Fascinating developments in the understanding of our origins, of the early beginnings of the Universe, of how planets are formed, and how stars live out their lives and die occur every month. Each new result adds a tiny piece to the jigsaw puzzle, leading the way to a fuller and more complete understanding of the Universe around us. Rarely are such details offered in one place – until now. State of the Universe 2007 fills the gap between research and everyday news.
State of the Universe 2007 by Martin Ratcliffe provides an astronomy review suitable for the popular science level reader. The first annual in a new series, this book covers all major astronomical news on topics beyond the Solar System and places them in the context of the longer term goals of astronomers and astrophysicists. The aim is to capture the excitement and vibrancy of modern astronomical research.
Ratcliffe presents a complete list of the major announcements, discoveries and news items from each year. The January meeting of the American Astronomical Society each year will be the major source of astronomical news for the following year's volume. The regular features include an annual chronological list of the latest discoveries announced during the previous twelve months, a review of the major news stories of the year with the main characters, a list of launches of major astronomical observatories/satellites during the past year, and much more. The latest from the BadAstronomy website by Dr. Phil Plait is also included.
Martin Ratcliffe is a regular contributor to Astronomy Now and Astronomy magazine and is the author of Night Sky Deck, a kit for stargazers. He has served as Planetarium Director of Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh, USA and is currently director of the Boeing CyberDome Theater in Wichita, USA. He writes and produces planetarium shows for general public. He has worked as a consultant for various TV series, filmed two total eclipses of the Sun, and maintains an extensive contact network with public information and press officers of all US national observatories and NASA astronomical centers.
Martin Ratcliffe
State of the Universe 2007
New Images, Discoveries and Events
Springer 2007, 193 pp., approx. 167 color illus.
Hardcover, EUR 24.95, £15.50, $29.95, sFr 41.00
ISBN: 978-0-387-34178-1