Advances in Astronomy : From the Big Bang to the Solar System

by Thompson, J. M. T.

• ISBN13: 9781860945779
• ISBN10: 1860945775
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-12-30
• Publisher: World Scientific Pub Co Inc

Summary

This book outlines the advances currently being made by world-wide researchers in the field of Astronomy. Areas covered include: cosmology and the big bang; the formation and evolution of the stars and galaxies; cold dark matter; gamma-ray bursts; latest WMAP results; man's exploration of the solar system; explosive sun-spot events, and their influence on the earth's climate; telescopes. Leading scientists from around the world, give a general overview of research advances in their subject area. They also describe some of their own cutting-edge research and give their visions of the future. Re-written in a popular and well illustrated style, the articles are mainly derived from scholarly and authoritative papers published in special Issues of the Royal Society's Philosophical Transactions (used by Newton, this is the world's longest running scientific journal). Carefully selected by the Journal's Editor, Professor J M T Thompson FRS, topics include the big bang creation of the universe and man's exploration of the solar system. The book conveys the excitement and enthusiasm of the authors for their work at the frontiers of Astronomy. All are definite reviews for people with a general interest in the future directions of science. The book includes a Foreword by John Barrow. Readership: Research scientists, academics, graduates and post-graduates, scientifically minded school children and general readers.

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Preface	xi
Cosmology and the Big Bang	1	(96)
1. Thirteen Billion Years in Half an Hour	3	(16)
Bruce A. Bassett
2. The Paradigm of Inflation	19	(22)
J. Garcia-Bellido
3. Cosmology with Varying Constants	41	(18)
C.J.A.P. Martins
4. Small Scales, Big Issues for Cold Dark Matter	59	(18)
Andrew J. Benson
5. Violence and Black Holes in the Hearts of Galaxies	77	(20)
Carole G. Mundell
Probing the Universe	97	(110)
6. First Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe Results: Implications for Cosmology and Inflation	99	(24)
Hiranya Peiris
7. Quest for Gravitational Waves	123	(20)
B.S. Sathyaprakash
8. Strong-Field Tests of Relativistic Gravity with Pulsars	143	(24)
Michael Kramer
9. Gamma-Ray Bursts as Cosmological Probes	167	(18)
Nial R. Tanvir
10. New Radio Interferometers and Data Access: Investigations of Star Formation	185	(22)
A.M.S. Richards and R.A. Laing
Stars and Conditions for Life	207	(96)
11. Gamma-Ray Bursts	209	(18)
Davide Lazzati
12. Astrophysical Dust	227	(18)
Malcolm Gray
13. The Astrophysics of Crowded Places	245	(18)
Melvyn Davies
14. Astrochemistry: From Molecular Clouds to Planetary Systems	263	(18)
Andrew Markwick
15. Extrasolar Planets	281	(22)
Hugh R.A. Jones and James S. Jenkins
Solar System and Climate Change	303	(110)
16. Our Solar System	305	(26)
Andrew Coates
17. Planetary Upper Atmospheres	331	(24)
Ingo Müller-Wodarg
18. The Solar Dynamo	355	(20)
Steven Tobias
19. Explosions on the Sun	375	(16)
Louise K. Harra
20. Solar Variability, Coupling between Atmospheric Layers and Climate Change	391	(22)
Neil Arnold
Index	413