigate
planetary surfaces efficiently and effectively, operating
autonomously or under direction from Earth. Although Goldsmith and
Rees are alert to the limits of artificial intelligence, they know
that our robots steadily improve, while our bodies do not. Today a
robot cannot equal a geologist's expertise, but by the time we land
a geologist on Mars, this advantage will diminish significantly.
Decades of research and experience, together with interviews with
scientific authorities and former astronauts, offer convincing
arguments that robots represent the future of space exploration.
The End of Astronauts also examines how spacefaring AI might be
regulated as corporations race to privatize the stars. We may
eventually decide that humans belong in space despite the dangers
and expense, but their paths will follow routes set by robots.
A provocative and inspiring look at the future of humanity and
science from world-renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin
Rees Humanity has reached a critical moment. Our world is unsettled
and rapidly changing, and we face existential risks over the next
century. Various outcomes-good and bad-are possible. Yet our
approach to the future is characterized by short-term thinking,
polarizing debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. In this
short, exhilarating book, renowned scientist and bestselling author
Martin Rees argues that humanity's prospects depend on our taking a
very different approach to planning for tomorrow. The future of
humanity is bound to the future of science and hinges on how
successfully we harness technological advances to address our
challenges. If we are to use science to solve our problems while
avoiding its dystopian risks, we must think rationally, globally,
collectively, and optimistically about the long term. Advances in
biotechnology, cybertechnology, robotics, and artificial
intelligence-if pursued and applied wisely-could empower us to
boost the developing and developed world and overcome the threats
humanity faces on Earth, from climate change to nuclear war. At the
same time, further advances in space science will allow humans to
explore the solar system and beyond with robots and AI. But there
is no "Plan B" for Earth-no viable alternative within reach if we
do not care for our home planet. Rich with fascinating insights
into cutting-edge science and technology, this accessible book will
captivate anyone who wants to understand the critical issues that
will define the future of humanity on Earth and beyond.
A beautiful showcase of Johann Doppelmayr's magnificent Atlas
Coelestis that deconstructs its intricately drawn plates and
explores its influential ideas. Showcasing Johann Doppelmayr's
magnificent 1742 map of the cosmos, Atlas Coelestis, this
spectacular guide to the heavens is also a superb introduction to
the fundamentals and history of astronomy. Charting constellations,
planets, comets and moons, Doppelmayr's Atlas presents the ideas
and discoveries of many famous and influential astronomers,
including Copernicus, Riccioli, Kepler, Newton and Halley, in
intricate colour plates that interweave annotated diagrams and
tables with figurative drawings and ornamental features. Here, you
can appreciate the beauty of those exquisite astronomical and
cosmographical plates and comprehend the details, which are also
presented in step-by-step deconstructed form. Astronomer Giles
Sparrow elucidates the scientific ideas inherent in each plate,
expertly decoding and analysing the complex information contained
in them and placing Doppelmayr's sumptuous Atlas in the context of
the ground-breaking discoveries made during the Renaissance and
Enlightenment periods. A spectacular, revelatory celestial
compendium to the cosmos, Phaenomena expands on and explains
Doppelmayr's original, awe-inspiring Atlas and reflects upon its
influence on the development of the science of astronomy to the
present day.
It has already been called the scientific breakthrough of the
century: the detection of gravitational waves. Einstein predicted
these tiny ripples in the fabric of spacetime nearly a hundred
years ago, but they were never perceived directly until now.
Decades in the making, this momentous discovery has given
scientists a new understanding of the cataclysmic events that shape
the universe and a new confirmation of Einstein's theory of general
relativity. Ripples in Spacetime is an engaging account of the
international effort to complete Einstein's project, capture his
elusive ripples, and launch an era of gravitational-wave astronomy
that promises to explain, more vividly than ever before, our
universe's structure and origin. The quest for gravitational waves
involved years of risky research and many personal and professional
struggles that threatened to derail one of the world's largest
scientific endeavors. Govert Schilling takes readers to sites where
these stories unfolded-including Japan's KAGRA detector, Chile's
Atacama Cosmology Telescope, the South Pole's BICEP detectors, and
the United States' LIGO labs. He explains the seeming impossibility
of developing technologies sensitive enough to detect waves from
two colliding black holes in the very distant universe, and
describes the astounding precision of the LIGO detectors. Along the
way Schilling clarifies concepts such as general relativity,
neutron stars, and the big bang using language that readers with
little scientific background can grasp. Ripples in Spacetime
provides a window into the next frontiers of astronomy, weaving
far-reaching predictions and discoveries into a gripping story of
human ambition and perseverance.
Our universe seems strangely "biophilic," or hospitable to life. Is
this happenstance, providence, or coincidence? According to
cosmologist Martin Rees, the answer depends on the answer to
another question, the one posed by Einstein's famous remark: "What
interests me most is whether God could have made the world
differently." This highly engaging book explores the fascinating
consequences of the answer being "yes." Rees explores the notion
that our universe is just a part of a vast "multiverse," or
ensemble of universes, in which most of the other universes are
lifeless. What we call the laws of nature would then be no more
than local bylaws, imposed in the aftermath of our own Big Bang. In
this scenario, our cosmic habitat would be a special, possibly
unique universe where the prevailing laws of physics allowed life
to emerge. Rees begins by exploring the nature of our solar system
and examining a range of related issues such as whether our
universe is or isn't infinite. He asks, for example: How likely is
life? How credible is the Big Bang theory? Rees then peers into the
long-range cosmic future before tracing the causal chain backward
to the beginning. He concludes by trying to untangle the
paradoxical notion that our entire universe, stretching 10 billion
light-years in all directions, emerged from an infinitesimal speck.
As Rees argues, we may already have intimations of other universes.
But the fate of the multiverse concept depends on the still-unknown
bedrock nature of space and time on scales a trillion trillion
times smaller than atoms, in the realm governed by the quantum
physics of gravity. Expanding our comprehension of the cosmos, Our
Cosmic Habitat will be read and enjoyed by all those--scientists
and nonscientists alike--who are as fascinated by the universe we
inhabit as is the author himself.
Richly illustrated with the images from observatories on the ground
and in space, and computer simulations, this book shows how black
holes were discovered, and discusses what we've learned about their
nature and their role in cosmic evolution. This thoroughly updated
third edition covers new discoveries made in the past decade,
including the discovery of gravitational waves from merging black
holes and neutron stars, the first close-up images of the region
near a black hole event horizon, and observations of debris from
stars torn apart when they ventured too close to a supermassive
black hole. Avoiding mathematics, the authors blend theoretical
arguments with observational results to demonstrate how both have
contributed to the subject. Clear, explanatory illustrations and
photographs reveal the strange and amazing workings of our
universe. The engaging style makes this book suitable for
introductory undergraduate courses, amateur astronomers, and all
readers interested in astronomy and physics.
Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington (1882-1944) was a key figure in the
development of modern astrophysics, who also made important
contributions to the philosophy of science and popular science
writing. The Arthur Eddington Memorial Trust was set up after his
death in order to hold annual lectures on the relationship between
scientific thought and aspects of philosophy, religion or ethics.
This 2012 collection gathers together six of these lectures,
including contributions by Sir Edmund Whittaker, Herbert Dingle,
Richard B. Braithwaite, John C. Eccles, Dame Kathleen Lonsdale, and
Baroness Mary Warnock, together with Eddington's 1929 Swarthmore
Lecture on Science and the Unseen World. A preface written by the
Astronomer Royal, Baron Rees of Ludlow, is also included. This is a
fascinating book that will be of value to anyone with an interest
in the philosophy of science and Eddington's legacy.
Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington (1882 1944) was a key figure in the
development of modern astrophysics, who also made important
contributions to the philosophy of science and popular science
writing. The Arthur Eddington Memorial Trust was set up after his
death in order to hold annual lectures on the relationship between
scientific thought and aspects of philosophy, religion or ethics.
This 2012 collection gathers together six of these lectures,
including contributions by Sir Edmund Whittaker, Herbert Dingle,
Richard B. Braithwaite, John C. Eccles, Dame Kathleen Lonsdale, and
Baroness Mary Warnock, together with Eddington's 1929 Swarthmore
Lecture on Science and the Unseen World. A preface written by the
Astronomer Royal, Baron Rees of Ludlow, is also included. This is a
fascinating book that will be of value to anyone with an interest
in the philosophy of science and Eddington's legacy.
A provocative and inspiring look at the future of humanity and
science from world-renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin
Rees Humanity has reached a critical moment. Our world is unsettled
and rapidly changing, and we face existential risks over the next
century. Various outcomes-good and bad-are possible. Yet our
approach to the future is characterized by short-term thinking,
polarizing debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. In this
short, exhilarating book, renowned scientist and bestselling author
Martin Rees argues that humanity's prospects depend on our taking a
very different approach to planning for tomorrow. The future of
humanity is bound to the future of science and hinges on how
successfully we harness technological advances to address our
challenges. If we are to use science to solve our problems while
avoiding its dystopian risks, we must think rationally, globally,
collectively, and optimistically about the long term. Advances in
biotechnology, cybertechnology, robotics, and artificial
intelligence-if pursued and applied wisely-could empower us to
boost the developing and developed world and overcome the threats
humanity faces on Earth, from climate change to nuclear war. At the
same time, further advances in space science will allow humans to
explore the solar system and beyond with robots and AI. But there
is no "Plan B" for Earth-no viable alternative within reach if we
do not care for our home planet. Rich with fascinating insights
into cutting-edge science and technology, this accessible book will
captivate anyone who wants to understand the critical issues that
will define the future of humanity on Earth and beyond.
Marvel at the wonders of the Universe, from stars and planets to
black holes and nebulae, in this exploration of our Solar System
and beyond. Universe opens with a look at astronomy and the history
of the Universe, using 3D artworks to provide a comprehensive
grounding in the fundamental concepts of astronomy, including the
basic techniques of practical astronomy. The core of the book is a
tour of the cosmos covering the Solar System, the Milky Way, and
galaxies beyond our own. Explanatory pages introduce different
celestial phenomena, such as galaxies, and are followed by
catalogues that profile the most interesting and important
examples. A comprehensive star atlas completes the picture, with
entries on each of the 88 constellations and a monthly sky guide
showing the night sky as it appears throughout the year as viewed
from both the northern and southern hemispheres.
This volume presents an unique and accessible synthesis of modern cosmology. In recent years, observational cosmology has made remarkable advances, bringing into sharper focus a new set of fundamental questions that Martin Rees addresses in this book. Why is the universe expanding the way it is? What were the 'seeds' that caused galaxies, clusters and superclusters to form? What is the nature of 'dark matter'? What happened in the very early universe? The latest exciting advances and theories are discussed, while maintaining a clear distinction between aspects that now have a firm empirical basis and those that remain speculative.
A Physics Today Best Book of the Year A Forbes "For the Physics and
Astronomy Lover in Your Life" Selection "Succinct, accessible, and
remarkably timely... This book is a rare find." -Physics Today
"Belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in learning the
scientific, historical, and personal stories behind some of the
most incredible scientific advances of the 21st century." -Forbes
The detection of gravitational waves has already been called the
scientific breakthrough of the century. Einstein predicted these
tiny ripples in the fabric of spacetime over a hundred years ago,
but they were only recently perceived directly for the first time.
Ripples in Spacetime is an engaging account of the international
effort to complete Einstein's project, capture his elusive ripples,
and launch an era of gravitational-wave astronomy that promises to
explain, more vividly than ever before, our universe's structure
and origin. "Schilling's deliciously nerdy grand tour takes us
through compelling backstory, current research, and future
expectations." -Nature "A lively and readable account... Schilling
underlines that this discovery is the opening of a new window on
the universe, the beginning of a new branch of science." -Graham
Farmelo, The Guardian
Bolstered by unassailable science and delivered in eloquent style,
"Our Final Hour"'s provocative argument that humanity has a mere
5050 chance of surviving the next century has struck a chord with
readers, reviewers, and opinion-makers everywhere. Rees's vision of
our immediate future is both a work of stunning scientific
originality and a humanistic clarion call on behalf of the future
of life.
Popular cosmologist Martin Rees of Cambridge University traces the
essential features of the physical cosmos to six numbers imprinted
in the Big Bang, and argues that if a single one were untuned,
there would be no stars and no life.
In this landmark book, one of the twentieth century's greatest
astronomers presents scientific evidence that our vast universe may
be only a grain of sand on the infinite cosmic shore.It is now
widely accepted that our universe exploded around 15 billion years
ago from an unimaginably energetic initial event: the big bang. As
the primordial material expanded and cooled, it evolved into the
exquisite patterns of stars and galaxies we now observe. The mix of
energy and radiation that characterizes our universe was imprinted
in that initial instant,as were the binding forces of nuclear
physics and gravity that controlled our universe's evolution.The
experimental triumphs and theoretical insights of recent years,from
the detection of neutrinos from exploding stars to the search for
extraterrestrial life,offer the most dramatic enlargement in our
concept of the universe since astronomers first realized the sun's
true place among the stars. In this illuminating work, Sir Martin
Rees, Britain's Astronomer Royal and one of the most creative and
original of contemporary scientists, draws these advances together
with up-to-the-minute research on black holes, dark matter, and
nucleosynthesis of the elements. He also sheds light on some of the
personalities behind the science, offering first-hand impressions
of Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Stephen Hawking, John Archibald
Wheeler, and Fred Hoyle, among others.With stunning clarity,
Professor Rees argues that a family,even an infinity,of universes
may have been created, each by its own big bang, and each acquiring
a distinctive imprint and its own laws of physics. These baby
universes will either live out their immense cosmic cycle, or die
because those laws do not allow them to achieve longevity.Our "home
universe," then, is just one element in a cosmic archipelago where
impassable barriers prohibit communication between the islands.
But, as Rees demonstrates, our universe is an exceptional member of
this infinite ensemble, for it is still near the beginning of a
fascinating evolutionary process that will end either in the
heat-death of external expansion, or in what scientists call a "big
crunch." Most remarkable of all, our universe contains creatures
able to observe it. The multi-universe revolution in cosmological
thought limned by Rees casts a piercing light on man's place in the
cosmos, and argues that the conditions permitting the evolution of
life stand on the razor's edge between a dead universe and one
filled with living beings.
World authority on astrophysics, Sir Martin Rees, takes us on a
journey through all the things which could wipe out mankind in the
near future. From asteroids to disease to scientific discoveries
gone wrong (from nanobots to the large Hadron collider) these are
scenarios from disaster movies, analysed with a serious scientific
eye. Some of these things definitely won't happen, some genuinely
might - this is one book you won't be able to put down and which
you'll never forget.
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