Astronomy Today

Astronomy with Small Telescopes: Up to 5-inch, 125 mm (Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series)

Astronomy Today — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:11:50 +0000

Author has brought together the experience of small telescope users to provide an insightful look into just what is possible. Written for newcomers to astronomy and experts. Softcover.

Parameter Estimation and Inverse Problems (International Geophysics Series)

Astronomy Today — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:02:36 +0000

Parameter Estimation and Inverse Problems primarily serves as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and introductory graduate courses. Class notes have been developed and reside on the World Wide Web for faciliting use and feedback by teaching colleagues.

The authors’ treatment promotes an understanding of fundamental and practical issus associated with parameter fitting and inverse problems including basic theory of inverse problems, statistical issues, computational issues, and an understanding of how to analyze the success and limitations of solutions to these probles. The text is also a practical resource for general students and professional researchers, where techniques and concepts can be readily picked up on a chapter-by-chapter basis.

Parameter Estimation and Inverse Problems is structured around a course at New Mexico Tech and is designed to be accessible to typical graduate students in the physical sciences who may not have an extensive mathematical background. It is accompanied by a Web site that contains Matlab code corresponding to all examples.

* Designed to be accessible to graduate students and professionals in physical sciences without an extensive mathematical background
* Includes three appendices for review of linear algebra and crucial concepts in statistics
* Battle-tested in courses at several universities
*MATLAB exercises facilitate exploration of material

Illustrated Guide to the Solar System

Astronomy Today — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 01:41:05 +0000

This engaging book explores the solar system and its place in our galaxy and the universe itself. Sections include: Discovering the Solar System, Beyond the Solar System and Exploring the Solar System. An additional reference section contins fact charts, star maps, a glossary of scientific terms, and a full index, making this an essential home reference guide to our solar system and beyond.

Explorations: An Introduction to Astronomy with Starry Night Pro DVD, version 5.0

Astronomy Today — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 13:54:45 +0000

Arny: Explorations-An Introduction to Astronomy, 5th edition, is built on the foundation of its well known writing style, accuracy, and emphasis on current information. This new edition continues to offer the most complete technology/new media support package available. That technology/new media package includes: 23 Interactives (located on the text ARIS Presentation center); ARIS website (that allows instructors to take their course to the web if they choose); and … More >>

Explorations: An Introduction to Astronomy with Starry Night Pro DVD, version 5.0

Pluto Confidential: An Insider Account of the Ongoing Battles over the Status of Pluto

Astronomy Today — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:28:35 +0000

When the International Astronomical Union adopted a new definition of a “planet” in August 2006, Pluto became a dwarf planet, drawing a divisive line in science and public opinions. The controversy of whether Pluto is a planet continues years later, and passion about the decision remains, pitting scientist against scientist and invoking sentiments and nostalgia from the rest of the world. With the IAU definition, the future of space objects is forever changed. Learn how this resolution came

Decoding the Message of the Pulsars: Intelligent Communication from the Galaxy

Astronomy Today — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:57:26 +0000

A new interpretation of nearly 40 years of interstellar signals and the prophetic message they contain

• Contains extensive analysis of pulsar data, revealing new ideas about the origins and functions of pulsars

• Provides proof of an extraterrestrial communication network

• Includes information about the formation of crop circles and force-field-beaming technology

In 1967, astronomers began receiving and cataloging precisely timed radio pulses from extraterrestrial sources, which they called pulsars. These pulsars emit laserlike radio beams that penetrate through space much like searchlight beams. Paul LaViolette, who has been researching pulsars for over 25 years, shows that while these pulsars have long been assumed to be spinning stars, the true nature of these radio sources has been grossly misunderstood.

In Decoding the Message of the Pulsars, LaViolette shows that pulsars are distributed in the sky in a nonrandom fashion, often marking key galactic locations, and that their signals are of intelligent origin. Using extensive scientific data to corroborate his theory, he presents evidence of unusual geometric alignments among pulsars and intriguing pulse-period relationships. Equally compelling is the message LaViolette contends is being sent by these extraterrestrial beacons: a warning about a past galactic core explosion disaster that could recur in the near future.

Visions of Mars

Astronomy Today — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:16:36 +0000

Both tantalizingly similar to and eerily different from our planet, Mars has fascinated the scientific mind and the popular imagination for hundreds of years. Thanks to robotic exploration missions by NASA over the past 20 years, we now have an increasingly sophisticated understanding of our neighboring planet, and a multitude of images to help fill out the portrait. In Visions of Mars space imaging specialist Olivier de Goursac takes us on an extraordinary visual tour of Mars through a selectio

Interplanetary Dust (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library)

Astronomy Today — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:00:53 +0000

Conceived as a sourcebook for researchers in the field and as a graduate-level textbook, this monograph provides up-to-date coverage of all major aspects of dust in the solar system. In order to achieve the highest standards of expertise, individual chapters are written by researchers specializing in that topic. The book follows the comprehensive review of the “Cosmic Dust” field assembled by Tony McConnell more than 20 years ago. The field has now matured enough to warrant a new presentation on the form of a comprehensie review. Four major subfields form the core organization: – Astronomical observations of dust in the solar system and beyond. – In situ measurements of dust in various locations of the lpanetary system. – laboratory studies of interlpanetary dust and of dusty phenomena. – theoretical investigations However, this time, the field has become more integrated because of the man interelations that have been developed between subfields.

Moon Shot: The Inside Story of America’s Race to the Moon

Astronomy Today — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:24:29 +0000

It is 25 years since Neil Armstrong made man’s first triumphant lunar landing. Now Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton, two pioneering astronaughts, reveal the human cost of the bitter struggle between the Superpowers to be first on the moon. In this unique first-hand account of the space race the authors dislose facts about events that made headlines across the world including the hideous truth about Apollo 1 and a navigation error that nearly resulted in Neil Armstrong and his crew being stranded on the moon in Apollo 11. And yet this book is also a powerful story of intense human drama, focusing on the men behind the heroes – the successes, the disappointments and even the tragedies that shaped the world of those men that risked everything to launch and fly America’s spaceships.

Planets and its effect on humans

Astronomy Today — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:13:33 +0000

During a detailed study on astronomy and space science, It is very clear that we as human beings can clearly understand that there is nothing called heaven or hell. Even we cannot afford to survive outer earth, as neither the atmospheric pressure nor the temperature will allow us to live.

In spite of so many mysterious things are happening in the space, one thing is very common amongst the planets/stars/asteroids etc. It is the rays which helps scientists to get pictures and transmit the same to us. There are different varieties of rays in the space, like Gamma rays, X rays, Plasma rays, ultraviolet rays etc., and they all are basically electromagnetic force (waves) (EMF). This EMF unites the space with the earth.

As the internet unites the world as World wide web, the EMF unites the entire universe. This EMF passes through our human mind /body also. Billions and billions of signals emanate in microseconds passes through our mind. These are the uniting factor between planets and the human beings. Not only human beings but everything.

IN a human body it is the brain which is the communication center for all our actions. We execute the work based on our brain ask us to do so. We should also remember that in addition to the brain, there is another factor called mind. Brain is like a computer and gives instructions depending on the way it has been programmed. But mind is different in the sense, it has the ability to overrule what brain says or does.

In the case of brain it may be conscious or sub conscious or super conscious and similarly in the case of mind all the three are applicable. Why such things are there in the body? and what is the purpose of all these things?. This is what the question that raises in everyone’s mind.

In order to find out answer for this, a person should have enormous imagination and infinite thinking analyzing various things happening in our life. Still it will be difficult to get the real answer. For getting the answer, the only way is to follow the way the planets and the solar system works.

I will simply brief about what is said above:

1. In the solar system, none of the planets, stars expect anything from anywhere:

2. It rotates on its own and around the SUN systematically in a particular orbit.

3. In spite of any changes around them or any asteroid hitting them, they continue their path as usual.

4. They are all commonly connected by EMF.

Just take into account the above features and apply the same in our day to day life.

1. First we must ensure that we should not think of any reward /fame/money in our life:

2. We must do whatever we have to do everyday whether we get benefit or not nor we should care about other things.

3. Let anyone or anything come in the way, carry on with your routines

4. We are also linked to planets by the same EMF.

When a person really understands the above, it is further easy for them to understand the work of planets on us.

With these kind of visions, one can understand how the planets make impact on our brain and change our fortunes. An expert astrologer with perfect knowledge of astronomy and cosmic science will be able to visualize the future better.

Taking Back Astronomy: The Heavens Declare Creation

Astronomy Today — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:21:02 +0000

One of the major stumbling blocks to the presentation of the Gospel in our culture today involves astronomy. For decades, public school students (and even seminary students!) have been taught that the world is far older than the Bible chronology suggests, even billions of years older. This naturally causes a disconnect for people, who assume that modern “science” is unbiased and correct. The author debunks the most accepted teachings about evolution, giving tremendous answers for those struggling to reconcile the Bible and science. Readers are given solid answers to questions about the speed of light, geology, and the big bang.

Chiron and the Healing Journey: An Astrological and Psychological Perspective (Contemporary Astrology)

Astronomy Today — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:00:15 +0000

A thorough study of the mythology and symbology of the centaur Chiron, and of the astrological features of the planetoid Chiron.

The Cambridge Double Star Atlas

Astronomy Today — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:52:46 +0000

This magnificent atlas contains the most attractive and interesting double and multiple stars for viewing with binoculars and telescopes. It is a must-have for stargazers who want to explore these fascinating objects. The first modern star atlas devoted to double and multiple stars, it plots over 2,000 selected pairs of stars, each labeled with discoverer, catalog, and/or observatory designations. A superb introduction to this important class of celestial objects, it is spiral bound and printed

National Diet Library

Astronomy Today — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:37:25 +0000

History

The National Diet Library (NDL) is the successor of three separate libraries: the library of the House of Peers, the library of the House of Representatives, both of which were established at the creation of Japan’s Imperial Diet in 1890; and the Imperial Library, which had been established in 1872 under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education.

The Diet’s power in prewar Japan was limited, and its need for information was “correspondingly small.” The original Diet libraries “never developed either the collections or the services which might have made them vital adjuncts of genuinely responsible legislative activity.” Until Japan defeat, moreover, the executive had controlled all political documents, depriving the people and the Diet of access to vital information. The U.S. occupation forces under General Douglas MacArthur deemed reform of the Diet library system to be an important part of the democratization Japan after its defeat in World War II.

In 1946, each house of the Diet formed its own National Diet Library Standing Committee. Hani Gor, a Marxist historian who had been imprisoned during the war for thought crimes and had been elected to the House of Councillors (the successor to the abolished House of Peers) after the war, spearheaded the reform efforts. Hani envisioned the new body as “both a ‘citadel of popular sovereignty, and the means of realizing a eaceful revolution.’” The Occupation officers responsible for overseeing library reforms reported that, although the Occupation was a catalyst for change, local initiative pre-existed the Occupation, and the successful reforms were due to dedicated Japanese like Hani.

The National Diet Library opened in June 1948 in the present-day State Guest-House (former Akasaka Detached Palace) with an initial collection of 100,000 volumes. In 1949, the NDL merged with the National Library (previously called the Imperial Library) and became the only national library in Japan. At this time the collection gained an additional million volumes previously housed in the former National Library in Ueno.

In 1961, the NDL opened at its present location in Nagatach, adjacent to the National Diet. In 1986, the NDL’s Annex was completed to accommodate a combined total of 12 million books and periodicals. The Kansai-kan (the Kansai Library), which opened in October 2002 in the Kansai Science City (Seika Town, Soraku County, Kyoto Prefecture), has a collection of 6 million items. In May 2002, the NDL opened a new branch, the International Library of Children’s Literature, in the former building of the Imperial Library in Ueno. This branch contains some 400,000 items of children’s literature from around the world.

Though the NDL’s original mandate was to be a research library for the National Diet, the general public is the largest consumer of the library’s services. In the fiscal year ending March 2004, for example, the library reported more than 250,000 reference inquiries; in contrast, it recorded only 32,000 requests for research from the National Diet.

The National Diet Library

Main building in Tokyo

Main Collection

As Japan’s national library, the NDL collects copies of all publications published in Japan. Moreover, because the NDL serves as a research library for Diet members, their staffs, and the general public, it maintains an extensive collection of materials published in foreign languages on a wide range of topics.

Important Special Collections

The NDL also has eight major specialized collections: Modern Political and Constitutional History; Materials Concerning the Postwar Occupation of Japan; Laws and Preliminary Records; Science and Technology; Maps; Music; Foreign Books About Japan; and Rare Books.

Modern Political and Constitutional History

The Modern Political and Constitutional History Collection comprises some 300,000 items related to Japan’s political and legal modernization in the 19th century, including the original document archives of important Japanese statesmen from the latter half of the 19th century and the early 20th century like It Hirobumi, Iwakura Tomomi, Sanj Sanetomi, Mutsu Munemitsu, Terauchi Masatake, and other influential figures from the Meiji (18681912) and Taish (19121926) Periods.

Materials Concerning the Postwar Occupation of Japan

The NDL has an extensive microform collection of some 30 million pages of documents relating to the Occupation of Japan after World War II. This collection include the documents prepared by General Headquarters (GHQ) and the Supreme Commander for Allied Powers (SCAP), the Far Eastern Commission (FEC), and the United States Strategic Bombing Survey Team. (The originals of these documents are in the possession of the United States National Archives.)

Laws and Preliminary Records

The Laws and Preliminary Records Collection consists of some 170,000 Japanese and 200,000 foreign-language documents concerning proceedings of the National Diet and the legislatures of some 70 foreign countries, and the official gazettes, statutes, judicial opinions, and international treaties pertaining to some 150 foreign countries.

Science and Technology

The NDL maintains a collection of some 530,000 books and booklets and 2 million microform titles relating to the sciences. These materials include, among other things, foreign doctoral dissertations in the sciences, the proceedings and reports of academic societies, catalogues of technical standards, etc.

Maps

The NDL has a collection of approximately 440,000 maps of Japan and other countries, including the topographical, geological, and hydrological maps and charts dating back to the early Meiji Period (18681912) and topographical maps of foreign countries.

Music

The NDL collects all phonographic recordings made in Japan, and presently holds a collection comprising 300,000 vinyl records and 200,000 compact disks.

Foreign Books About Japan

Following the tradition established by the Imperial Library, the NDL collects foreign-language materials about Japan, including rare and ancient documents, such as reports of European missionaries visiting Japan in the 16th century.

Rare Books and Old Materials

The NDL houses the former Imperial Library’s collection of Japanese language materials from the Edo Period (16031867) and earlier periods. The major catalogues in this collection include: (1) some 6,000 documents relating to the Tokugawa Shogunate (16031867), such as records of town magistrates, the shogunal Supreme Court, and the Commissioners of Shrines and Temples, as well as documents concerning the succession of shoguns; (2) the Ito Bunko and Shirai Bunko, consisting of 8,000 handwritten and woodblock printed books dating from the Edo and Meiji Periods and concerning Japanese medicine; and (3) the Shinjo Bunko, consisting of 11,000 examples of pre-modern writings on astronomy and calendars, in addition to ancient Chinese works on the Qing Dynasty, genealogy, and local history.

The Kansai-Kan

Main article: Kansai-kan of the National Diet Library

Kansai-kan (Kansai Library), which opened in Kyoto Prefecture in 2002, is the second facility of the NDL.

The NDL has transferred the following collections to the Kansai-kan : most western peridocals; books and other materials in non-Japanese Asian languages; certain scientific and technological materials (technical reports, papers of foreign academic societies, catalogs of Japanese and foreign technical standards, foreign doctoral dissertations, and conference proceedings in Western languages); scientific research reports compiled under grants from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Japanese doctoral dissertations; and books on tape.

National Diet Library Online Resources

The National Diet Library has in recent years compiled a detailed website in both Japanese and English . Its online databases consist of the National Diet Library Online Public Access Catalog (NDL-OPAC), the Digital Library of the Meiji Era, the Rare Books Image Database, and the Minutes of the Imperial Diet and National Diet.

National Diet Library Online Public Access Catalog (NDL-OPAC)

The NDL provides an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), by which users can search the NDL’s entire collection from anywhere in the world in either English or Japanese . Using OPAC to identify sources and catalog numbers, overseas users may obtain certain materials from the NDL through interlibrary loan. In addition, the NDL provides a fee-based reproduction service for scholars residing overseas.
Digital Library from the Meiji Era

One of the most important features of the NDL’s website is the Digital Library of the Meiji Era (, Kindai dejitaru raiburarii?, lit. Recent Age Digital Library). The Digital Library is the digital descendant of the Maruzen Meiji Microfilm, the product of an ambitious project to microfilm the NDL’s entire collection of Meiji era books, a collection of some 60,000 volumes. The digital library contains actual images of these works, which are divided into ten main categories based on Nippon Decimal Classification (NDC) : (0) general (, ski?); (1) philosophy (, tetsugaku?); (2) history (, rekishi?); (3) social sciences (, shakai kagaku?); (4) natural sciences (, shizen kagaku?); (5) engineering and manufacturing (, kgaku/kgy?); (6) industry (, sangy?); (7) arts and athletics (, geijutsu/taiiku?); (8) language (, gogaku?); and (9) literature (, bungaku?). The images are not coded, so text searches are not possible; however, Japanese-language searches for the title, author, publisher, subject, and table of contents of the works in the database are possible. Meiji period periodicals are not included in this collection.

Rare Books Image Database

The NDL’s website also contains the Rare Books Image Database (, kichsho gaz dtabsu?) a collection of digital images from 37,000 illustrated books published before the Edo Period. Japanese-language searches by title, author, and call-number are possible in this database.
Minutes of the Imperial Diet and National Diet

The NDL provides a database of the minutes of both the Imperial Diet and the National Diet, the only one of the NDL’s online database that is full-text searchable. All minutes from the National Diet’s inception in May 1947 through the present are searchable online . At present, only minutes from the last two (91st and 92nd) sessions of the Imperial Diet (November 1946 through May 1947) are available.
Sources

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: National Diet Library

NDL Japanese website

NDL English website

NDL Digital Archive Portal (English)

Kansai-kan of the NDL (English)

Digital Library from the Meiji Era (English summary only)

Digital Library from the Meiji Era (Japanese)

Rare Books Image Database (Japanese)

NDL image viewer.

NDL-OPAC Japanese Index

NDL-OPAC English Index

Database of National Diet Minutes (Japanese)

Database of Imperial Diet Minutes (Japanese)

NDL Interlibrary Loan Application Procedures

NDL Photoreproduction Service

NDL Portraits of Modern Japanese Historical Figures

Coordinates: 354042 1394439 / 35.67833N 139.74417E / 35.67833; 139.74417

Categories: National libraries | Libraries in Japan | Culture in Tokyo | Education in Tokyo | Buildings and structures in Tokyo | Government agencies established in 1948 | World Digital Library

Starfinder

Astronomy Today — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:41:18 +0000

Pick up the new edition of this robust and practical interactive star gazing kit and find everything you need to observe, understand, and enjoy the night sky. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an accomplished astronomer, Starfinder is your up-to-date guide to star gazing.

Explaining how to recognize simple signposts in the sky, containing a monthly guide to the skies of both the northern and southern hemisphere, and featuring a section on observing the Moon, planets, and oth

The Heavens Proclaim His Glory: A Spectacular View of Creation Through the Lens of the NASA Hubble Telescope

Astronomy Today — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:18:23 +0000

“I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.” Abraham Lincoln Our world displays the handiwork of God all around us-in the land and sea, the animals and the plants. But in respect to the sky, the heavens, the universe…there’s a realm of beauty and creation man has not been able to witness, until now. The Heavens Proclaim His Glory is a compilation o

Explorations: An Introduction to Astronomy

Astronomy Today — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:27:22 +0000

Written in a clear, concise style for the non-science major, this edition uses analogies and everyday examples to present the most current information about astronomy in a way that students can easily understand. It comes packaged with a free interactive CD-ROM and has a new, expanded web site.

Moonwalk with Your Eyes: A Pocket Field Guide (Astronomer’s Pocket Field Guide)

Astronomy Today — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:06:37 +0000

Of all the many things we can look at in the night sky, the Moon is one of the richest in its ever-changing detail, as changes in light and shadow daily transform what you can see of every feature. Whether you use binoculars, a small telescope or a large one,you will find the Moon offers new horizons rich in exploration opportunities.

Moonwalk with Your Eyes guides the reader quickly through lunar basics: how to determine the lunar day and what lunar terminology you might encounter here and in other books. From there you’ll be taken on a guided visual journey that encompasses what can be seen at any given time for all levels of observers.

Moonwalk with Your Eyes features high-quality annotated photographs and solid background information to help the reader understand many lunar phenomena. Here is a guide that allows those who simply gaze at the Moon to find a deeper appreciation of it; for those who use binoculars and small telescopes, this is a comprehensive guide to identifying what can be seen; and advanced observers will be challenged with a rare quality look at areas of the Moon that are not covered by other lunar guide books.

Its Possible With A First Time Telescope

Astronomy Today — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:44:06 +0000

From the stars to the planets in our solar system, from nebulas to galaxies, a first time telescope is a great way to make it possible for you to view the heavens. In this article about first time telescopes, you will find out about: * What can you see with a telescope? * How to buy a telescope? * Tips to buy your first time telescope A first time telescope has many benefits that it can offer you. A first time telescope is always an amazing instrument. Imagine having an instrument that can never become exhausted. The universe has placed billions upon billions of objects in the heavens, and with a first time telescope, you are enabled to start navigating, finding, and enjoying the vast universe we occupy. ::: What Can You See With A Telescope? ::: Moon – The moon offers many viewing opportunities, being so close to us, the Moon’s craters can be viewed in great detail. Planets – Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and some of the other planets in our solar system can be viewed with detail. Saturn shows us its rings, which made Galileo think that Saturn had ears many years ago! You can also see the moons of Saturn and Jupiter. Distant Objects – The first time telescope, especially a good first time telescope can show you great views of Nebula in the Orion constellation, and several galaxies in other parts of the heavens. Your first time telescope can see much more space objects than the ones stated, however, this will help you realize the huge benefits in owning a first time telescope of your own. Please bear in mind that most department stores, toy store telescopes may not show you any detail, even though it may say on the nice packaging. ::: How To Buy A Telescope? ::: A first time telescope is not one to gloss over, a telescope after all is a scientific instrument. The best place to buy your first time telescope is either from a dedicated telescope / astronomy store or online from a dedicated telescope / astronomy retailer. All too often people to satisfy the desire to view the objects in the sky, go out and buy any telescope they can find. I can’t complain as that is how I got my first telescope. Soon after, I realized that that is not the best way to go. My first time telescope purchased from a department store was shortly relegated and never used again. The poor mount made turning the telescope easy, but was no use with keeping the telescope stable to view objects in space. Most 0+ telescopes can be a great first time telescope, especially if they have been purchased from dedicated telescope sellers. Another benefit with going to a store that specializes in telescopes, is that you can tell them about your hopes and aims of a telescope, which will help them find a telescope for your needs, rather than simply getting what first time telescope is available. ::: Tips To Buy Your First Time Telescope ::: After years of looking up at the stars, I have a few tips for buying a telescope. You will need to know where things are in the sky, so make sure you have a star atlas. Even better would be to get a great book called Turn Left At Orion, which will help you with getting the best out of your first time telescope. You can find out more about this great book on our site. Another tip I can offer you is to get the best telescope you can afford, as these good quality first time telescopes will be one which will last for years.

Physics of the Solar Corona: An Introduction with Problems and Solutions (Springer Praxis Books / Astronomy and Planetary Sciences)

Astronomy Today — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:38:05 +0000

A thorough introduction to solar physics based on recent spacecraft observations. The author introduces the solar corona and sets it in the context of basic plasma physics before moving on to discuss plasma instabilities and plasma heating processes. The latest results on coronal heating and radiation are presented. Spectacular phenomena such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections are described in detail, together with their potential effects on the Earth.

Spacecraft Systems Engineering 3rd Edition

Astronomy Today — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 05:03:18 +0000

Following on from the hugely successful previous editions, the third edition of Spacecraft Systems Engineering incorporates the most recent technological advances in spacecraft and satellite engineering. With emphasis on recent developments in space activities, this new edition has been completely revised. Every chapter has been updated and rewritten by an expert engineer in the field, with emphasis on the bus rather than the payload.

Encompassing the fundamentals of spacecraft engineering, the book begins with front-end system-level issues, such as environment, mission analysis and system engineering, and progresses to a detailed examination of subsystem elements which represent the core of spacecraft design – mechanical, electrical, propulsion, thermal, control etc. This quantitative treatment is supplemented by an appreciation of the interactions between the elements, which deeply influence the process of spacecraft systems design.

In particular the revised text includes

A new chapter on small satellites engineering and applications which has been contributed by two internationally-recognised experts, with insights into small satellite systems engineering.
Additions to the mission analysis chapter, treating issues of aero-manouevring, constellation design and small body missions.

In summary, this is an outstanding textbook for aerospace engineering and design students, and offers essential reading for spacecraft engineers, designers and research scientists. The comprehensive approach provides an invaluable resource to spacecraft manufacturers and agencies across the world.

Breitling— Astronomy Computer

Astronomy Today — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:43:20 +0000

Breitling boasts a good reputation in producing novel and serviceable watches. For many years of making watches for astronomy, its products develop more prominent characteristics. It is constantly concerned with the functional direction of watches, giving its products new features to meet the needs of astronomy, sailing, navigation, diving and other special fields. Therefore, Breitling watches are made the perfect combination of practical, functional and multiple units. Thus Breitling watches are not only a kind of timer, but also a precise instrument enjoying a good name as Astronomy computer.
Breitling watches are applied widely in other fields. Some famous jet aircraft manufacturers such as mordent, McDonnell Douglas and LERT companies all employ Breitling products as their standard equipments. In 1952, Navitime astronomy timer wristwatch was used in the command module on the plane, making Breitling stably establish its first and unique reputation in the world. From that time on, the quality of Breitling is highly trusted by the astronomy industry. Now Breitling has participated and supported astronomy activities for nearly a century. And at the same time it is dedicated to astronomy training. Every year, Breitling Academy nurtures new talents or skilled stuff for astronomy and its training takes place all over the world. More over, they endorse all kinds of flying activities and competitions, making great efforts in pushing astronomy business forward. Becoming the exclusive watches of American air force makes it more renown. It is cool when American soldiers all wear Breitling brand watches.
Anyway, Breitling watches are charming and brilliant. It is no doubt the perfect combination of creativity and skills.
For more information, please visit http://www.hotefashion.com

Observing the Sun (Practical Astronomy Handbooks)

Astronomy Today — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:36:41 +0000

Observing the sun is one of the most interesting and rewarding facets of astronomy to which amateurs can contribute meaningful data. It is the one branch of astronomy that requires only modest equipment and that can be pursued during the day. Peter Taylor, long-time chairman of the Solar Division of the American Association of Variable Star Observers, is a keen and highly experienced observer of the Sun. In this book he explains in a clear and practical way everything that a telescope us

The 23rd Cycle

Astronomy Today — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:56:19 +0000

Library Journal’s Best Sci-Tech Books for General Readers for 2001 On March 13, 1989, the entire Quebec power grid collapsed, automatic garage doors in California suburbs began to open and close without apparent reason, and microchip production came to a halt in the Northeast; in space, communications satellites had to be manually repointed after flipping upside down, and pressure readings on hydrogen tank supplies on board the Space Shuttle Discovery peaked, causing NASA to consider aborting t

Technology In The Workplace

Astronomy Today — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:30:14 +0000

You name the industry and the chances are that over the past century, most if not all of their work has been transformed by technology. Jobs in everything from agriculture to astronomy have been radically changed from what they were before the industrial revolution and it seems extremely unlikely that things will ever be the same again.
In some areas, technology has had an extremely direct and visible effect in transforming industry.
In manufacturing for example, the factory system of manual labour that replaced the artisan system has been in turn replaced by a largely automated system of complex machinery. What once took hundreds and hundreds of man-hours and gallons of blood, sweat and tears to make has become mainly a job of getting the computers programmed properly, making sure the equipment is in alignment and keeping an eye on the conveyor belt.
Retail is another area where the growth of technology has dramatically changed the established system. Although the high-street shop and world-wide chain of commerce is a relatively new introduction of the 20th century, the growth of the internet has created an entirely new marketplace – eCommerce. People can now run entire businesses via virtual interfaces, or they can shop for anything from clothes to a car or even groceries online.
‘Behind-the-scenes’ areas of work such as bureaucracy or the creative industries have also been transformed by this change in the zeitgeist. Where once administrators had to deal with miles of paperwork, now they have a single file. Where once something as simple as a payroll system required an entire separate department of dedicated workers, now an automated system can calculate everything from hours worked to taxes due without stress.
Of course, though technology has transformed other areas of industry, the biggest change it’s increasing importance made to the world of work is the creation of an entirely new role in in almost every workplace – tech support. Unsurprisingly, even those who work with equipment every single day are often unfamiliar with how they could fix it if it went wrong. They may be the best at their task – and computers/networks/etc could be a huge part of that task – but they can easily go from day to day without needing the know-how to solve technical problems themselves.
It’s not a stretch of the imagination to say that without these experts – the people in tech support teams or in dedicated hardware and software companies – that the modern way of doing things would be unsustainable. In the same way that a freight haul company relies upon mechanical knowhow to keep its vehicles on the road, a modern bureaucracy (or even a travel agents) relies upon software engineers and hardware consultants.

Talking about Life: Conversations on Astrobiology

Astronomy Today — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:06:21 +0000

With over 500 planets now known to exist beyond the Solar System, spacecraft heading for Mars, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, this timely book explores current ideas about the search for life in the Universe. It contains candid interviews with dozens of astronomers, geologists, biologists, and writers about the origin and range of terrestrial life and likely sites for life beyond Earth. The interviewees discuss what we’ve learnt from the missions to Mars and Titan, tal

50 Universe Ideas You Really Need to Know

Astronomy Today — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:17:03 +0000

For millennia humanity has gazed in wonder at the night sky, tracked the motions of the planets and attempted to explain our place in the Universe. But only in our own time has the true scale, the astonishing variety and the remarkable strangeness of the cosmos come clearly into focus. The pace and sophistication of recent scientific discovery has been breathtaking, but breakthroughs are often difficult to understand and their impact is hard to fully appreciate. In Universe – 50 Ideas You Really

Observing Projects Using Starry Night Enthusiast

Astronomy Today — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:54:01 +0000

Available for packaging with the text, and compatible with both PC and Mac, this book contains a variety of comprehensive lab activities for Starry Night Enthusiast 5.8.

Clarence L. “Kelly” Johnson: From Skunk Works to the Edge of Space (Titans of Fortune)

Astronomy Today — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:20:24 +0000

Kelly Johnson designed the Blackbird, a plane that flew non-stop from London to Los Angeles in less than four hours, outracing the sun and landing four hours before it had taken off, a remarkable feat–and this was more than 35 years ago. Johnson was the innovative genius behind Lockheed’s “Skunk Works,” and played a leading role in the development of more than forty aircraft, including some of America’s most sophisticated planes. In 2003, as part of its commemoration of the 100th anniversary of

The Edge of Physics: A Journey to Earth’s Extremes to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe

Astronomy Today — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:07:54 +0000

In this deeply original book, science writer Anil Ananthaswamy sets out in search of the telescopes and detectors that promise to answer the biggest questions in modern cosmology. Why is the universe expanding at an ever faster rate? What is the nature of the “dark matter” that makes up almost a quarter of the universe? Why does the universe appear fine-tuned for life? Are there others besides our own? Ananthaswamy soon finds himself at the ends of the earth?in remote and sometimes dangerous pl

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