Introduction to Space Science
New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1971. First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. xvii, [1], 556, [2] pages. Illustrations (Figures and Tables). Formulae. This is one of the Space Science Text series. Name and date in ink on fep Includes chapters on Celestial Coordinates and Time; Celestial Mechanics; The Earth's Atmosphere; The Other Planets and Their Atmospheres; Airglow; The Aurora; Van Allen Radiation; Planetary Interiors; Planetary Magnetism; Comets, Meteors, and the Interplanetary Medium; Introduction to Stellar Structure; The Evolution of Stars; Cosmic Rays; Radio Astronomy; Exotic Astronomy; and Cosmology. Includes Appendix A The Orbital Elements; Appendix B Orbit Computation and Coordinate Transformation; Appendix C Particle Physics; and Appendix D Electrodynamic Orbit Theory. There is a Bibliography and an Index. Space science encompasses all of the scientific disciplines that involve space exploration and study natural phenomena and physical bodies occurring in outer space, such as space medicine and astrobiology. The author earned his degrees at New York University and then his career steps included: Assistant Professor of Physics, NYU, 1959-1962; Resident Research Appointee, J.P.L., 1962-1964; Assistant Professor of Space Science, Rice University, 1964-1966; Associate Professor of Space Science, Rice University, 1966-1972; Professor of Physics & Astronomy, Rice University, 1972-1998; Chief Scientist, Astrophysics Division, NASA Headquarters, 1988-1990; Professor Emeritas, Rice University, 1998-Present. This is a fascinating snapshot in time, approximately half a century before this item is being catalogued, that presents what was the state of knowledge, state of practice, state of the art, and state of education and training at the time. It is an important baseline for use in understanding how new information and discoveries were understood and interpreted at that point in time. Space science makes us look outwards from our planet, to the stars and beyond. It’s a subject that strives to answer the ultimate questions: How did our Earth and our Solar System form and evolve? What is our place in the Universe? Where are we going? Where did life come from, and are we alone? By studying the other planets in our own Solar System, we can try to place Earth in context. ESA has already sent spacecraft to Earth’s nearest planetary neighbors – Mars and Venus – to understand why they evolved so differently, and in the next decade we’ll be unlocking the secrets of the innermost planet, Mercury, too. The gas giants, and in particular Jupiter with its four large moons – some of which may harbor underground oceans – is also key to piece together the Solar System evolution. Unraveling the behavior of our parent star, the Sun, is another crucial element to decipher our cosmic origins. And as more and more planets are found orbiting other stars, understanding our own cosmic neighborhood has never been so important. What about the origin of the Universe itself? If we could ‘see’ microwaves, the night sky would glow with the very first light ever released into space. This is the relic radiation of the Big Bang – the event that set the beginning to the Universe itself. With our space science missions we can tease out the details of the Universe’s earliest moments, seek out the very first stars and galaxies, and learn about the fabric of space and time. These incredible space observatories can also give us clues as to the future destiny of our Milky Way galaxy, and the Universe itself. Condition: Very good.
Keywords: Celestial Coordinates, Celestial Mechanics, Atmosphere, Airglow, Aurora; Van Allen Radiation, Planetary Interiors, Planetary Magnetism, Comets, Meteors, Interplanetary Medium, Stellar Structure, Stars; Cosmic Rays, Radio Astronomy, Cosmology
ISBN: 0471365009
[Book #84050]
Price: $50.00