Book Description
Research on extrasolar planets is one of the most exciting fields of activity in astrophysics. In a decade only, a huge step forward has been made from the early speculations on the existence of planets orbiting "other stars" to the first discoveries and to the characterization of extrasolar planets. This breakthrough is the result of a growing interest of a large community of researchers as well as the development of a wide range of new observational techniques and facilities. Based on their lectures given at the 31st Saas-Fee Advanced Course, Andreas Quirrenbach, Tristan Guillot and Pat Cassen have written up up-to-date comprehensive lecture notes on the "Detection and Characterization of Extrasolar Planets", "Physics of Substellar Objects Interiors, Atmospheres, Evolution" and "Protostellar Disks and Planet Formation". This book will serve graduate students, lecturers and scientists entering the field of extrasolar planets as detailed and comprehensive introduction.
Book Description
Merely a decade ago there were no known planets orbiting sunlike stars outside our own solar system. In the past ten years, however, fast-paced developments in astronomy have revealed over 140 extrasolar planets--with more discoveries surely on the way. Though it will be years before we have direct images of these far-flung worlds, this lavishly illustrated book gives us an idea of what they might look like. A fascinating exploration of the cosmos written for a wide audience, Infinite Worlds brings together Lynette Cook's internationally renowned astronomical artwork, the latest and most dramatic images from the world's top observatories, and up-to-the-minute scientific findings on subjects ranging from the big bang and stellar evolution to a possible universe filled with countless planets and life forms.
The newly discovered planets are boggling astronomers' minds with their bizarre characteristics, including an unimagined diversity of sizes and orbits. In Lynette Cook's scientifically based illustrations--many newly created for this book--we glimpse the landscapes and atmospheres that might adorn these planets. Ray Villard's text elegantly describes the state of astronomy today, imagines where it will take us in the coming years, ponders the chances of success for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), and explores the survivability of life in an evolving and accelerating universe.
Customer Reviews:
Mind Expanding.......2007-02-10
The text and artwork in this volume are first class. The art is exceptionally beautiful and is only enhanced by the story. Together, they bring together what we know with what is likely and expands that to a universe of pure possibility. There's nothing dry about this marvelous work. Infinite Worlds is noteworthy accomplishment.
reminds me of Bonestall's paintings.......2006-11-05
The images are everything in this book. Not that the text is badly written. Far from it. But the text is clearly subordinate to letting you see the imagination of many talented artists, as they depict worlds in other planetary systems. Speculative, but based on solid science. And astronomers now have detected over 200 worlds. The book explains how from sometimes single pixels, information is teased out about a world. Impressive. We now have detected enough worlds that we can start talking of classifications and statistics across worlds.
What the book clearly leads up to is a desire for more, better images. Well, you will have to wait at least 10 years, as new telescopes are being constructed.
Science fiction readers might compare these paintings to those made decades ago by Chesley Bonestall. His were necessarily more imaginative. But both types can be very evocative.
Different book than the title might suggest........2006-05-17
The title of this book is "Infinite Worlds: An Illustrated Voyage to Planets beyond our Sun". However, only a fraction of the book actually deals with extrasolar planets. I purchased this book based on the assumption that it would be about extrasolar planets. Instead most of the book is based on theories of galaxy formations, birth and death of stars and planets, and theoretical extraterrestrial life. It also describes our Solar System in detail. The artwork is very good although other space artists I have seen on the internet have superior artistic ability than Cook. Overall, though, this is still an interesting book. But potential readers should know that this is not a book about extrasolar planets.
nice but flawed.......2005-09-21
excellent atrwork of the highest standard; would have been nice to have mentioned HD114762, the FIRST extrasolar planet discovered by the center for astrophysics in 1989.
Infinitely enjoyable...........2005-06-22
A very delightful book. The writing by Ray Villard was surprisingly different than most "astro books" by *not* sounding like a textbook. There are many interesting facts and tidbits that I had not heard before that made reading it quite interesting. Lyn's art of course made the book. There are dozens of her trademark-styled images, each illustrating what the writer is saying. I particularly liked Lyn's use of stratus layers in the landscapes. Five of the images must have taken ages to paint with all the layers in there (Greenhouse Earth on pg 49, HD 16141 b and Moon on pg 108, Planet in the Virgo Cluster on pg 190, Terrestrial Planet at 55 Cancri on pg 171, and Planet Near the Siamese Squid Nebula on pg 53). The Siamese Squid image is really eye-catching with it's pink and green layers and Planet at 55 Cancri is a gorgeous painting in brilliant reds and yellows of sunset. Lyn's attention to the way the waves of the lake curve and reflect the light is just amazing, as is the detailed way the shadows of the rocks fall on the water. This is my favorite image of the book. Another very effective painting is HD 177830 b and Moon on pg 117, a beautiful image of a habitable moon orbiting a Saturnian-like panet. Imagine the night view beings on this planet would have! In fact, I found almost every image in the book to be excellent and inspiring. All-in-all, Lyn's done a remarkable job in this book, definitely a "must add" to your astronomical art collection.
Book Description
The theory, observations, and applications of gravitational lensing constitute one of the most rapidly growing branches of astrophysics. The gravitational deflection of light generated by mass concentrations along a light path produces magnification, multiplicity, and distortion of images and delays photon propagation from one line of sight relative to another. The huge amount of scientific work produced over the last decade on gravitational lensing has clearly revealed its already substantial and wide impact and its potential for future astrophysical applications.
The up-to-date contributions in this book are based on the lecture notes of the 33rd Saas–Fee Advanced Course of the Swiss Society of Astronomy and Astrophysics, entitled Gravitational Lensing: Strong, Weak, and Micro. The book comprises four complementary parts, written by leading experts in the field, constituting a genuine textbook about gravitational lensing.
Students and researchers alike will benefit from this comprehensive presentation of the astrophysical and astronomical aspects of gravitational lensing.
Book Description
With the discovery in 1995 of the first planet orbiting another star, we now realize that planets are not unique to our own Solar System. For centuries, humanity has wondered whether we are alone in the Universe. We are now finally one step closer to knowing the answer. The quest for exoplanets is an exciting one because it holds the possibility that one day we might find life elsewhere in the Universe, born in the light of another sun. Written from the perspective of one of the pioneers of this scientific adventure, this exciting account describes the development of the modern observing technique that has enabled astronomers to find so many planets orbiting around other stars. It reveals the wealth of new planets that have now been discovered outside our Solar System, and the meaning of this finding as it concerns other life in the Universe. Michel Mayor is Director of the Observatory of Geneva, Switzerland. In 1995, together with Didier Queloz, he discovered the first extrasolar planet (51 Peg b) around a main sequence star, and has discovered many more since. His work earned him the prestigious Balzan Prize in 2000, for Instrumentation and Techniques in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Pierre-Yves Frei is a science journalist with the Swiss newspaper, Lausanne Hebdo. In 1998 he was awarded the Media Prize of the Swiss Natural Sciences Academy for science popularization. Boud Roukema is the translator.
Customer Reviews:
The Quest to find Worlds Outside our Solar System.......2005-10-18
+++++
This book, by distinguished astronomer Dr. Michel Mayor and science journalist Pierre-Yves Frei is about extrasolar planets or simply exoplanets that are planets located outside our solar system. Mayor was the co-discoverer in 1995 of the first exoplanet (named 51 Pegasus b or HD 217014 b).
This is the book to get if you want to understand everything about exoplanets. Considering the subject matter, I found this book surprisingly easy to read. (That is, you don't have to be a science geek to read and understand it.)
There are ten chapters. Below I will give the titles and state briefly what I consider are some of the main topics of each chapter. I will give a sample sentence in quotation marks from a few of these chapters.
(1) THE QUEST BEGINS.
Stars in general, planets in general, more on 51 Pegasus b (or 51 Peg b).
"Other worlds exist, there are thousands of them, an infinity of other worlds, just as [those of the past] had imagined."
(2) INFINITY AND BEYOND.
Aristotle and the finite universe; Epicurus and the infinite universe; Ptolemy; the worlds beyond the solar system of Giordano Bruno; Tycho Brahe, Kepler; Galileo; Newton; sky measurements; galaxies.
"There was a time when no one would have bet on the existence of a planet further than [the sixth planet] Saturn. But in less than two hundred years, three new celestial objects were added to [our] solar system. Planet chasing is an ancient art."
(3) NEW ARRIVALS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM.
The discoveries of the seventh, eighth, and ninth planets of our solar system with a mention of the hypothesized planets Vulcan and Planet X.
(4) WHY STARS WOBBLE.
Proper Motion, sun oscillation, rumors of exoplanets, classical astrometry. (Astrometry is a method for detecting exoplanets.)
(5) NEUTRON PLANETS.
Pulsars (that is, pulsating stars or rapidly rotating neutron stars), lives of stars, rumors about planets (pulsar planets), the PSR 1257+12 exoplanetary system.
(6) BROWN DWARFS IN THE HEADLINES
An examination of hypothetical brown dwarfs that are essentially failed stars. The least massive brown dwarfs should have the same mass as the exoplanets discovered so far. Are exoplanets being confused with small brown dwarfs?
(7) SIRENS IN THE COSMOS.
The era of spectrography (or spectroscopy which is the study of spectra), the first exoplanetary searches, the radial velocity method (another method for detecting exoplanets).
(8) FOREIGN PLANETS DIFFERENT TO OUR HOMEGROWN ONES
Planet formation, the very eccentric orbits of exoplanets, exoplanetary systems with multiple planets, metallic stars.
(9) DESTINATION: EARTHS!
First visible exoplanet, the transit method (another method for detecting exoplanets), microlensing (yet another method for detecting exoplanets), interferometry (a technique for creating very big telescopes), taking a photo of another earth.
(10) FURTHER YET: LIFE
What is life, emergence of life on earth, life in the solar system, habitable planets, SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence).
"Will we find extraterrestrial life? Has another planet in the Universe succeeded in assembling the extraordinary...conditions that life seems to require in order to appear? This is the ultimate question that lies behind the quest for exoplanets."
There is also an appendix called "Properties of the exoplanets." Here you'll find the names of just over 100 exoplanets discovered up to October 2002. The properties given for each is mass (in our planet's Jupiter masses), orbital period (in Earth days), and eccentricity. (Orbital period is the time in Earth days the planet takes to complete an orbit. Eccentricity describes the shapes of elliptical orbits where the closer this value is to 1.0, the longer and thinner the orbit.)
This appendix is fascinating. However, I couldn't understand why the authors did not give the properties (named above) for planet Earth so as to be used for comparison. Sure most people know that the Earth's period is about 365 days. But how many people know what its mass is in Jupiter masses or what its eccentricity is? (The Earth's orbit is almost a circle so its eccentricity is very low: about 0.016. The Earth's mass in Jupiter masses is about 0.003.)
Another valuable feature of this book is that it has a good, brief glossary. I found this invaluable for clarifying key terms.
A feature of this book's bibliography is that it has the names of 10 interesting internet sites.
This gem of a book has more than 25 very informative illustrations throughout. As well, there is a set of color plates in the form of 15 photographs found near the middle of the book.
Finally, the only problem I had with this book is that there is no index. I couldn't understand this since the rest of the book is so well laid out. (Even the illustrations are indexed in the table of contents.) As you can see from my summary of the 10 chapters, this book offers a wealth of information. Thus I thought the lack of an index was a major oversight.
In conclusion, this is a unique book that explains a new and interesting science: the quest for exoplanets. If you want to find out more about exoplanets, then this is the definitive book to read!!
(first published 2003; list of figures; preface; acknowledgements; 10 chapters; main narrative 235 pages; appendix; glossary; bibliography)
+++++
Average customer rating:
|
New Light on Dark Stars: Red Dwarfs, Low-Mass Stars, Brown Stars (Springer Praxis Books / Astrophysics and Astronomy)
Neil Reid , and
Suzanne L. Hawley
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Astronomy
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Red Dwarf
| Media
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Astronomy
| Astronomy
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
All Amazon Upgrade
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Professional & Technical
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Science
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Professional
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Science
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 3540251243 |
Book Description
There has been very considerable progress in research into low-mass stars, brown dwarfs and extrasolar planets during the past few years, particularly since the fist edtion of this book was published in 2000. In this new edtion the authors present a comprehensive review of both the astrophysical nature of individual red dwarf and brown dwarf stars and their collective statistical properties as an important Galactic stellar population. Chapters dealing with the observational properies of low-mass dwarfs, the stellar mass function and extrasolar planets have been completely revised. Other chapters have been significantly revised and updated as appropriate, including important new material on observational techniques, stellar acivity, the Galactic halo and field star surveys. The authors detail the many discoveries of new brown dwarfs and extrasolar planets made since publication of the first edition of the book and provide a state-of-the-art review of our current knowledge of very low-mass stars, brown dwarfs and extrasolar planets, including both the latest observational results and theoretical work.
Average customer rating:
- Most enjoyable and readable
- Accessible, humanizing book on the search for planets
- Planet Quest: Great for beginners!
- Easy Read: It moves you forward
- Excellent, detailed, informative and a good read.
|
Planet Quest: The Epic Discovery of Alien Solar Systems
Ken Croswell
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Astronomy
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Cosmology
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Solar System
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Universe
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Cosmology
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Astronomy
| Astronomy
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Cosmology
| Astronomy
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Distant Wanderers: The Search for Planets Beyond the Solar System
-
New Worlds in the Cosmos: The Discovery of Exoplanets
ASIN: 015600612X |
Amazon.com
Astronomers confirmed the existence of planets outside our own solar system relatively recently--in 1992. Their long-anticipated discovery was hardly a surprise, but was quite a while in coming. Nobody has found an Earth-like world that is able to sustain life as we know it, but it seems only a matter of time before that happens. Meanwhile, Planet Quest explains the science behind the search for new planets. Readers who need to brush up on the basics of their own solar system will find a helpful introductory chapter, as well as an interesting discussion of why there is probably no "Planet X" orbiting the Sun beyond Pluto. The bulk of the book, of course, is devoted to extrasolar worlds and the planet hunters who seek them.
Book Description
A leading astronomer provides an “excellent introduction” (New York Times Book Review) to the search for faraway planets and extraterrestrial life-a “fascinating” guide (Astronomy) that is “everything a good science-for-the-public book should be” (Cleveland Plain Dealer). Black-and-white photographs.
Customer Reviews:
Most enjoyable and readable.......2007-09-03
This is one of the most enjoyable and most readable books I've read on any aspect of astronomy. It does show that some planetary astronomers are a bit more human than they ought to be, putting fame ahead of knowledge, but at least they're fussing about something that might conceivably be useful (but hardly, right?) and not about how old Time is, or how to convince me that there is no center to the universe although 'it did so start with an explosion!'. Much of astronomy, and all of cosmology, is just a big boondoggle for smart graduate students and their mentors, but at least the ones Ken Croswell writes about are almost 'down to earth'.
Accessible, humanizing book on the search for planets.......2002-02-02
This is an excellent book on the given subject, covering the history of the search for other planets in a technically proficient but accessible way. Croswell frequently brings in the scientists involved and lets us hear what they have to say. Since the search for planets has often been controversial, this makes for exciting reading sometimes, as two leaders in the field take turns taking potshots at each other.
Mostly, though, it brings more of a human face to this arcane endeavor. Croswell also takes pains to explain how the search is progressing and how so many false alarms have managed to take place over the years.
Again, an excellent book.
Planet Quest: Great for beginners!.......2001-06-13
Planet Quest is a great book for all you armchair astronomers who want to learn more! I am not an astronomer or even an amateur astronomer, in fact, Planet Quest is only the Third book I've read on the subject but my interest is growing. Planet Quest is very easy to understand because all of the scientific jargon is followed by words and explanations that beginners, like you and me, can follow. Read this book, you won't be disappointed!
Easy Read: It moves you forward.......2000-04-06
I generally liked this book. I will mention here that the author does tend to write in all the politics amongst the different astronomers and their institutions, making these people real and their discoveries intriguing. However, the bitterness he dotes on gets tiring in some places. Also, he writes to keep you in suspence and only a few times does the anticipation get annoying.
Excellent, detailed, informative and a good read........1999-10-24
Ken Croswell's book, "Planet Quest" is a must for anyone interested in the search for planets outside of the solar system. The book reads well, telling a fascinating story from the beginnings of speculation about the existence of alien worlds right up to the present when information is coming to us all the time about strange new worlds around distant stars. Anybody with an interest in the possibilities of life elsewhere must read this book.
Average customer rating:
- Distant Wanderers
- An Understandable and Readable Account of Distant Wanderers
- Wander with the author in this new book about planets
- Wander with the author in this new book about planets
- Wander with the author in this new book about planets
|
Distant Wanderers: The Search for Planets Beyond the Solar System
Bruce Dorminey
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Aeronautics & Astronautics
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Astronomy
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Astrophysics & Space Science
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Comets, Meteors & Asteroids
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Cosmology
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Cosmology
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Astronomy
| Astronomy
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Astrophysics & Space Science
| Astronomy
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Cosmology
| Astronomy
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
All Amazon Upgrade
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Professional & Technical
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Science
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
New Worlds in the Cosmos: The Discovery of Exoplanets
-
Planet Quest: The Epic Discovery of Alien Solar Systems
ASIN: 0387950745 |
Book Description
Recent discoveries of planet-like objects circling other sun-like stars have stirred enormous interest in what other planets may exist in the universe, and whether they support intelligent life, or at least could do so. This book will take us into the thick of this search for extrasolar planets. Unlike other books, it will focus on the people behind the searches--many of whom the author knows--and the extraordinary technology that is on the drawing boards and currently in use to detect distant wanderers and describe their characteristics, thus bringing us to the cutting edge of knowledge of the subject. The author is an experienced, award-winning science journalist who was technology correspondent for the Financial Times of London and is now working as a journalist in France. He has written on many topics in astronomy and astrobiology, and has had pieces published in over 35 different newspapers and magazines worldwide.
Customer Reviews:
Distant Wanderers.......2002-08-23
In an age of the human race's thirst for information regarding the unknown, Bruce Dorminey, hits it out of the galaxy. Extrasolar planets are the rave of future astronomers and to receive first hand knowledge from someone who has become close to the scientists involved in the discoveries allows us, the reader, to get a detailed description of the process and history not seen before. This book is a must for anyone with even the slightest interest in the subject. Fantastic Job, Bruce.
An Understandable and Readable Account of Distant Wanderers.......2002-05-28
A very timely book! Five years ago there wasn?t enough progress and news to warrant a book on this intriguing subject. Today this field is teeming with excitement and new discoveries. This book takes you behind the scenes of the serious research that is focused on finding planets beyond the solar system.
Bruce Dorminey does an excellent job of setting the stage. For the layman, like me, there are simple explanations of the more technical terms and concepts. These are welcome and wisely placed within the text, making the book highly readable. The professional merely skips over these italicized paragraphs.
As he travels the world to visit observatories, scientists and their scientific conferences, Mr Dorminey adds his own observations of the localities, the technical facilities and the personalities behind some of these remarkable discoveries. Amongst others, we follow him to Chile, Hawaii, the south of France and even the Isle of Capri!
The final chapters on Signatures of Life and Signals of Life are what this search is all about. Fascinating reading!
It is enjoyable and well worth the time to read this well written book on a truly absorbing subject.
Wander with the author in this new book about planets.......2002-03-19
The search for planets in orbit around stars outside our own Solar Systems is one of the most exciting fields of science today. Since the first indirect detection of a planet circling another Sun-like star was announced in 1995, dozens of extrasolar planets have been discovered.
In Distant Wanderers, Bruce Dorminey looks at the history, methods, and future of extrasolar planet hunting. He predicts, "Before the end of this new century, every schoolchild will know for certain how many planers circle nearby stars," and whether or not Earth-like planets are a rare anomaly. Like many rapidly developing scientific fields, the search for extra-solar planets has had many controversies and false starts along with the startling new discoveries, and the book presents a variety of theories and viewpoints in a fair and even-handed way.
In the first part of the book, Dorminey, an award-winning science journalist and former bureau chief for Aviation Week & Space Technology, describes methods that planet hunters have used (spectroscopic methods, astrometric detection, interferometry, microlensing, transit studies, and direct imaging through the use of a coronagraphic mask in the focal plane a camera). Although most of these methods require sophisticated technology and painstaking analysis, he explains each term or concept as it is introduced. He makes the science seem simple enough for lay readers to grasp and explains the strengths and limitations of each method.
The rest of the book looks ahead to programs that are planned for the future, including telescopes in space and larger, more sophisticated instruments here on Earth. Some of these programs are already funded and will begin soon. Others are nd ambitious ideas that may not be attempted for years, if they ever happen at all.
Dorminey explains current ideas about formation of planets and discusses the search for Earth-like planets and for chemical signatures of extraterrestrial life. Through interviews with numerous researchers and experts, he presents information on what has already been learned about extrasolar planets and gives readers a feeling for the personalities and activities involved in doing this kind of research. In the process of writing Distant Wanderers, Dorminey himself wandered to far-off places, meeting the scientists and visiting the telescopes that are searching for extrasolar planets. His reports on his travels make the book much more human, interesting, and also tell us something about the writer.
After a visiting the European South Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile's Atacama Desert, Dorminey wrote, "After a night on an observatory mountain, E-mails left unanswered and faxes gone missing seem trivial indeed. I knew that a thousand miles south and several thousand miles north, the world was racing hither and yon. But for me, at that moment, my own existence seemed as precarious as the shallow atmosphere separating us from the nothingness beyond. If only for a fleeting minute, it was impossible not to imagine Earth as it really is: an oasis in the midst of a relative void."
Perhaps you can't quit your day job to make a grand tour of observatories. If that's the case, buy this book and read it. I learned and enjoyed. So will you.
Wander with the author in this new book about planets.......2002-03-19
The search for planets in orbit around stars outside our own Solar Systems is one of the most exciting fields of science today. Since the first indirect detection of a planet circling another Sun-like star was announced in 1995, dozens of extrasolar planets have been discovered.
In Distant Wanderers, Bruce Dorminey looks at the history, methods, and future of extrasolar planet hunting. He predicts, "Before the end of this new century, every schoolchild will know for certain how many planers circle nearby stars," and whether or not Earth-like planets are a rare anomaly. Like many rapidly developing scientific fields, the search for extra-solar planets has had many controversies and false starts along with the startling new discoveries, and the book presents a variety of theories and viewpoints in a fair and even-handed way.
In the first part of the book, Dorminey, an award-winning science journalist and former bureau chief for Aviation Week & Space Technology, describes methods that planet hunters have used (spectroscopic methods, astrometric detection, interferometry, microlensing, transit studies, and direct imaging through the use of a coronagraphic mask in the focal plane a camera). Although most of these methods require sophisticated technology and painstaking analysis, he explains each term or concept as it is introduced. He makes the science seem simple enough for lay readers to grasp and explains the strengths and limitations of each method.
The rest of the book looks ahead to programs that are planned for the future, including telescopes in space and larger, more sophisticated instruments here on Earth. Some of these programs are already funded and will begin soon. Others are nd ambitious ideas that may not be attempted for years, if they ever happen at all.
Dorminey explains current ideas about formation of planets and discusses the search for Earth-like planets and for chemical signatures of extraterrestrial life. Through interviews with numerous researchers and experts, he presents information on what has already been learned about extrasolar planets and gives readers a feeling for the personalities and activities involved in doing this kind of research. In the process of writing Distant Wanderers, Dorminey himself wandered to far-off places, meeting the scientists and visiting the telescopes that are searching for extrasolar planets. His reports on his travels make the book much more human, interesting, and also tell us something about the writer.
After a visiting the European South Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile's Atacama Desert, Dorminey wrote, "After a night on an observatory mountain, E-mails left unanswered and faxes gone missing seem trivial indeed. I knew that a thousand miles south and several thousand miles north, the world was racing hither and yon. But for me, at that moment, my own existence seemed as precarious as the shallow atmosphere separating us from the nothingness beyond. If only for a fleeting minute, it was impossible not to imagine Earth as it really is: an oasis in the midst of a relative void."
Perhaps you can't quit your day job to make a grand tour of observatories. If that's the case, buy this book and read it. I learned and enjoyed. So will you.
Wander with the author in this new book about planets.......2002-03-19
The search for planets in orbit around stars outside our own Solar Systems is one of the most exciting fields of science today. Since the first indirect detection of a planet circling another Sun-like star was announced in 1995, dozens of extrasolar planets have been discovered.
In Distant Wanderers, Bruce Dorminey looks at the history, methods, and future of extrasolar planet hunting. He predicts, "Before the end of this new century, every schoolchild will know for certain how many planers circle nearby stars," and whether or not Earth-like planets are a rare anomaly. Like many rapidly developing scientific fields, the search for extra-solar planets has had many controversies and false starts along with the startling new discoveries, and the book presents a variety of theories and viewpoints in a fair and even-handed way.
In the first part of the book, Dorminey, an award-winning science journalist and former bureau chief for Aviation Week & Space Technology, describes methods that planet hunters have used (spectroscopic methods, astrometric detection, interferometry, microlensing, transit studies, and direct imaging through the use of a coronagraphic mask in the focal plane a camera). Although most of these methods require sophisticated technology and painstaking analysis, he explains each term or concept as it is introduced. He makes the science seem simple enough for lay readers to grasp and explains the strengths and limitations of each method.
The rest of the book looks ahead to programs that are planned for the future, including telescopes in space and larger, more sophisticated instruments here on Earth. Some of these programs are already funded and will begin soon. Others are nd ambitious ideas that may not be attempted for years, if they ever happen at all.
Dorminey explains current ideas about formation of planets and discusses the search for Earth-like planets and for chemical signatures of extraterrestrial life. Through interviews with numerous researchers and experts, he presents information on what has already been learned about extrasolar planets and gives readers a feeling for the personalities and activities involved in doing this kind of research. In the process of writing Distant Wanderers, Dorminey himself wandered to far-off places, meeting the scientists and visiting the telescopes that are searching for extrasolar planets. His reports on his travels make the book much more human, interesting, and also tell us something about the writer.
After a visiting the European South Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile's Atacama Desert, Dorminey wrote, "After a night on an observatory mountain, E-mails left unanswered and faxes gone missing seem trivial indeed. I knew that a thousand miles south and several thousand miles north, the world was racing hither and yon. But for me, at that moment, my own existence seemed as precarious as the shallow atmosphere separating us from the nothingness beyond. If only for a fleeting minute, it was impossible not to imagine Earth as it really is: an oasis in the midst of a relative void."
Perhaps you can't quit your day job to make a grand tour of observatories. If that's the case, buy this book and read it. I learned and enjoyed. So will you.
Book Description
The aim of State of the Universe 2007 (and subsequent volumes issued annually) is to provide an annual astronomy review suitable for the popular science level reader to be published every year in September in a format that will be suitable for an appeal to the Christmas market. The book will cover all major astronomical news on topics beyond the Solar System and place them in the context of the longer term goals that astronomers and astrophysicists around the world are aiming for. The target is to capture the excitement and vibrancy of modern astronomical research. The book will present a complete list of the major announcements, discoveries and news items from each year, with the major ones being explained in detail through selected chapters being written by invited contributors who are at the forefront in those fields. The January meeting of the American Astronomical Society each year will be the major source of astronomical news for the following year’s volume, giving access to potential authors and contacts with public information officers of major observatories, space centers, etc.
The regular set features, which will appear every year, will include an annual chronological list of the latest discoveries announced during the previous twelve months; a review of the major news stories of the year with the main characters; a list of launches of major astronomical observatories/satellites during the past year; a list of planned future astronomical satellites; basic data on all astronomical observatories currently in operation with web links for the reader to dig deeper; list of anniversaries and landmarks; the latest from the BadAstronomy website by Dr Phil Plait, and the cartoon feature.
Customer Reviews:
A must have!.......2007-04-16
When I read about the book I was quite excited and when I received the book, a few days ago, I was not disappointed. The book has a part dedicated to brief news and other with in-depth articles about very interesting topics (gravitational waves and LIGO, supernova 1987A remnants, gamma ray bursts...) and appendixes with data about current and future telescopes and extrasolar planets. I have still not finished it, but it won't take me long to.
Only slight cons is that I expected it to cover 2006 news and, because editorial schedule, it covers march 2005 - march 2006. Then maybe State of the Universe 2007 was not the most proper or accurate title. Other con was that I expected glossy paper, and it's not, Mate astronomical pictures are not so spectacular, but I guess this way it's cheaper (and more ecologic?).
I hope next year will bring a new State of The Universe, and I sure will buy it,
Excelent Information.......2007-03-19
I read the Martin Radcliffe's book "State of the Universe 2007" and I think it was a good idea to write a book like this. It is informative, well documented, comprehensive and provides you a good vision of what is going on in the different areas of the Universe whicha are under investigation. I think he should publish it every year, to keep un up-to-date with the latest discoveries. We could collect them and follow up different researches and their results and novelties. Superb.
Average customer rating:
- 161 planetary candidates in 135 star systems ranging from 8.25 to 9,000 light-years from Earth
|
Extrasolar Planets: A Catalog of All Discoveries in Other Star Systems
Terry L. Kepner
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Astronomy
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Catalogs
| Catalogs & Directories
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Astronomy
| Astronomy
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0786424052 |
Product Description
Astronomers have long looked in vain for evidence of worlds orbiting other stars, but technological advances have made such discoveries far more regular. Several teams continuously work on the planet search using a variety of techniques and equipment; as a result, we know of 161 planetary candidates in 135 star systems, from 8.25 to 9,000 light-years from Earth. This work summarizes information on all the extrasolar planets discovered. Each planet is described in as much detail as is available with graphs indicating how the planet orbits its primary. Details on the primary are given. Additionally, the boundaries of the habitability zone around each star are plotted, and information about the likelihood of terrestrial planets existing in each system is provided. Five appendices are included on such topics as withdrawn and tentative discoveries, the constellations, and masses and orbital characteristics of extrasolar planets.
Customer Reviews:
161 planetary candidates in 135 star systems ranging from 8.25 to 9,000 light-years from Earth.......2005-11-14
Extrasolar Planets: A Catalog Of Discoveries In Other Star Systems by astronomy enthusiast Terry Kepner very nicely summarizes the current state of our information about 161 planetary candidates in 135 star systems ranging from 8.25 to 9,000 light-years from Earth. The superbly written and presented text is enhanced with graphs indicating how the planet orbits its primary with details on the primary provided as well. The boundaries of the "habitability zone" around each star are plotted, and information about the likelihood of terrestrial category plants existing in each system is included as well. Additionally, there are five appendices included covering such topics as withdrawn and tentative discovers, the constellations, as well as masses and orbital characteristics of extrasolar planets. Terry Kepner's Extrasolar Plants is sufficiently scholarly to warrant its inclusion into academic library Astronomical Studies collections, as well as ideal for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in astronomy.
Books:
- Feynman's Lost Lecture: The Motion of Planets Around the Sun
- Fundamental Astronomy
- Heaven and Earth in Early Han Thought: Chapters Three, Four and Five of the Huainanzi (S U N Y Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- BARBRA STREISAND IN NEW YORK CITY: A Self Guided Tour of Landmark Locations in The Career of Barbra
- To Inherit the Earth: The Landless Movement and the Struggle for a New Brazil
- Rebuilding Central Park: A Management and Restoration Plan
- The Man Who Made It Snow
- The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars: The Ultimate Guide to Characters and Creatures from the
- The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain
- The Outermost House: A Year of Life On The Great Beach of Cape Cod
- Coping With Torture: Images from Sudan
- Stress and the Family Vol II: Coping with Catastrophe
- The Complete Encyclopedia Of Roses: Informative Text With Over 1,000 Color Photographs
Planet Formation: Theory, Observations, and Experiments (Cambridge Astrobiology)
Numerical Methods in Astrophysics: An Introduction (Astronomy and Astrophysics)
Astrobiology: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Protostars and Planets V (University of Arizona Space Science Series)
Life in the Universe (2nd Edition)
