Book Description

Advance praise for Philip Plaits Bad Astronomy

"Bad Astronomy is just plain good! Philip Plait clears up every misconception on astronomy and space you never knew you suffered from." —Stephen Maran, Author of Astronomy for Dummies and editor of The Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia

"Thank the cosmos for the bundle of star stuff named Philip Plait, who is the worlds leading consumer advocate for quality science in space and on Earth. This important contribution to science will rest firmly on my reference library shelf, ready for easy access the next time an astrologer calls." —Dr. Michael Shermer, Publisher of Skeptic magazine, monthly columnist for Scientific American, and author of The Borderlands of Science

"Philip Plait has given us a readable, erudite, informative, useful, and entertaining book. Bad Astronomy is Good Science. Very good science..." —James "The Amazing" Randi, President, James Randi Educational Foundation, and author of An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural

"Bad Astronomy is a fun read. Plait is wonderfully witty and educational as he debunks the myths, legends, and 'conspiracies that abound in our society. 'The Truth Is Out There'–and it's in this book. I loved it!" —Mike Mullane, Space Shuttle astronaut and author of Do Your Ears Pop in Space? ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Bad Astronomy made fun
As an amateur astronomer, I took great pleasure reading Philip Plait's "Bad Astronomy". The book handles the debunking of common myths with hysterical humor. I could not put the book down. Each chapter was entertaining.

Finally we have a text that not only puts the Coriolis Effect where it belongs but explains basic astronomy principles in lay terms. It is better than reading an astronomy textbook. Where else could you read about why skies are blue and why the earth has seasons than in this humorous tome.

Plait gets a little more serious as he talks about the more delicate subjects of the Apollo "hoax", Velikovsky, UFOs, and Astrology. This was appropriate since many people believe in these unscientific hypotheses. He approaches these subjects in a nonoffensive, objective and scientific manner.

Being a movie fan, I particularly enjoyed the chapter entitled: "Bad Astronomy Goes Hollywood." Here Plait unveils all of the Bad Astronomy we see every day in science fiction movies. In his list of Top 10 offenses, the Star Wars series is guilty of no less than 8 of them. That does not make Star Wars any less enjoyable, but it is fun to know the difference between science and Hollywood.

I give this book 5 stars. I think it would be entertaining for anyone with any interest in astronomy regardless of how much or how little they know about the subject matter.

A welcome addition to any science lover's library
Misconceptions creep into the science of astronomy perhaps more than any other science. Surveys have found that even college graduates carry persistent misconceptions or even wildly incorrect ideas about the phases of the moon or the cause of the seasons.

For the past several years, astronomer Phil Plait has been battling these misconceptions, as well as the flood of just plain bad astronomy (hence the name). Plait's web site has built a loyal following, and I have been a frequent visitor there almost since its inception. For people like me, the book "Bad Astronomy" is a logical extension of the web site. For newcomers, it will be a welcome addition to your libraries.

In addition to chapters on lunar phases and the cause of the seasons, Plait adds a detailed (and fairly technical) account of tides, the coriolis effect (as applied to toilet bowl water rotation), why the sky is blue, the moon size illusion, and many, many others.

Digging a little deeper into the "current issues" genre, Plait also tackles Velikovsky, UFOs, creationism and astrology. His writing is very clear and should be accessible to anybody interested in science and the battle against pseudoscientific nonsense.

Regular visitors to the web site will be familiar with Plait's crusade against those who persist in believing that the Apollo moon landings were faked. Plait's site led the charge against this nonsense, and he includes a treatment of the topic in his book as well.

Bad Astronomy is lightly illustrated with a mix of schematic drawings (to illustrate for example, tides or the moon size illusion) and black and white photographs. Some of the chapters could certainly have benefitted from more lavish illustrations, and perhaps even some color plates (the chapter on the Apollo "hoax," for example, needed some additional photos to help dispel the most common objections). However, the format of the book (paperback) and the expense (between $11 and $14) dictated the conservative approach, I'm sure.

The chapters are well balanced in size. With a topic per chapter, and 24 chapters totalling 257 pages, you won't find an indepth treatment of any of these topics, but enough to surely whet your appetite. He also provides recommendations for additional reading, both book and WWW, in an appendix.

In the larger context of "defense of science" writings, Plait joins other such notables as Carl Sagan, Martin Gardner, Robert Park, Stephen Jay Gould, and Michael Shermer. Plait's contribution is a welcome one, and he is poised to take his place as a defender against bad science.

Bad Science Encounters Good Science
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Answer true or false to these ten statements:

1) The sky is blue because it reflects the blue color of the oceans.
2) The seasons are caused by the Earth's tilt.
3) The Moon's phases are due to the shadow of the Earth falling on the Moon.
4) The bright glow of a meteor is not caused by friction as it passes through the Earth's atmosphere.
5) There are no stars seen in Apollo Moon-landing pictures thus proving that these landings were staged.
6) The Hubble Space Telescope is bigger than all Earth-based telescopes.
7) Stars in the night sky do have color.
8) The Moon is bigger near the horizon than when it's overhead.
9) In the southern hemisphere, winters are much warmer than those in the northern hemisphere.
10) X-rays are emitted from the eclipsed sun but these X-rays do not damage your eyes if you look at the eclipsed sun.

If you answered true to any one of statements 1,3,5,6,8,9 or false to any one of statements 2,4,7,10, then you can use the help of this book to clear up your misconceptions!

This book, by Dr. Phillip Plait (creator of the bad astronomy internet site), corrects 24 common misconceptions of astronomical science. This book divides these misconceptions into five parts. All science is fully explained so the reader does not have to have extensive scientific knowledge. As well, there are diagrams and black-and-white photographs to aid the scientific discussions. Finally, there are recommended books and recommended internet sites for those who want to know more.

Part one explains three misconceptions that occur in the home. The second part deals with five misconceptions about the Earth and Moon. Part three unravels eight misconceptions regarding things in the night sky (such as stars, planets, and meteors). The fourth part is concerned with five bad explanations of various events (such as the Moon-landings and UFOs). Lastly, part five is a special section covering three astronomy topics (such as bad astronomy in the movies).

For those who have a science background (such as myself), don't feel tempted to skip a section because you feel you know the correct answer to a misconception. This is because each chapter contains much important detail. For me, I found that for those sections where I felt I knew the correct scientific answer, I still learned a lot because other interesting information was presented to enhance the discussion.

Finally, I did find an error in the UFO section. This section implies that no amateur astronomers have seen UFOs. Actually, the majority of amateur astronomers have not seen them but a small minority have seen them.

In conclusion, we are bombarded by bad science every day. In order to turn bad science into good science, you have to start reading good science books. This book is a good place to start!!

<=====>

Highly recommended.
Finally, I found out why stars appear to twinkle while planets do not. As with most things in our universe, the reason was simple, logical, and yes...scientific. That also describes the tone of Phil Plait's book. It is a must read for anyone interested in learning how our world works and in defending oneself against disinformation.

I once saw a Harvard-produced video titled "Our Private Universe", which documented how tenaciously we cling to our incorrect beliefs. As one of the people in the documentary stated in defending his absurd understanding of how vision works, "My ideas make sense to me!" Dr. Plait's book will help nearly everyone move from their private universe of misconceptions learned by rote to the actual universe of scientific discovery and scrutiny.

In a time when clear thinking may save us all from real catastrophe, Bad Astronomy paves the way for anyone interested enough to invest a little time.

The book is a fun read, filled with wit and humor. I promise you will enjoy it.

I really really enjoyed this book...
...despite the fact that the author is an extremely poor poker player who never bluffs (successfully).

But nonetheless this is a good book. On second thought, I feel like the whole thing about his poker skills is not really relevant to the quality of the book. In fact I am sorry I brought it up. Really. Very sorry. So ignore that part. Just focus on the book, not the poker thing. Block it out of your mind, please.

He's not too good at black jack either. There I go again with the irrelevance...God, I gotta control myself. ... Read more

Book Description

“An engrossing report.”—Booklist “Vividly captures the challenges and privations [Dr. Linenger] endured both before and during his flight.”—Library Journal One of the most gripping space survival stories of the 20th century is now available in paperback. Few episodes in man’s exploration of space can compare to Off the Planet—Dr. Jerry Linenger’s dramatic account of space exploration turned survival mission during his 132 days aboard the decaying and unstable Russian space station Mir. Not since Apollo 13 has an American astronaut faced so many catastrophic malfunctions and life-threatening emergencies in one mission. In his remarkable narrative, Linenger chronicles power outages that left the crew in complete darkness, tumbling out of control; chemical leaks and near collisions that threatened to rupture Mir’s hull; and most terrifying of all—a raging fire that almost destroyed the space station and the lives of its entire crew. ... Read more

Reviews (42)

A very human astronaut's tale
I was wrong. I picked up Jerry Linenger's long-overdue book expecting it to be a somewhat bland account of an astronaut's existence aboard Mir. Instead I found it to be eminently readable, and a truly facinating tale, with enough intensely dramatic content to keep me reading beyond each chapter heading. Other reviewers have mentioned his account of the fire aboard Mir - a very harrowing description indeed, but I was fascinated by some of the smaller vignettes, such as his terror at standing on the end of a robotic arm, thrust out and away from the shuttle, feeling like he was in perpetual freefall off a cliff. I've read many books by and about a lot of space explorers, and it was nice to find a solid, human account of life as a recent NASA astronaut. All too often these days the astronauts just seem to be the same person going up on the same shuttle doing the same things, and little is known about them beyond their names. Thank you Jerry for humanising the shuttle-Mir program. But above all else I wish to congratulate him for a superb book written without the ubiquitous ghost-writer. The words are his own, and I feel he's crafted this book superbly. I certainly enjoyed it a great deal, and wish it every success.

A Great Glimpse of Life in Space
This book is easy to read and has lots of good pictures, so when I first thumbed through the pages I thought it was going to be another PR job for NASA. Much to my delight, when I actually "dug in" I discovered an original, candid and insightful discussion of US-Russian collaboration and of the author's experiences on Mir. Sure, Linenger comes off as a "right stuff" astronaut: after all, you can't earn a series of degrees and succeed as a military officer, as a physician, and a spacefarer unless you have outstanding qualifications and high self confidence. Despite the author's occasionally overbearing "can do" mentality, Linenger offers a balanced view of life aboard an aging Space Station. It is full of useful but usually tasteful detail on how people survive psychologically and relate to one another under prolonged isolation and confinement. The stories are interesting, and in the telling Linenger gives us insights into everything from interpersonal to international relations. I finished this book reminded that living and working in space is a complex, multifaceted endeavor that defies simple analysis. Dr. Linenger's book not only entertains, it increases our understanding of people in exotic and stressful environments. I have read at least two other major books about life on Mir, and still found this one engaging and informative.

The truth about life on Mir
Jerry Linenger wrote "Off the Planet" to describe his out-of-this-world (literally) experiences on the Mir spacestation, as an American astronaut working with the Russians. This autobiographical book goes into Jerry's adventures with Mir's copious mechanical problems, his reflections on life on earth, and the politics of the cooperative space program between Russia and the United States. I received this book after Jerry spoke at a conference I attended. I do not usually read books in this genre, but to my surprise, it was an entertaining read and I ended up purchasing another copy for my father.

The format of the book is not exactly chronological. Each chapter could be a standalone essay, focusing on a different event or issue on Mir. The early chapters introduce Jerry, and show the progression of his career up to his training for Mir. The last few chapters go into Jerry's newfound perspective on existence, and the difficult adaptation back to earth life.

Jerry's writing style is as direct and unceremonious as his speeches. He explains complicated scientific issues with ease, and even this liberal arts major could understand what he was talking about. He talks about lofty topics, like Russian-US relations. Then he'll move on to discuss how astronauts use the bathroom, or the difficulties of eating pretzels in space.

There have been quite a few criticisms of this book. Some have said that Jerry is egotistical. If he hadn't admitted this fault in the book, I wouldn't have noticed it. It seems appropriate for an accomplished astronaut to be proud of his work. Others claim that there is another side to the story, but there is always another side to the story. I know that I am reading about Mr. Linenger's perspective of the events on Mir, and I can put it into context with other published works.

I already agree with the sentiments with which Jerry Linenger sums up his book. He tells us that we should live each day as if it is our last, to enjoy all the natural bounties that the earth gives us, and to value our precious time on the planet. Each breath of oxygen and moment in the sunlight should be cherished. I completely agree. One way that this book has changed me is that it has made me more aware of the space program. When I hear about unmanned landings on Mars or even events on Mir, I perk up and listen more closely than I had in the past.

A Good Book About One Astronaut's Life Onboard Mir
Jerry Linenger is a former NASA astronaut who spent just over 132 days in space, most of it aboard the Russian space station Mir. During his stay, Dr. Linenger accomplished many first for an American astronaut. He became the first American to conduct a space walk from a foreign space station and in a non-American made spacesuit. During this five hour EVA, he and his Russian crewmate tested the newly designed Orlan-M Russian-built spacesuit. He and his crewmembers also performed a flyaround of the Mir in the Soyuz spacecraft, undocking from one docking port of the station and redocking at a different location.

While living aboard the MIR space station, Jerry Linenger and his two Russian crewmembers faced numerous difficulties, such as the most severe fire ever aboard an orbiting spacecraft, clearly the best written and most interesting section of the book, the failures of onboard systems (oxygen generator, carbon dioxide scrubbing, cooling line loop leaks, communication antenna tracking ability, urine collection and processing facility), a near collision with a resupply cargo ship during a manual docking system test, loss of station electrical power, and loss of attitude control resulting in a slow, uncontrolled tumble through space. In spite of these challenges and the added demands on their time due to the repair work, they still accomplished all mission goals: the space walk, the flyaround, and the completion off all the planned U.S. science experiments. All of these harrowing adventures and many others, plus the grind of his daily life aboard Mir, are recounted in this book.

I would have to agree with the numerous other reviewers that feel the Jerry Linenger has a big ego, but as someone who has had a lot of contact with astronauts over the years, his ego is only somewhat greater than the norm. The first example of this personality trait, is the title. The title states that he spend five months on Mir, but his stay on Mir, was just a little more than 4 months (132 days total mission time minus the travel time to and from Mir, about five days). There are lots of references to "I did ..." and he seems to forget that all of the hardware onboard any space vehicle has been designed for easy astronaut use to assure success. I know because that's what I do for a living.

All things considered, this book is definitely one of the better astronaut biographies and covers a period of human space flight that is not frequently examined, the Space Shuttle era. Furthermore, Dr. Linenger deserves kudos for writing the book himself.

a great book about living in space
this book shows the truth about living in space. the author describes all the hardships that he and the crew went through ... Read more

Book Description

This new fourth edition of Allen's classic ASTROPHYSICAL QUANTITIES belongs on every astronomer's bookshelf. It has been thoroughly revised and brought up to date by a team of more than ninety internationally renowned astronomers and astrophysicists, and with advice and participation of the American Astronomical Society. While it follows the basic format of the original, this indispensable reference has grown to more than twice the size of the earlier editions to accommodate the great strides made in astronomy and astrophysics.

It includes detailed tables of the most recent data on:- General constants and units - Atoms, molecules, and spectra- Observational astronomy at all wavelengths from radio to gamma-rays, and neutrinos- Planetary astronomy: Earth, planets and satellites, and solar system small bodies- The Sun, normal stars, and stars with special characteristics- Stellar populations - Cataclysmic and symbiotic variables, supernovae- Theoretical stellar evolution- Circumstellar and interstellar material- Star clusters, galaxies, quasars, and active galactic nuclei- Clusters and groups of galaxies - CosmologyAlso includes much explanatory material, 415 tables, 82 figures, and extensive and up-to-date bibliographies.

Authors of chapters and sections include: W.F.V. Atena, E. Avrett, N.A. Bahcall, C. Barnbaum, G. Basri, T. Bastian, S.A. Becker, S. Benetti, R.P. Binzel, T.J. Bowles, P. Bradley, K.R. Brownsberger, G. Chanmugam, K. Chen, P.S. Conti, C.A. Cowley, A.N. Cox, D.P. Cox, D. Crisp, W. Dappen, P. Demarque, J.S. Drilling, F.H. Eugene, J.D. Fernie, A.D. Fiala, P. Foukal, J. Fuhr, G.F. Gilmore, J.E. Grindlay, D. Guenther, D.S. Hall, M.S. Hanner, H.C. Harris, W.F. Harris, K. Harvey, W.C Haxton, F. Hill, R.M. Hjellming, R. Howard, S. Kahler, J.J. Keady, D.P. Kilcrease, E.W. Kolb, S. Koutchmey, L.A. Kuznetsova, A.U. Landolt, W. Lawson, P.J.T. Leonard, J.W. Liebert, R.E. Lingenfelter, W.C. Livingston, J.S. Mathis, J. Middleditch, R. Muller, H. Neckel, A. Oran, J.F. Ormes, G.S. Orton, D. Pascu, W.D. Pesnell, K. Pierce, S.S. Rayburn, S.T. Ridgway, R.E. Rothschild, G. Schubert, D. Scott, F.D. Seward, S.N. Shore, J. Silk, R.W. Sinnott, E.M Sion, A. Slettebak, M. Smith, S. Solanki, W.M. Sparks, S.G. Starrfield, D.I. Steel, T.J. Teays, V.G. Tejfel, D.J. Tholen, A.T. Tokunaga, V. Trimble, M.S. Turner, R.L. Walterscheid, R.F. Webbink, J.C. Wheeler, O.R. White, W.L. Wiese, B.J. Wilkes, P. Wilson, M. Zeilik, and J. Zirker.

FROM THE REVIEWS:

PHYSICS TODAY "ASTROPHYSICAL QUANTITIES - first published in 1955 - has been a dependable and indispensable reference on astronomy for decades, and the new edition promises to become just as vital a part of every astronomer's library. The new edition more than doubles the size and content of the previous edition, with new chapters on radio, infrared, ultra-violet, x-ray, gamma-ray, and neutrino astronomy, plus other modern topics, and a far more detailed treatment of all astrophysical topics, from Earth to cosmology...The fourth edition is immensely useful, providing detailed information on astronomical topics from basic diagnostic features in the Sun's spectrum to the locations and error boxes of gamma-ray bursts...Overall, [the book] is an impressive collection of astrophysical data and knowledge that will serve well astronomers, astrophysicists, and physicists working in astrophysics. For this fourth edition, Cox has my heartfelt thanks for undertaking - and completing - a Herculean labor." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

From a fan of the third edition
Allen's third edition was one of those reference books that you develop a personal relationship with. It was small enough to get to know, and quirky enough to require getting to know. This fourth is a committee effort, bigger, more authoritative, more up to date. I doubt that I will develop a warm affection for it, as I did it's predecessor, but I will use it just the same. ... Read more

Book Description

Simple chemistry governs a host of the exotic objects that populate our cosmos. For example, molecules in the early Universe acted as natural temperature regulators, keeping the primordial gas cool and, in turn, allowing galaxies and stars to form. What are the tools of the trade for the cosmic chemist and what can they teach us about the Universe we live in? These are the questions answered in this engaging and informative guide--the first book for nonspecialists on molecular astrophysics. In clear, nontechnical terms, and without formal mathematics, Hartquist and Williams show how to study and understand the behavior of molecules in a host of astronomical situations. Readers will learn about the secretive formation of stars deep within interstellar clouds; the origin of our own solar system; the cataclysmic deaths of many massive stars that explode as supernovae; and the hearts of active galactic nuclei, the most powerful objects in the universe. This book provides an accessible introduction to a wealth of astrophysics, and an understanding of how cosmic chemistry allows the investigation of many of the most exciting questions concerning astronomy today. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Not So Good
Book is not so good, There is a discussion of different brands of SCT but besides that you can't get much of the specifics on things to help you with SCT. At least nothing that you can already get from the internet. Also doesn't seem to discuss much on the possible accessories for SCT's. Practically his discussion relates more to visually using SCT, but for astrophotography nothing, doesn't even mention equatorial wedges. All in all this book just whets your appetite regarding possibilities of SCT but you have to look for details in some other book. Look at Wodawski's book on Astrophotography as it discusses quite a bit regarding astrophotography using SCT. The rest look at Star Ware by Phil Harrington

Best book I could find
This is an awesome book. It answered about a million questions that I had about equipment, accessories, a bit of telescope
history, etc.. It held my hand step-by-step during the search for a new telescope and then again once I had my new telescope in my hands. I found the author's writing style to very very good for the person brand new to Astronomy. I've already recommended this book to 5-6 other folks. It contains enough information that it will be useful for quite a while as there are many aspects of my new telescope that I'm not ready to try yet.

This book is pretty darn expensive but worth every penny. With good telescopes costing from [X], the price of this book isn't much.

The tips alone on new telescope assembly, setup, checkout,
etc.. are invaluable.

A Valuable Reference
This is the book I wish I had read before I purchased my SCT (to understand what I was getting into) and that I wish had come as its user's guide. While it provides great explanations and many useful tips on setting up and using an SCT, it also honestly describes potential drawbacks (e.g., weight, transportability). Mr. Mollise also understands -- and wryly comments on -- "reality" for many amateur astronomers: At one point he descibes the many amateurs who talk about astrophotography but never quite get to the point of taking a picture -- which is true of many amateurs.

Extremely helpful suggestions
The book has great information, including, how to set up your scope, tips on filters, how to collimate the scope, how to transport and care for your telescope, choosing a telescope, and much more. The book is targeted toward owners of Meade and Celestron telescopes with fork mounts, but this should not dissuade you. Much of the information in the book is useful for owners of equatorially mounted scopes, as well. Examples of tips are-- to reduce tripod vibration, hang a gallon jug of water from the bottom of the mount or the tray. Or, to safely transport your scope to a dark site, use a foam-lined cooler. Very comprehensive, well-written, and far reaching in its coverage of all aspects of telescope ownership and use. Highly recommended!

Choosing and Using as Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
The author provides a complete review of SCT and Makstovs covering all the basics of operation. The chapters on setup, testing and observing are much clearer then the manuals that come with a new scope. If you are considering spending a $1000+ on a new scope you should get this book first. The section on "keeping Your Cat Happy" shows ways to improve your scope's operation without spending a lot. This is stuff that works from dew shields to warning lights. The only limit I have seen in the book is that the goto technology described is changing yet again with new scopes. Celestron has just introduced units with a built in GPS & electronic compasses that find their own location and time. I am sure that Meade can not far behind in introducing their own version. Exploring the stars with SCTs has never been easier, but don't start the trip without this book. ... Read more

Book Description

This book provides a unified treatment of the characteristics of telescopes of all types, both those whose performance is set by geometrical aberrations and the effect of the atmosphere, and those diffraction-limited telescopes designed for observations from above the atmosphere. The emphasis throughout is on basic principles, such as Fermat's principle, and their application to optical systems specifically designed to image distant celestial sources.
The book also contains thorough discussions of the principles underlying all spectroscopic instrumentation, with special emphasis on grating instruments used with telescopes. An introduction to adaptive optics provides the needed background for further inquiry into this rapidly developing area.

* Geometrical aberration theory based on Fermat's principle
* Diffraction theory and transfer function approach to near-perfect telescopes
* Thorough discussion of 2-mirror telescopes, including misalignments
* Basic principles of spectrometry; grating and echelle instruments
* Schmidt and other catadioptric telescopes
* Principles of adaptive optics
* Over 220 figures and nearly 90 summary tables ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good for Spectrometer Optics
This book has some unique features. It treats the subject matter carefully, and in detail. The content is very useful. The treatment of spectrometer optics is particularly useful. The weakness of the book is that the diagrams are not well done, and the notation can be confusing. Overall, a useful book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Richard Feynman, the rock star of theoretical physics, has left an image that belies his nerdy side. Not many bongo-playing surfer beatniks would have spent hours of their spare time proving Newton's law of elliptical planetary motion using only plane geometry. But Feynman's Lost Lecture: The Motion of Planets Around the Sun shows that the great man did just that. Originally delivered to an introductory physics class at Caltech in 1963, this 76-minute CD and book set contains everything the math-savvy listener needs to savor the pleasures of applied math. Caltech physicist David L. Goodstein and archivist Judith R. Goodstein found the notes and tape amid another professor's papers and set to work making sense of them; unfortunately, photographs of the blackboard drawings didn't survive. The book briefly covers their find and recovery work, then presents the proof as reconstructed--crucial reading if one is to follow the lecture. There's nothing easy about it, as Feynman acknowledges in the lecture:

I am going to give what I will call an elementary demonstration. "Elementary" means that very little is required to know ahead of time in order to understand it, except to have an infinite amount of intelligence.

Reviews (24)

Finally a Comprehensive Theory using ALL the Sciences !
Allan and Delar provide a much-needed synopsis of scientific findings that may finally explain many loose ends regarding recent earth history. Unlike those who resort to name calling to prove their point (AKA some reviewers here), the authors carefully document "ALL" of their evidence to present a compelling story that ranks as a must read if you have any interest at all in recent earth history. I disagree completely with those who discount human legend as a possible source of information from which to view evidence or start an investigation when indeed the legend has persisted throughout the eons. Usually, these people are the same one's the Wright Brothers had to convince that flight was possible by dropping plane parts on their head. There are just too too many stories concerning a massive flood of some sort from all cultures of the world to just habitually ignore it. This book presents evidence of just what "MAY" have happened without linking it to "directed biblical directives" so ubiquitous in our culture today. It uses the work of many scientists from many fields. Each of the branches of science contributes a portion of the story and from the contribution of each the authors formulate a fascinating theory. The conclusion is a theory like any other but is very thought provoking. However, unless a time machine is invented ALL information today on what happened way back when is theory ONLY ! Imagine the Medicines we would have today if researchers were not allowed to revise their theories on biochemistry. What make those who believe in Ice Ages so completely 100% correct when they can't even explain why the earth got cold or - why it warmed up? Are they the exceptional "I've never been wrong even once" group? Touché for Allan and Delair! Thank you very very much. I have a huge interest in more fields than the average person does and this book is one of the most exciting and thought provoking books I have read in quite a while.

Read my lips: _torque_, dammit, _torque_!
I found WHEN THE EARTH NEARLY DIED to be a fascinating book. Certainly as a scholarly work it is very well done, exquisitely researched and documented. The authors do present compelling evidence for the hypothesis that one or more great cataclysms have happened to this planet during the tenure of our species upon it, and that these have been memorialized in legend and lore all over the world. Up to that point, I found it an outstanding piece of research, and would have given it five stars -- and _then_ found that a) they had postulated that only _one_ such cataclysm had occurred, that 11,500 years ago; b) that it caused an extremely rapid (within days) shift of the Earth's pole of rotation such that areas in the tropics were shifted to the temperate or arctica zones and vice-versa; and c) made a great many mistakes that those well-trained in history and the sciences would not have, such as referring to George Gamow, the great astronomer and cosmologist, one of the pioneering proponents of the Big Bang theory of cosmological evolution, as a "geologist." Concerning a), there now exists a tremendous amount of hard evidence to show that our planet has been repeatedly bombarded from space by comets and asteroids as well as undergoing atmospheric explosions of really large comets ever since it first began cooling out of its molten phase, at the end of the Hadean Eon, some 4 billion-plus years ago. For example, a barrage of four or more of these was responsible for the end of the Cretaceous Period/Mesozoic Era of Earthly life, 65 million years ago. Another, far larger such barrage was probably the cause, or one cause, of the Permian catastrophe, the largest Great Extinction of life on Earth, which terminated the Paleozoic Era of life, around 250 million years ago. In fact, such barrages, whether large or relatively small, seem, given the cratering that can still be seen on our world as well as corroborating evidence from the fossil record, to have been responsible for most or all of the terminations of various geological periods from the beginning of the Phanerozoic Eon of life onward and almost certainly before then, all the way back to the formation of our world, 5 billion years ago. Such terminations occur many times during the Cenozic Period, from 65 million years ago to the present. It would be strange if several, relatively minor such impacts and attendant disasters hadn't occurred numerous times throughout human history and prehistory -- one such may in fact have precipitated the Dark Ages, just 1500 years ago. So why just _one_ such disaster? To fit all the geological and other evidence of multiple cosmic disasters that have happened to our wrold into just one such, and that relatively recently, the authors had to conflate and confabulate their data nearly to death, thus destroying its usefulness. As for b)-- can you say "torque," children? If the Earth were to suddenly (within a few days or even less time) somehow "tip over" so that its axis of rotation was thereby noticeably shifted from its original position, by at least five degrees, as a result the Earth's crust would be peeled off its mantle like the rind off an orange, and melt down to the mantle in the process, thanks to the phenomenon of "torque," which is the resistance of a rotating, moving object to any change in angular momentum (which would perforce occur with a pole-tipping of the sort the authors postulate). Nothing would have been left of life on Earth after such a disaster, because the resistance of the Earth to such a change in its movement would liberate so much kinetic energy over such a short time that for a while, at least, what was left of this planet would be a very close approximation of Medieval ideas of the hotter parts of Hell. Obviously that hasn't happened since the Hadean eon; life has hung around here for over 4 billion years, so no such rapid change of the world's axial tilt, or of the positions of its tectonic plates relative to the poles of rotation, could have occurred in all that time. Back to the drawing board, gang . . . And as for c, mistakes such as those make it clear that the people who did such heartbreakingly careful work on their scholastic research weren't well-grounded in scientific method, the various scientific models and hypotheses pertinent to their subject, or important changes in those models since about 1985, when Luis and Walter Alvarez and their associates first revealed the results of their ground-breaking research on the Terminal Cretaceous Event to the world. Nice try, gang, and you certainly deserve an "E" for effort -- but you get a D+ for lack of scientific acumen, education, and awareness.

If you're into catastrophism read it
I'm tired...don't feel like writing much. I read this a few years ago. I remember being impressed with the research the author had done in ancient mythology. 'Course for all I know, he could have made it all up! But I doubt it. I liked the book. I think if you're into this sort of stuff and haven't read this one yet, it's worth the cash. I'm goin' to bed. Night.

An Open Minded Reader
Great, excellent, provocative! I rate this book 5++++. To anyone considering buying this book, totally ignore critiques citing statements like "pseudo science" "balderdash", yada, yada, yada, etc. Such readers are obviously incapable of thinking outside the orthodox box. As has been said before, "science(and other discipines)progress funeral by funeral"! The research for this book is impeccable. The authors, in addition to their monumental citations of other sicentists, historians, etc, have developed an extremely interesting hypothesis. Well worth the cost and the time it takes to devour all the details. And, finally thank goodness, they demonstrate that not all educated people think world wide myths and legends are based on fabrication. Like, duh . . . .

If you are interested in alternative theory as compared to the same ol' BS indicative of close mindedness, I know you will love this book.

CATACLYSM
Dear readers:

This book is a republication of "When the earth nearly died"
Just thought you would like to know in case you already have a copy. ... Read more

Book Description

The field of astrophysics is in the midst of a technologically driven renaissance, as fundamental discoveries are being made with astonishing frequency. In the last decade, new detectors in space, on earth, and deep underground have, when coupled with the computational power of modern computers, revolutionized our knowledge and understanding of the astronomical world. This is a great time for a student of any age to become acquainted with the remarkable universe in which we live. This volume is a collection of essays, originally presented orally to a diverse group of students and professionals, which reveal the most fertile areas for future study of astronomy and astrophysics.The emphasis of this work is on the clear description of the current state of our knowledge as a preparation for the future unraveling of the mysteries of the universe that appear today as most fundamental and most amenable to solution.

A stellar group of astronomers and astrophysicists describes the directions and styles of work that they think are most likely to lead to progress. Bibliographical notes at the end of each presentation provide guidance for the reader who wishes to go more deeply into a given subject. Unsolved Problems in Astrophysics is a uniquely stimulating introduction to some of the most important topics in modern astrophysics. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good book on a wealth of topics
This book provides a great amount of information on a wide variety of hot topics in contemporary astronomy, such as cosmology, AGNs, GRBs, and dark matter. My only complaint is that the material does tend to slant towards extragalactic astronomy. However, otherwise the material is extremely useful for someone looking for fresh material to work on. The references also provided within are great. The reading level is also easy, and is probably similar to Scientific American or Sky & Telescope.

the information contained therein is accurate and readable!
As far as I have been able to see with cross-referencing and my own checks and double-checks, the information in this publication is accurate. The layman ought be able to understand it with minimal effort. Very readable. ... Read more

Book Description

A fascinating introduction to the basic principles of orbital mechanics

It has been three hundred years since Isaac Newton first formulated laws to explain the orbits of the Moon and the planets of our solar system. In so doing he laid the groundwork for modern science's understanding of the workings of the cosmos and helped pave the way to the age of space exploration.

Adventures in Celestial Mechanics offers students an enjoyable way to become acquainted with the basic principles involved in the motions of natural and human-made bodies in space. Packed with examples in which these principles are applied to everything from a falling stone to the Sun, from space probes to galaxies, this updated and revised Second Edition is an ideal introduction to celestial mechanics for students of astronomy, physics, and aerospace engineering. Other features that helped make the first edition of this book the text of choice in colleges and universities across North America include:
* Lively historical accounts of important discoveries in celestial mechanics and the men and women who made them
* Superb illustrations, photographs, charts, and tables
* Helpful chapter-end examples and problem sets ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Needs a proof-reader
I read this book for pleasure as a first introduction to celestial mechanics (I am an astrohypsics major at my college), and found the selected topics coherently explained in comprehensible language. Perhaps more importantly, the mathematics (at least at the beginning) is covered more or less step-by-step - you won't get lost by any "it is therefore obvious..." and then a skip of five or six steps.
Unfortunately - -The books is rife with typos, and nothing so simple as a misspelling. At least every other page (and often several times on one page) an equation would have an exponent or operation error (such no division sign) and references in the explanations to earlier equations were regularly mistaken.
With a few more thorough proof-readings (and some more work on the second half of the book, which whizzes through a topic many times more complicated than the first half but in the same amount of time/pages), this book could easily move up to 5-stars.

A Review of "Adventures in Celestial Mechanics"
This book is an introduction to celestial mechanics.It assumes some knowledge of calculus and vectors; given the subject matter, an unavoidable assumption.It contains a number of nicely chosen numerical and mathematical examples in each chapter so that the reader can see both application and extension of the results presented in the chapter.Each chapter ends with some problems, without answers, that continue to extend the basics from the main text.Each chapter contains references to books and papers that supplement and extend the subject matter of the chapter.It ends with a glossary, an appendix of physical constants, and an annotated list of books for further reading for the very interested reader.The book list is particularly valuable if the reader wishes to continue learning celestial mechanics; it covers elementary to advanced texts.

The first chapter provides a historical review of progress in celestial mechanics with a list of notable (dead) practitioners of celestial mechanics.A subjective list of living practitioners might have been helpful in this chapter.Chapters two through six establish the basis of orbital motion, starting with circular motion in chapter two.The mathematical basis for orbital motion is established in chapter three using the law of gravitation and Newton's laws of motion.Successive chapters generalize and expand on the results of chapters two and three.Chapter five introduces rockets and powered flight trajectories. Chapter six introduces parabolic and hyperbolic orbits.

Chapter seven discusses two topics of great practical importance, Kepler's law and Lambert's theorem.While both of these topics are several hundred years old they continue to be rich areas for current development in celestial mechanics.These two crucial topics are well covered.Chapter eight applies the previous material to the subject of orbital transfer; this chapter is the basis for flight between planets.Chapter nine digresses into spacecraft attitude dynamics, a complete discipline in its own right.It introduces the mathematics of the physical motion of a spacecraft about a local reference system.At 25 pages, it is a tight and tidy introduction to the subject.Chapter ten is titled "Planetary Exploration" although it also covers the creation of the solar system and trajectory modification by gravity assistance.More heavily illustrated than the other chapters, chapter ten's main topic is exploration of the solar system by spacecraft.Chapter eleven introduces perturbation theory; what happens to an orbit when more than two bodies make up the gravitational system.Chapter twelve applies perturbation theory to artificial satellites of Earth.(Chapters nine and twelve ought to make you appreciate how hard it is to get those great Hubble Space Telescope images.)Chapter thirteen must have been both the easiest and hardest chapter to write since Szebehely was one of the masters of this subject.It introduces the three-body problem and solar system stability with a nod to chaos theory.

All in all, this book is an excellent introduction to the topic of celestial mechanics.To the depth that the subject is explored, there are no loose ends.(The reviewer does regret that the Introduction from the first edition of this book was omitted from the second edition.) ... Read more

Book Description

This book is a rigorous, unified account of the fundamental principles of the density-functional theory of the electronic structure of matter and its applications to atoms and molecules.Containing a detailed discussion of the chemical potential and its derivatives, it provides an understanding of the concepts of electronegativity, hardness and softness, and chemical reactivity. Both the Hohenberg-Kohn-Sham and the Levy-Lieb derivations of the basic theorems are presented, and extensive references to the literature are included. Two introductory chapters and several appendices provide all the background material necessary beyond a knowledge of elementary quantum theory.The book is intended for physicists, chemists, and advanced students in chemistry. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A classic in the field
Density functional theory has been used in solid state physics for many decades. It has recently become popular in quantum chemistry. The authors have made seminal contributions to the field and their insight is distilled into this book. The focus of this book is on understanding the physics and chemistry underlying density functional theory - it does not concern itself with computatioonal details of the methodology or specific applications to different systems. Parr and Yang's book has now become a classic in the field, a must-buy for any student or researcher of density functional theory in chemistry. ... Read more

Book Description

Based on field notes made by Michael Covington throughout his career as an amateur astronomer, this guide covers both the traditional and novel approaches to studying the night sky. In addition to the more standard techniques, it discusses the latest modern resources available to today's astronomer, such as personal computers, the internet, and computerized telescopes. Covington includes practical advice on site selection and weather; detailed instructions for observing the Sun, Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects; and newer specialities such as satellite observing and the use of astronomical databases. Written to complement How to Use a Computerized Telescope, this book appeals to astronomers with more traditional equipment.Michael A. Covington is an associate research scientist at the University of Georgia.He is a computational linguist trained in the computer processing of human languages and the computer modeling of human logical reasoning, and a widely recognized expert on the Prolog programming language.He is the author of nine books including Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms, Seventh Edition (Barron's, 2000), Astrophotography for the Amateur (Cambridge, 1999), PROLOG Programming in Depth (Simon & Schuster, 1996), Cambridge Eclipse Photography Guide (1993), and Syntactic Theory in the High Middle Ages (Cambridge, 1985). A senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Covington is a Contributing Editor to, and former "Q&A" columnist of Poptronics magazine. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Just "Very Good" , not Perfect!
I have been buying alot of astronomy and telescope books of late--primarily to augment my new telescope. This is one of the better ones , since it is really much more substantive than the "cheerleading" books that are more useful at gracing the coffee table than the accessory tray of a telescope in use. The major plus feature for me is the format of the illustrations , which show the objects through a mirror type diagonal. Most , if not all , observations by amateur astronomers use this convention these days. The author goes into adequate detail on double star observing : measurement of position angle and seperation are very well explained.

My only criticism is the assumption that all users will be using computerized telescopes , and completely ignores those of us who "star hop" by choice , and not necessity. The lack of star hopping descriptions downgrades my rating to a strong 4 stars.

Highly recommended.

I've got a "Go To" scope, now what?
Looking for objects to look at with your computerized "Go To" telescope? Michael Covington, author of "Astrophotography for the Amateur" and "How to Use a Computerized Telescope" has a few suggestions. In this second volume of Cambridge's Practical Amateur Astronomy series he suggests various targets and observing programs. But that is not all. Also are tips on how to get the most out of various sources to identify the object of interest from various catalogs or atlases and to be able to tell a "Go To" telescope how to point to it. Probably the most useful pages in the book are the Bayer/Flamsteed to SAO cross-index and the GVCS constellation codes and star numbers.

Chapters:
PART I - Amatuer astronomy
1. Using this book effectively
2. Observing sites and conditions
3. The Moon, the Sun, and eclipses
4. The planets
5. Comets, asteroids (minor planets), and artificial satellites
6. Constellations
7. Stars - identification, nomenclature, and maps
8. Stars - physical properties
9. Double and multiple stars
10. Variable stars
11. Clusters, nebulae, and galaxies
PART II - 200 interesting stars and deep-sky objects
12. How these objects were chosen
13. The January-February sky (R.A. 6h-10h)
14. The March-April sky (R.A. 10h-14h)
15. The May-June sky (R.A. 14h-18h)
16. The July-August sky (R.A. 18h-22h)
17. The September-October sky (R.A. 22h-2h)
18. The November-December sky (R.A. 2h-6h)
Appendices
A. Converting decimal minutes to seconds
B. Precession from 1950 to 2000
C. Julian date, 2001-2015

The logical follow up for "How to Use a Computerized Telescope", this volume shows one how to use the various sources available to find the objects one is interested in studying. If I had this book when I first bought my LX200, I would have developed better habits in planning my observing sessions by being able to identify objects in the manner that the telescope has them identified in its database to find them quicker to allow more time for study and or imaging. ... Read more

Book Description

The purpose of science is to understand Reality. The ultimate goal and Holy Grail of physics is to understand everything by a single all-embracing principle called the Theory of Everything (TOE).

Jerry Davidson Wheatley has produced a scientific book that details how he found an excellent candidate for the Theory of Everything Equation: One that defies all other possibilities.

The book describes the Structure of Reality and how it leads to the Ultimate Principle. The principle explains the ultimate nature of space and time. It unifies the four forces of nature (gravitational, electromagnetic, weak and strong nuclear forces) and merges Relativity with Quantum Theory. It defines the nature of consciousness and experience and, in so doing, elucidates the idea of God and Creation. It scientifically explains the Bible and most religions.

It solves and explains the most vexing scientific and philosophical problems. It explains biological evolution in a nonreductionistic manner. It explains the Big Bang. It solves the logical dilemma left by Goedel's Incompleteness Theorems.

His book is a comprehensive scientific understanding of reality. Yet, no math skills are needed to understand it. Recommended for serious scientists and truth-seekers. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Should be Required Reading for everyone
This book will change your life. You will never think the same way you did before reading it.
I have a degree in chemistry and I think this book should be read by everyone in the sciences. Without a doubt, the best book I've ever read. Why and what are two of our best friends

A Very Important Book
I must preface my review by stating that I have never been so excited and moved by a book that I have wanted to contact the author. That is what I found myself doing upon reading this book. This book is just what its title says. The author does not "miss a beat" describing in great detail using practically every aspect of scientific knowledge from atomic structure through logic to quantum theory---we are even given a valuable explanation of Love. This text may be challenging to read for those unfamiliar with scientific terminology. And it can also be difficult for those with a science background, such as myself. However, for me it is well worth the work necessary to strive to understand the unfamiliar terminology. (I am continually learning from this book. I am presently on my third reread).

One of the author's main messages is "not" to believe anything without first verifying it with reality, as we know it. He calls it the "Personal Explanation Principle". He indicates that religions are just such belief systems that we as people "fall" victims of; because we do not verify the beliefs with the facts, as we know them, of reality. He gives a very detailed explanation of how the New Testament can be explored using his methodology.

The author methodically and meticulously walks us through his thought processes, which took 30 years to assimilate, of delineating the structure of reality and the nature of consciousness. Included in the "walk" are many of reality's phenomena made revelatory. An example of that, for me, would be the dual nature of light. It's particle/wave duality, which is explained as "functions". Also, when the author took me on the mental journey of "Setness" an exhilaration of the magnificence of life swelled up in me.

To me this is a very important book that should be read by all that are seekers of truth. It is for all those wanting to gain an understanding of the purpose for their existence, wanting to know where life is headed towards, and wanting to know who God is.

This book will enlighten and develop one's mind substantially. You will discover that this is our objective.

And yes, I contacted the author and he responded openly.

Illuminating!!!
This is a really great book. It combines philosophy and science in order to tackle a multitude of existential problems. The author's style of writing is fresh and alive, I recommend ths book to anyone interested in expanding the fronteirs of their understanding. Books I also liked are a Universe in an Nutshell by Steven Hawkings and Descent into Illusions by Paul Omeziri.

Patterns for Behavioral Studies
Mr. Wheatley has touched upon one of the most intriguing methods, through scientific study and evalution, that leads to new deductions for behavioral patterns. Many books have been written for sociological, psychological, cultural, and behavioral studies, of which I have a deep interest. However, as you are led step by step through the scientific processes of this book, one's perspective of human behavior will take on a whole new meaning. Such questions as "why do people behave the way they do?", or "How do cultural, geographical, sociological factors impact our behavior?" take on a whole new perspective for study and evaluation. This book could become required text at the college level for scientific studies. I was fascinated with several concepts put forth by Mr. Wheatley.

"It is the Glory of God to conceal a matter" Proverbs 25:2
If you awoke from Nowhere and quickly overcame your Fear, BUY THIS BOOK! If you have looked out from the eyes of Adam Kadmon before all of this began, BUY THIS BOOK! If you saw the Creation take place before your eyes, BUY THIS BOOK! If you saw the left profile of the Bearded Man on the Mountain across the Great Abyss, BUY THIS BOOK! If you have witnessed effects before their cause, BUY THIS BOOK! If the Man on the Tesseract rescued you from the place where the Two Great Seas meet, BUY THIS BOOK! If you have been given the Three Words of the Two-Edged Sword, BUY THIS BOOK! If you became One in Perfect Love with Unseen She and are now an empty shell, BUY THIS BOOK! If you unceasingly recognize Synchronicity, BUY THIS BOOK! If, in addition to the Eternal Questions, you have asked, "What's happening?" "What's going on?", BUY THIS BOOK! Wheatley is a Master Teacher. He speaks square words to those who have square earholes to hear. Perhaps some may think this book should not have been published at such a ridiculously low price, believing pearls should not be cast before swine. Albeit, to those initiated in the mysteries of Life, willingly or unwillingly, HERE IS YOUR MANUAL. Here is the understanding of what it was you experienced. "[T]he glory of kings is to search out a matter." Ibid ... Read more

Reviews (7)

words have meanings
Having read many books on this subject, including the book by D.James Kennedy, I consider this the best. It does in fact take into consideration the fact that the stars have moved since the ancient names were changed to the modern. Also the MIRRACLE IN STONE, BY SEISS, was in conjunction with his study of the Temple at Ein Gaihdi, which depects the ancient zodiac of about the time of the flood. The simple fact overlooked by Hunt is that in the ancient languages, the stars tell the gospel. And the original purpose of the materials he drew from were actually a study in lexiconography whose purpose was to prove the existence of an original language on earth,,,and only happened to lead to the larger realization that the mysteries were a corruption of the ancient zodiac, and not as is commonly believed, that christianity drew on mystery sources. This is a must read for the Christian.....

The most highly trusted and authoritative source....
This book is certainly the most authoritative and trusted source on the subject of Biblical Astronomy. Having owned more than one copy of this text, as well as multiple copies of other manuscripts of this type(and having a background of Theological study), I can say without a doubt that this book is an absolute MUST HAVE for anyone interested in Biblical Astronomy.

The Gospel In The Stars
I agree with Dave Hunt, perhaps the Charles Spurgeon of our day, who wrote in his May, 1989 issue of The Berean Call about "The Gospel of the Stars" by Charles Seiss. Hunt wrote that books such as this set aside sound doctrine in favor of myths. "Seiss' book asserts that the signs of the zodiac were originally designed by God to communicate the 'gospel'; that this 'Gospel in the Stars' was known to those living before the flood; that it was later corrupted into asrology; and that the alleged recovery of the 'gospel interpretation' of the zodiac is a great witness to God and His Word." However, Hunt goes on to say that "not one shred of historical evidence can be offered in support of this theory. It is based not upon fact but speculation. Seiss even admits that the insights leading to his thesis came 'in connection with his studies of the marvelous wisdom embodied in the Great Pyramid at El Giza' (p5). The alleged 'Gospel in the Stars' is simply a "Christian' interpretation of astrology and occultism, in the same class as pyramidology--and equally dangerous." For more information on this book, and on E.W. Bullinger's "Witness of the Stars" one should request a reprint of Hunt's May, 1989 article from The Berean Call. Both Seiss and Bullinger are spreading mythology under the guise of Biblical Christianity. James Beeson

Maybe not so good as I thought
I previously gave this a positive review. But after studying the topic more in depth, one finds the evidence very weak and specualtive. While the writings of Job and Encoh show that skywatching was more prevelant in the past, this is true of all cultures. The sky was used for time-keeping and farming.

The author overlooks one important point in this book, that the stars move. The constellations we see now are nothing like what the first men saw. This destroys the entire point of the book.

Loved this book on the meaning of the constellations.
I am an astrologer and a Christian. Loved this book on the meaning of the constellations and the signs. This man is full of knowledge we need. I still don't see how it contradicts with my analysis of personality based on star signs. I think maybe these are based on the twelve tribes that were assigned different duties according to their abilities. I still find some truth in astrology. I don't have a problem reconciling these two views, but I will admit the plan of the creator cannot be topped! This book really puts one in touch with Him. I had been looking for such at book all along. Bought some other books which purported to explain this stuff, but I wasted my money on them. This is the one to get. ... Read more

Book Description

Exactly what is beyond Pluto?Why, in the last ten years, has the Solar System more than doubled in size? For the first time, in almost two centuries, an entirely new population of planetary objects has been found that may well explain these two questions.This newly discovered realm of minor planets, now known as the "Kuiper Belt," has reconceptualized our understanding of how the Solar System was formed and has finally given ontological explanations for the enigmatic outer planet Pluto.Beyond Pluto is the fascinating story of how a group of theoretical physicists decided that there must be a population of unknown bodies beyond Pluto and how a small band of astronomers set out to find them. Acclaimed scientist John K. Davies recounts how they predicted the existence of these planetary bodies, how they were eventually discovered, and how Pluto was named.In addition, Davies provides biographies of the astronomers who discovered these new worlds and information on the telescopes they used. John K. Davies is a support scientist for the UK Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) atop the dormant volcano Mauna Kea in Hawaii.He holds PhDs in chemistry and astronomy, discovered six comets while teaching at Leicester University in the UK, and was a member of the ISO-CAM team at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has contributed to magazines such as Astronomy, New Scientist, Sky & Telescope, and Space.In 2000, a small main asteroid belt was named Johndavies in recognition of his numerous contributions to astronomy. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

This is what astronomers actually do
Television documentaries about astronomers tend to romanticize their work, making it look like a parade of exciting discoveries. This book, about the search for objects beyond the traditional nine planets, gives the reader a much more realistic picture. Davies describes how individual astronomers and small groups work through the laborious processes of searching, analyzing results, and testing theories. There are many obstacles, including scientific rivalries and limited access to observatories. Yet patient work has gradually revealed an enormous, previously undetected realm of icy planetoids, some of which are perturbed into the inner solar system to become comets.

Davies' writing is clear and straightforward, avoiding mathematics and explaining technical terms where necessary. Readers with a serious interest in astronomy will find this book fascinating. Readers whose interest is only marginal may find it too detailed and slow-moving. Though the black and white illustrations are useful, it would have helped to have diagrams showing the scale of this vast realm all the way out to the hypothetical Oort Cloud. Good examples can be found in the June 2004 issue of Sky and Telescope.

Beyond Pluto
Davies, a scientist with the UK Infrared Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, tells the story of the discovery and investigation of the Kuiper Belt. Rarely discussed in most astronomy courses, this structure exists outside Pluto's orbit and explains the odd behavior and nature of Pluto. The book details the work of the large number of investigators that finally characterized the belt and gives details as to the belt's structure and the constitution of belt components. Though not a technical treatise, this book is not for the uninitiated. A basic understanding of the solar system and a basic scientific vocabulary are needed to get the most benefit from the book. Davies tells a good story by first introducing the objects of the Kuiper Belt and going through the history of the belt's discovery. He then gives a fairly detailed description of belt composition and ends with a very interesting discussion on the consequences of these discoveries for models of the solar system's evolution. It seems that most of the news one is offered in astronomy is either about cosmology or black holes. Davies shows that interesting and revealing astronomical studies are still being carried out on our system. General readers.

This book should really be called "Beyond Neptune"
I bought this book to get information on the trans-Plutonian objects recently discovered. While there is some material on this (apparently little is actually known), most of the book is about the scientists who discovered these objects and how they did it. If you're looking for a book on how scientists work, this is quite good, but if like me you're looking for a book on the results of that work, you may be disappointed. I feel the title is a misnomer (though probably attention getting), because Pluto and its moon are among the objects discussed! Also, most of the objects orbit between Neptune and Pluto (at least when Pluto is at its average distance), so are really better described as trans-Neptunian than trans-Plutonian. I don't mean to be so negative about the book; it wasn't what I expected, based on the title, but it could be just what you're looking for.

Clear and concise
This book is a summary of the (few) things we (think we) know about the objects that orbit beyond Neptune. The author gradually guides the reader through the science of these small icy objects, which existence was suspected almost 50 years before their actual discovery.

Introductory historical and theoretical chapters, covering the period from the discovery of Pluto and the next decades, are followed by more and more discoveries and scientific results, most of them not older than 10 years. From the first Centaurs to the extrasolar dust disks observations, every aspect is clearly explained, and ultimately provides a complete picture of this region of the solar system.

Throughout this chronology, the author explains the science as well as the way this science is actually done, up in the observatories in Hawaii, or in an university office, in front of a computer screen. It is a very honest tribute to the people (the author being one of them) that spend most of their time trying to set-up complex experiments, understand the cryptic data sent back by their high-tech instruments, and then write articles about things they are usually the first to analyze.

This book is short because not much is known yet. But it is fascinating because almost everything we know has been discovered in the last 10 years, and you can expect more in the very near future. In order to get the most of what we be published, this book is the place to start.

And for those, like me, who are interested in the far regions of the solar system, I would recommend this other book about the "King of the Kuiper Belt", Pluto, written by another specialist (Alan Stern