Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 1526790068
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 473
Book Description
The “excellent resource” used by both amateur and professional astronomers for sixty years, filled with references and enlightening articles (Booklist). Since this invaluable annual publication first appeared in 1962, stargazers and sky-watchers have enjoyed its comprehensive, jargon-free monthly sky notes and its authoritative set of sky charts that enable backyard astronomers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers, and minor planets, as well as detailing the phases of the moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. It also includes a variety of entertaining and informative articles. In the 2022 edition, you’ll find coverage of a wide range of topics including: A History of the Amateur Astronomical Society: 1962 to 2022 Expanding Cosmic Horizons Frank Drake and His Equation Remote Telescopes Skies Over Ancient America, and more After six decades, The Yearbook of Astronomy continues to be essential reading for anyone fascinated by the magic and mysteries of our universe.
Yearbook of Astronomy 2023
Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 1399018450
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 359
Book Description
Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of Astronomy 2023 contains comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and an authoritative set of sky charts to enable backyard astronomers and sky gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as detailing the phases of the Moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. To supplement all this is a variety of entertaining and informative articles, a feature for which the Yearbook of Astronomy is known. Presenting the reader with information on a wide range of topics, the articles for the 2023 edition include, among others, The Incomparable Sir Patrick Moore; Shining a Light on Jupiter’s Atmosphere; A Brief History of the End of the Universe; The Closing of Historic Observatories; The Ability to Believe: Bizarre Worlds of Astronomical Antireality; Optical SETI at Harvard; The Future of Spaceflight; and Male Family Mentors for Women in Astronomy: Caroline and William Herschel. This iconic publication made its first appearance way back in 1962, shortly after the dawning of the Space Age. Now into its seventh decade of production, the Yearbook continues to be essential reading for anyone lured and fascinated by the magic of astronomy and who has a desire to extend their knowledge of the Universe and the wonders it plays host to. The Yearbook of Astronomy is indeed an inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, and warrants a place on the bookshelf of all stargazers and watchers of the Universe.
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 1399018450
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 359
Book Description
Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of Astronomy 2023 contains comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and an authoritative set of sky charts to enable backyard astronomers and sky gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as detailing the phases of the Moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. To supplement all this is a variety of entertaining and informative articles, a feature for which the Yearbook of Astronomy is known. Presenting the reader with information on a wide range of topics, the articles for the 2023 edition include, among others, The Incomparable Sir Patrick Moore; Shining a Light on Jupiter’s Atmosphere; A Brief History of the End of the Universe; The Closing of Historic Observatories; The Ability to Believe: Bizarre Worlds of Astronomical Antireality; Optical SETI at Harvard; The Future of Spaceflight; and Male Family Mentors for Women in Astronomy: Caroline and William Herschel. This iconic publication made its first appearance way back in 1962, shortly after the dawning of the Space Age. Now into its seventh decade of production, the Yearbook continues to be essential reading for anyone lured and fascinated by the magic of astronomy and who has a desire to extend their knowledge of the Universe and the wonders it plays host to. The Yearbook of Astronomy is indeed an inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, and warrants a place on the bookshelf of all stargazers and watchers of the Universe.
Yearbook of Astronomy 2025
Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 1036115186
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 370
Book Description
"Overall, this is a wonderful work written to be accessible to people with more than a passing interest in astronomy." — Booklist on the 2023 edition of Yearbook of Astronomy Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of Astronomy 2025 contains comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and an authoritative set of sky charts to enable backyard astronomers and sky gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as detailing the phases of the Moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. To supplement all this is a variety of entertaining and informative articles, a feature for which the Yearbook of Astronomy is known. Presenting the reader with information on a wide range of topics, the articles for the 2025 edition include, among others, Recent Advances in Astronomy; Recent Advances in Solar System Exploration; Skies over Ancient America: Mystical Mounds and Landmarks of the Prehistoric Americas; Astrophysicist Cecilia Helena Payne and Professor H. N. Russell; The Astronomers’ Stars: The Terrible Twos; Eta Carinae: A Chance Encounter and Journey of Discovery; Saturn at its Equinox: A History of Ring-Plane Crossings from 1612 to 2025; A History of Observatory Designs: Before the Telescope; Signals from the Magnetosphere; How to Read a Scientific Paper; and Small Stars. This iconic publication made its first appearance way back in 1962, shortly after the dawning of the Space Age. Now well into its seventh decade of production, the Yearbook continues to be essential reading for anyone lured and fascinated by the magic of astronomy and who has a desire to extend their knowledge of the Universe and the wonders to which it plays host. The Yearbook of Astronomy is indeed an inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, and warrants a place on the bookshelf of all stargazers and watchers of the skies.
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 1036115186
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 370
Book Description
"Overall, this is a wonderful work written to be accessible to people with more than a passing interest in astronomy." — Booklist on the 2023 edition of Yearbook of Astronomy Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of Astronomy 2025 contains comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and an authoritative set of sky charts to enable backyard astronomers and sky gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as detailing the phases of the Moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. To supplement all this is a variety of entertaining and informative articles, a feature for which the Yearbook of Astronomy is known. Presenting the reader with information on a wide range of topics, the articles for the 2025 edition include, among others, Recent Advances in Astronomy; Recent Advances in Solar System Exploration; Skies over Ancient America: Mystical Mounds and Landmarks of the Prehistoric Americas; Astrophysicist Cecilia Helena Payne and Professor H. N. Russell; The Astronomers’ Stars: The Terrible Twos; Eta Carinae: A Chance Encounter and Journey of Discovery; Saturn at its Equinox: A History of Ring-Plane Crossings from 1612 to 2025; A History of Observatory Designs: Before the Telescope; Signals from the Magnetosphere; How to Read a Scientific Paper; and Small Stars. This iconic publication made its first appearance way back in 1962, shortly after the dawning of the Space Age. Now well into its seventh decade of production, the Yearbook continues to be essential reading for anyone lured and fascinated by the magic of astronomy and who has a desire to extend their knowledge of the Universe and the wonders to which it plays host. The Yearbook of Astronomy is indeed an inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, and warrants a place on the bookshelf of all stargazers and watchers of the skies.
Yearbook of Astronomy 2024
Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 1399044044
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of Astronomy 2024 contains comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and an authoritative set of sky charts to enable backyard astronomers and sky gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as detailing the phases of the Moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. To supplement all this is a variety of entertaining and informative articles, a feature for which the Yearbook of Astronomy is known. Presenting the reader with information on a wide range of topics, the articles for the 2024 edition include, among others, Recent Advances in Astronomy; Recent Advances in Solar System Exploration; Riccardo Giacconi: X-ray Astronomy Pioneer; Things Fall Apart – Chaos in the Solar System; Communicating From the Edge of the Solar System; Astronomy in Antarctica; Tracking Older Artificial Satellites; Inner Lives of Dead Stars; and A Triumvirate of Telescope Makers – Thomas Cooke, Howard Grubb and Alvan Clark. This iconic publication made its first appearance way back in 1962, shortly after the dawning of the Space Age. Now into its seventh decade of production, the Yearbook continues to be essential reading for anyone lured and fascinated by the magic of astronomy and who has a desire to extend their knowledge of the Universe and the wonders to which it plays host. The Yearbook of Astronomy is indeed an inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, and warrants a place on the bookshelf of all stargazers and watchers of the skies.
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 1399044044
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of Astronomy 2024 contains comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and an authoritative set of sky charts to enable backyard astronomers and sky gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as detailing the phases of the Moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. To supplement all this is a variety of entertaining and informative articles, a feature for which the Yearbook of Astronomy is known. Presenting the reader with information on a wide range of topics, the articles for the 2024 edition include, among others, Recent Advances in Astronomy; Recent Advances in Solar System Exploration; Riccardo Giacconi: X-ray Astronomy Pioneer; Things Fall Apart – Chaos in the Solar System; Communicating From the Edge of the Solar System; Astronomy in Antarctica; Tracking Older Artificial Satellites; Inner Lives of Dead Stars; and A Triumvirate of Telescope Makers – Thomas Cooke, Howard Grubb and Alvan Clark. This iconic publication made its first appearance way back in 1962, shortly after the dawning of the Space Age. Now into its seventh decade of production, the Yearbook continues to be essential reading for anyone lured and fascinated by the magic of astronomy and who has a desire to extend their knowledge of the Universe and the wonders to which it plays host. The Yearbook of Astronomy is indeed an inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, and warrants a place on the bookshelf of all stargazers and watchers of the skies.
Yearbook of Astronomy 2021
Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 1526771888
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 363
Book Description
The annual treasury for sky-watchers and stargazers, including references and a variety of fascinating articles. The Yearbook of Astronomy series is renowned for its comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and authoritative sky charts that enable backyard astronomers and sky-gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers, and minor planets, as well as detailing the phases of the moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. Every annual edition also includes a variety of entertaining and informative articles. Among the wide-ranging articles in this 2021 edition are: Male Family Mentors for Women in Astronomy Henrietta Swan Leavitt and Her Work Solar Observing Obsolete Constellations Lunar Volcanism Pages From the Past: Collecting Vintage Astronomy Books Maori Astronomy in Aotearoa-New Zealand, and more In addition you’ll find the first in a series entitled Mission to Mars: Countdown to Building a Brave New World, scheduled to appear in the Yearbook throughout the 2020s to keep you fully up to date with the ongoing investigations, research, and preparations that are already underway, as well as those in the planning phase, geared towards sending a manned mission to Mars around the end of the decade. We are at the start of what promises to be an exciting journey—and the Yearbook of Astronomy continues to be an essential companion.
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 1526771888
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 363
Book Description
The annual treasury for sky-watchers and stargazers, including references and a variety of fascinating articles. The Yearbook of Astronomy series is renowned for its comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and authoritative sky charts that enable backyard astronomers and sky-gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers, and minor planets, as well as detailing the phases of the moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. Every annual edition also includes a variety of entertaining and informative articles. Among the wide-ranging articles in this 2021 edition are: Male Family Mentors for Women in Astronomy Henrietta Swan Leavitt and Her Work Solar Observing Obsolete Constellations Lunar Volcanism Pages From the Past: Collecting Vintage Astronomy Books Maori Astronomy in Aotearoa-New Zealand, and more In addition you’ll find the first in a series entitled Mission to Mars: Countdown to Building a Brave New World, scheduled to appear in the Yearbook throughout the 2020s to keep you fully up to date with the ongoing investigations, research, and preparations that are already underway, as well as those in the planning phase, geared towards sending a manned mission to Mars around the end of the decade. We are at the start of what promises to be an exciting journey—and the Yearbook of Astronomy continues to be an essential companion.
Yearbook of Astronomy 2020
Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526753286
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 525
Book Description
The celebrated annual for sky-watchers and stargazers, including references and a variety of fascinating articles. The Yearbook of Astronomy series is known for its comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and authoritative sky charts that enable backyard astronomers and sky-gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers, and minor planets, as well as detailing the phases of the moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. Every annual edition also includes a variety of entertaining and informative articles. Among the wide-ranging articles in this edition are: 200 Years of the Royal Astronomical Society The Naming of Stars Astronomical Sketching Dark Matter and Galaxies Eclipsing Binaries The First Known Black Hole A Perspective on the Aboriginal View of the World, and more First appearing in 1962, shortly after the dawning of the Space Age, Yearbook of Astronomy continues to be essential reading for any sky-watcher or stargazer, amateur and professional alike, who wants to expand their knowledge of the universe and its wonders.
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526753286
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 525
Book Description
The celebrated annual for sky-watchers and stargazers, including references and a variety of fascinating articles. The Yearbook of Astronomy series is known for its comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and authoritative sky charts that enable backyard astronomers and sky-gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year’s eclipses, comets, meteor showers, and minor planets, as well as detailing the phases of the moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. Every annual edition also includes a variety of entertaining and informative articles. Among the wide-ranging articles in this edition are: 200 Years of the Royal Astronomical Society The Naming of Stars Astronomical Sketching Dark Matter and Galaxies Eclipsing Binaries The First Known Black Hole A Perspective on the Aboriginal View of the World, and more First appearing in 1962, shortly after the dawning of the Space Age, Yearbook of Astronomy continues to be essential reading for any sky-watcher or stargazer, amateur and professional alike, who wants to expand their knowledge of the universe and its wonders.
Yearbook of Astronomy, 2019
Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1526737043
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 397
Book Description
An inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, the Yearbook of Astronomy warrants a place on the bookshelf of all sky watchers and stargazers. Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of Astronomy 2019 contains an authoritative set of sky charts and comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes to enable backyard astronomers everywhere to plan their viewing of the years eclipses, comets, meteor showers and deep sky objects.In addition, a variety of entertaining and informative articles present the reader with information on a wide range of topics including, among others, The Cassini-Huygens Mission to the Saturn System; 100 Years of the International Astronomical Union; The First Micro-Quasar; Getting the Measure of Double Stars; Asaph Hall: Man of Mars; and Science Fiction and the Future of Astronomy.The Yearbook of Astronomy has been around for well over half a century and, as it heads towards its Diamond Jubilee edition in 2022, continues to be essential reading for anyone lured by the magic of astronomy and who wants to extend their knowledge of the Universe and the wonders it plays host to.
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1526737043
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 397
Book Description
An inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, the Yearbook of Astronomy warrants a place on the bookshelf of all sky watchers and stargazers. Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of Astronomy 2019 contains an authoritative set of sky charts and comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes to enable backyard astronomers everywhere to plan their viewing of the years eclipses, comets, meteor showers and deep sky objects.In addition, a variety of entertaining and informative articles present the reader with information on a wide range of topics including, among others, The Cassini-Huygens Mission to the Saturn System; 100 Years of the International Astronomical Union; The First Micro-Quasar; Getting the Measure of Double Stars; Asaph Hall: Man of Mars; and Science Fiction and the Future of Astronomy.The Yearbook of Astronomy has been around for well over half a century and, as it heads towards its Diamond Jubilee edition in 2022, continues to be essential reading for anyone lured by the magic of astronomy and who wants to extend their knowledge of the Universe and the wonders it plays host to.
Yearbook of Astronomy, 2018
Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526717433
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 355
Book Description
The YEARBOOK OF ASTRONOMY 2018 is a book no stargazer should be without.Recognized by both amateurs and professionals alike as an indispensable guide to the night sky, the Yearbook of Astronomy is one of the longest-running series of books on astronomy and the night sky and one of the only reference books to be fully revised each year. Formerly edited by Patrick Moore, this iconic publication first appeared way back in 1962 (well over half-a-century ago) and continues to be, as it was then, the main popular astronomy annual for amateur astronomers.Forthcoming editions will endeavor to maintain the popular style and familiarity of previous editions as well as offering its readers a new, invigorating and inspirational layout and presentation. The 2018 edition contains authoritative sky charts and detailed monthly sky notes that plot a clear path though the years lunar phases, eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as featuring a variety of articles covering a wide range of astronomy-related topics.Articles for the 2018 edition include: Solar System Exploration in 2017 by Peter Rea; Astronomy in 2017 by Rod Hine; Anniversaries in 2018 by Neil Haggath; Supermassive Black Holes by David M Harland; Comets and How to Photograph Them by Damian Peach; Some Pioneering Lady Astronomers by Mike Frost; Double and Multiple Stars by John McCue; Modern Video Astronomy by Steve Wainwright; Is There Still a Place for Art in Astronomy? by David A Hardy; and much more. Bursting with up-to-the-minute information, this Yearbook of Astronomy 2018 is, as ever, essential reading for anyone fascinated by the night sky . . .
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526717433
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 355
Book Description
The YEARBOOK OF ASTRONOMY 2018 is a book no stargazer should be without.Recognized by both amateurs and professionals alike as an indispensable guide to the night sky, the Yearbook of Astronomy is one of the longest-running series of books on astronomy and the night sky and one of the only reference books to be fully revised each year. Formerly edited by Patrick Moore, this iconic publication first appeared way back in 1962 (well over half-a-century ago) and continues to be, as it was then, the main popular astronomy annual for amateur astronomers.Forthcoming editions will endeavor to maintain the popular style and familiarity of previous editions as well as offering its readers a new, invigorating and inspirational layout and presentation. The 2018 edition contains authoritative sky charts and detailed monthly sky notes that plot a clear path though the years lunar phases, eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as featuring a variety of articles covering a wide range of astronomy-related topics.Articles for the 2018 edition include: Solar System Exploration in 2017 by Peter Rea; Astronomy in 2017 by Rod Hine; Anniversaries in 2018 by Neil Haggath; Supermassive Black Holes by David M Harland; Comets and How to Photograph Them by Damian Peach; Some Pioneering Lady Astronomers by Mike Frost; Double and Multiple Stars by John McCue; Modern Video Astronomy by Steve Wainwright; Is There Still a Place for Art in Astronomy? by David A Hardy; and much more. Bursting with up-to-the-minute information, this Yearbook of Astronomy 2018 is, as ever, essential reading for anyone fascinated by the night sky . . .
Yearbook of Astronomy 2022
Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 9781526790057
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 352
Book Description
The Yearbook of Astronomy 2022 is the Diamond Jubilee edition of this iconic publication, the annual appearance of which has been eagerly anticipated by astronomers, both amateur and professional, ever since this invaluable book first appeared in 1962. As the preface to the 1962 edition informed its readers, the post-war years had seen a tremendous growth of interest in astronomy and space research. Doubtless fueled by the dawn of the Space Age, the launch of Sputnik 1 in October 1957 marked a significant change in the course of history. This epoch-making event, coupled with the subsequent flights of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (April 1961) and American astronaut Alan Shepard (May 1961), served to engender a public interest in astronomy and space that has continued to grow and expand to this day. Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of Astronomy 2022 contains comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and an authoritative set of sky charts to enable backyard astronomers and sky gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year's eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as detailing the phases of the Moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. To supplement all this is a variety of entertaining and informative articles, a feature for which the Yearbook of Astronomy is known. In the 2022 edition, the reader is presented with articles covering a wide range of topics including "A History of the Amateur Astronomical Society: 1962 to 2022"; "Expanding Cosmic Horizons"; "Frank Drake and His Equation"; "Remote Telescopes"; "Skies Over Ancient America" and others. The Yearbook of Astronomy continues to be essential reading for anyone lured and fascinated by the magic of astronomy. It remains an inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, and warrants a place on the bookshelf of all stargazers and watchers of the Universe.
Publisher: White Owl
ISBN: 9781526790057
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 352
Book Description
The Yearbook of Astronomy 2022 is the Diamond Jubilee edition of this iconic publication, the annual appearance of which has been eagerly anticipated by astronomers, both amateur and professional, ever since this invaluable book first appeared in 1962. As the preface to the 1962 edition informed its readers, the post-war years had seen a tremendous growth of interest in astronomy and space research. Doubtless fueled by the dawn of the Space Age, the launch of Sputnik 1 in October 1957 marked a significant change in the course of history. This epoch-making event, coupled with the subsequent flights of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (April 1961) and American astronaut Alan Shepard (May 1961), served to engender a public interest in astronomy and space that has continued to grow and expand to this day. Maintaining its appealing style and presentation, the Yearbook of Astronomy 2022 contains comprehensive jargon-free monthly sky notes and an authoritative set of sky charts to enable backyard astronomers and sky gazers everywhere to plan their viewing of the year's eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as detailing the phases of the Moon and visibility and locations of the planets throughout the year. To supplement all this is a variety of entertaining and informative articles, a feature for which the Yearbook of Astronomy is known. In the 2022 edition, the reader is presented with articles covering a wide range of topics including "A History of the Amateur Astronomical Society: 1962 to 2022"; "Expanding Cosmic Horizons"; "Frank Drake and His Equation"; "Remote Telescopes"; "Skies Over Ancient America" and others. The Yearbook of Astronomy continues to be essential reading for anyone lured and fascinated by the magic of astronomy. It remains an inspiration to amateur and professional astronomers alike, and warrants a place on the bookshelf of all stargazers and watchers of the Universe.
Rock Legends
Author: Paul Murdin
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319318365
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 212
Book Description
This book relates the history of asteroid discoveries and christenings, from those of the early pioneering giants of Hersehel and Piazzi to modern-day amateurs. Moving from history and anecdotal information to science, the book's structure is provided by the names of the asteroids, including one named after the author. Free from a need to conform to scientific naming conventions, the names evidence hero-worship, sycophancy, avarice, vanity, whimsy, erudition and wit, revealing the human side of astronomers, especially where controversy has followed the christening. Murdin draws from extensive historical records to explore the debate over these names. Each age reveals its own biases and preferences in the naming process. “/p> Originally regarded as “vermin of the skies,” asteroids are minor planets, rocky scraps left over from the formation of the larger planets, or broken fragments of worlds that have collided. Their scientific classification as “minor” planets makes them seem unimportant, but over the past decades asteroids have been acknowledged to be key players in the Solar System. This view of their starring role even alters the trajectories of spacecraft: NASA’s policy for new space missions en route to the outer planets is that they must divert to study passing asteroids whenever possible. This book provides for readers a complete tour of the fascinating world of asteroids.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319318365
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 212
Book Description
This book relates the history of asteroid discoveries and christenings, from those of the early pioneering giants of Hersehel and Piazzi to modern-day amateurs. Moving from history and anecdotal information to science, the book's structure is provided by the names of the asteroids, including one named after the author. Free from a need to conform to scientific naming conventions, the names evidence hero-worship, sycophancy, avarice, vanity, whimsy, erudition and wit, revealing the human side of astronomers, especially where controversy has followed the christening. Murdin draws from extensive historical records to explore the debate over these names. Each age reveals its own biases and preferences in the naming process. “/p> Originally regarded as “vermin of the skies,” asteroids are minor planets, rocky scraps left over from the formation of the larger planets, or broken fragments of worlds that have collided. Their scientific classification as “minor” planets makes them seem unimportant, but over the past decades asteroids have been acknowledged to be key players in the Solar System. This view of their starring role even alters the trajectories of spacecraft: NASA’s policy for new space missions en route to the outer planets is that they must divert to study passing asteroids whenever possible. This book provides for readers a complete tour of the fascinating world of asteroids.