Knowledge in a Nutshell: Astrophysics: The complete guide to astrophysics, including galaxies, dark matter and relativity - Softcover

Odenwald, Dr Sten

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1789502209 ISBN 13: 9781789502206

Publisher: Arcturus, 2019

Synopsis

Whether searching for extra-terrestrial life, managing the effects of space weather or learning about dark matter, the study astrophysics has profound implications for us all. NASA scientist and astronomer Sten Odenwald explains the key concepts of this vast topic, bringing clarity to some of the great mysteries of space.

These include:
· The theory of relativity
· Cosmic background radiation
· The evolution of stars
· The formation of the solar system
· The nature of exoplanets
· Space weather systems

Filled with helpful diagrams and simple summaries, Knowledge in a Nutshell: Astrophysics is perfect for the non-expert, taking the complexities of space science and making them tangible.

ABOUT THE SERIES
The 'Knowledge in a Nutshell' series by Arcturus Publishing provides engaging introductions to many fields of knowledge, including philosophy, psychology and physics, and the ways in which human kind has sought to make sense of our world.

About this title

Book Description

What is dark matter? How did our universe begin and how will it end? How do black holes form? NASA scientist and astronomer, Sten Odenwald, explores the key concepts of astrophysics, bringing clarity to some of the great mysteries of space.

About the Author

Dr. Sten Odenwald received his PhD in astrophysics from Harvard University in 1982, and has authored or co-authored over 100 papers and articles in astrophysics and astronomy education. His research interests have involved investigations of massive star formation in the Milky Way, galaxy evolution, accretion disk modelling, and the nature of the cosmic infrared background with the NASA COBE program. During his later years of research, his interests turned to space weather issues and the modelling of solar storm impacts to commercial satellite systems.

At the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, he participates in many NASA programs in space science and math education. He is an award-winning science educator including the twice-awarded prize by the American Astronomical Society Solar Physics Division for his articles on space weather. He also won the 1999 NASA Award of Excellence for Education Outreach, along with numerous other NASA awards for his work in popularizing heliophysics. Since 2008, he has been the Director of the Space Math @ NASA project, which is a program that develops math problems for students of all ages, featuring scientific discoveries from across NASA (http://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov). Currently he is the Director of Citizen Science with the NASA Space Science Education Consortium, where he works with NASA scientists to innovate new citizen science projects for public participation.

Since the 1980s, he has been an active science popularizer and book author with articles appearing in Sky and Telescope and Astronomy magazines as well as Scientific American. His specialty areas include cosmology, string theory and black holes among many other topics at the frontier of astrophysics. He is the author of 19 books ranging from reflections on a career in astronomy to quantum physics and cosmology. He has several websites promoting science education including his blogs and other resources at 'The Astronomy Café' (sten.astronomycafe.net), which was created by him in 1995 and remains one of the oldest astronomy education sites on the internet. He has also appeared on the National Geographic TV special 'Solar Force' 2007, and Planet TV in 2019 with William Shatner, as well as a number of BBC TV specials on space weather including the 8-part Curiosity Stream series on space weather to debut in 2019. He has frequently appeared on radio programs such as National Public Radio's Public Impact, Earth and Sky Radio, and David Levy's Let's Talk Stars.

Edition details

• Publisher: Arcturus
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1789502209
• ISBN 13: 9781789502206
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 240