Visit to a Small Universe: 4 (Masters of Modern Physics) - Hardcover

Trimble, Virginia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0883187922 ISBN 13: 9780883187920

Publisher: American Institute of Physics, 1997

Synopsis

"Blurb & Contents" A select group of top Soviet and American specialists reports in this volume from the frontiers of chaos and nonlinear science. The papers grew out of the rest of a series of annual conferences organized by the American Institute of Physics and VAAP, the Russian Copyright Agency, with the cooperation of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Contributors have provided forward-looking papers that deal with the field's most exciting and frustrating problems. In keeping with the spirit of the summer 1989 meeting in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, the papers are far-ranging and individual, including general discussion, philosophy, opinion, and humor.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Virginia Trimble possesses the rare ability to distill the deepest meanings of astronomy and astrophysics and articulate them in a manner smoothly accessible to professionals and the public alike. This superb collection takes us on an exciting odyssey back in time, out in space, and finally, down to earth again. It begins in the Fertile Crescent, with phenomena and physical structures that have long been the subject of intense debate. Were the unique air shafts burrowed through Cheops' pyramid simply for ventilation? Or were the openings purposefully placed to provide a path to the heavens for the soul of the deceased Pharaoh? Could a real astronomical event have been associated with the Star of Bethlehem and what would its significance have been to astrologers of the time? Trimble then guides us through our vast, astonishing universe, providing a close-up look at the formation of galaxies, a glimpse into the lives and deaths of stars, and thoughts on the elusive nature of dark matter. We are brought back to earth with a sobering examination of the obstacles that lie in the path of scientific research today. We are then treated to intimate portraits of noted scientists - Martin Rees, Beatrice Tinsley, among others who helped chart the course of twentieth-century astronomy. With wit, charm, and an uncanny ability to illuminate technical implications with master strokes of simplicity, Virginia Trimble weaves two important themes. First, that we really understand much of what our universe is like on a large scale; and second, that unanswered questions are at least as exciting as those we think we've answered.

Synopsis:

In this fascination and accessible tour of the stars, noted writer and speaker Virginia Trimble discusses the search for life on other planets; how galaxies form; why stars explode and die; and the elusive nature of the dark matter in the universe. Trimble speculates on perplexing, unanswered questions and points to the formidible tasks to be faced by the next generation of astronomers. General science readers interested in astronomy and astrophysics.

About this edition

• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0883187922
• ISBN 13: 9780883187920
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 351