Science

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is one of the oldest functional materials reported in literature and has recently had a renaissance as researchers explore the breadth of its functionality. This book explores this active material from its history, structure, preparation, catalytic activity, and applications. This fundamental text is an ideal introduction to this fascinating material and gives a holistic overview of its preparation and potential.

Von chemischen und mikrobiologischen Grundlagen bis zu Anwendungen im Bergbau und der industriellen Synthese von Nanopartikeln fasst dieses zweibändige Lehrbuch zum ersten Mal die Gesamtheit der Geomikrobiologie für den Studenten zusammen.

Dieser zweite Teil befasst sich mit Methoden für industrielle Anwendungen, Urban Mining, der Skalierung, sowie speziellen Anwendungen.

This new edition of our 2016 book provides insight into designing intelligent materials and structures for special application in engineering. Literature is updated throughout and a new chapter on optics fibers has been added. The book discusses simulation and experimental determination of physical material properties, such as piezoelectric effects, shape memory, electro-rheology, and distributed control for vibrations minimization.

The second edition of this book presents the fundamentals of chemistry in light of their importance for the environment and environmental processes. The new edition includes updated references and a more practical approach to the topic. The comprehensive discussion is structured in three parts: introducing the theory of physical chemistry, evaluating elements and compounds, and presenting principles of environmental chemistry.

The Moon: A fascinating celestial body

• All about the Moon – concise explanations of various phenomena related to the Moon
• Mathematics and geometry, conveyed in an understandable and engaging way
• With numerous large-format photographs and illustrations

Faszination Mond

Der Mond übt seit jeher eine große Faszination auf uns aus – und das nicht nur am Nachthimmel. Mit seiner komplexen Umlaufbahn ist er der Erde näher als jeder andere Himmelskörper, und bereits die alten Babylonier untersuchten den Mond und sein Wechselspiel mit Planeten und Sternbildern.

Die Ähnlichkeiten und Unterschiede zu anderen Planeten und ihren Monden, die Wechselwirkungen des Mondes mit der Sonne und der Erde, interessante historische Zusammenhänge – all das wird in diesem Buch in präzisen Texten dargestellt und anhand von Fotos und Computersimulationen illustriert und erläutert.

Mondsüchtig ist als Bilderbuch für astronomisch Interessierte konzipiert und enthält neben wissenschaftlich fundierten Texten zahlreiche großformatige Fotografien und Grafiken, die das Phänomen Mond anschaulich vermitteln.

Now with a full-color insert and thoroughly revised, this perennial bestseller is the most comprehensive and successful beginner's astronomy books in the market. 
"One of the best ways by which one can be introduced to the wonders of astronomy." —The Strolling Astronomer 
For a generation, Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide has introduced hundreds of thousands of readers worldwide to the night sky. Now this classic beginner's guide has been completely revised to bring it up to date with the latest discoveries. Updated with the latest, most accurate information, new online resources, and more than 100 new graphics and photos, this Eighth Edition features:

Website addresses throughout for the best color images and astronomy resources online

Technical ideas made simple without mathematics

A beautiful updated full-color, glossy insert with spectacular images

An interactive format with learning goals, reviews, self-tests, and answers for fast learning

Discover the celestial myths and cosmic rituals of ancient priests and kings . . .
Drawing on intimate knowledge of the more than 1,300 ancient sites he has visited, E. C. Krupp, acclaimed writer and preeminent researcher, takes you to the world's essential sacred places and celestial shrines. Join him on a rich narrative journey to see where the rulers of old communed with the gods of the sky.
""Highly recommended to everyone interested in the culture of astronomy and those peoples who practiced it in their own ways.""-Sky & Telescope
""A lively account of the ways in which our ancestors conceived of and used the heavens.""-New Scientist
""There can be no doubt that this imaginative and readable work by a widely read and widely traveled author will strike a chord in the minds of a great many modern readers.""-Isis
""The fact that the book is written by an expert in his field comes through on every page, as does his enthusiasm for the subject.""-Astronomy Now
""Krupp's indispensable volume is fascinating, well-illustrated, and covers much territory.""-Parabola

This comprehensive work takes you on a personal tour of the universe using nothing more than a pair of binoculars. More comprehensive than any book currently available, it starts with Earth's nearest neighbor, the moon, and then goes on to explore each planet in the solar system, asteroids, meteors, comets and the sun. Following this, the reader is whisked away into deep space to explore celestial bodies including stars that are known and many sights less familiar. The final chapter includes a detailed atlas of deep-sky objects visible through binoculars. The appendices include guidance on how to buy, care for and maintain astronomical binoculars, tips and hints on using them, and detailed information on several home-made binocular mounts.

The ultimate guide to the final frontier
This alphabetical tour of the universe provides all the history, science, and up-to-the-minute facts needed to explore the skies with authority. Packed with more than 3,000 entries that cover everything from major observatories and space telescopes to biographies of astronomers throughout the ages, it showcases an extraordinary array of newfound wonders, including microquasars, brown dwarfs, and dark energy, as well as a host of individual comets, asteroids, moons, planets, stars, nebulas, and galaxies. Featuring nearly 200 illustrations and eight pages of color photographs, this comprehensive guide provides easy lookup of topics and offers more in-depth information than can be found in existing star guides or astronomy dictionaries. It's an ideal resource for the amateur astronomer or anyone with an interest in the mysteries of the cosmos.
David Darling, PhD (Brainerd, MN), is the author of The Complete Book of Spaceflight (0-471-05649-9) and Equations of Eternity, a New York Times Notable Book.

This new edition of the critically acclaimed Scientific Companion offers a comprehensive introduction to the physical sciences: physics, astronomy, chemistry, geology, meteorology, biology, atmospheric science, and oceanography. Emiliani traces the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang to the present, explaining the nature of the galaxy, the Earth, inorganic and organic matter, and the development of scientific thought. More than 50 new illustrations appear throughout - from stunning aerial shots of Earth's topography to striking close-ups of the moon provided by NASA. Hundreds of additional photos, charts, maps, and diagrams, plus 35 tables of the most essential facts, figures, and formulas - from Planck's constant to the laws of thermodynamics, from quantum energy levels to Avogadro's number - make The Scientific Companion an ideal desktop reference. Written for the layperson, sufficiently detailed for students, it is the only book of its kind to bridge the gap between works of popular science and college textbooks.

Your Passport to the Universe

The night sky is alive with many wonders—distant planets, vast star clusters, glowing nebulae, and expansive galaxies, all waiting to be explored. Let respected astronomy writer Philip Harrington introduce you to the universe in Star Watch, a complete beginner's guide to locating, observing, and understanding these celestial objects. You'll start by identifying the surface features of the Moon, the banded cloud tops of Jupiter, the stunning rings of Saturn, and other members of our solar system. Then you'll venture out beyond our solar system, where you'll learn tips and tricks for finding outstanding deep-sky objects from stars to galaxies, including the entire Messier catalog—a primary goal of every serious beginner.

Star Watch features a detailed physical description of each target, including size, distance, and structure, as well as concise directions for locating the objects, handy finder charts, hints on the best times to view each object, and descriptions of what you'll really see through a small telescope or binoculars and with the naked eye.

Star Watch will transport you to the farthest depths of space—and return you as a well-traveled, experienced stargazer.

From the longest running column in Scientific American's history comes this collection of fascinating projects for amateur astronomers
For over seventy years, "The Amateur Scientist" column in Scientific American has helped people explore their world and make original discoveries. This collection of both classic and recent articles presents projects for amateur astronomers at all levels. Hands-on astronomy fans will find how to build inexpensive astronomical instruments using ordinary shop-tools. From making a telescope to predicting satellite orbits to detecting the chemical composition of faraway stars, this book has something for everyone interested in practical astronomy.

"Fred Schaaf is one of the most experienced astronomical observers of our time. For more than two decades, his view of the sky-what will be visible, when it will be visible, and what it will look like-has encouraged tens of thousands of people to turn their eyes skyward."
—David H. Levy, Science Editor, Parade magazine, discoverer of twenty-one comets, and author of Starry Night and Cosmic Discoveries

"Fred Schaaf is a poet of the stars. He brings the sky into people's lives in a way that is compelling and his descriptions have all the impact of witnessing the stars on a crystal-clear dark night."
—William Sheehan, coauthor of Mars: The Lure of the Red Planet and The Transits of Venus

In this book, you’ll meet the twenty-one brightest stars visible from Earth. You’ll learn how to find these stars and discover the best ways to see them. Each star is profiled in a separate chapter, with detailed guidance on what to look for while observing it. Suitable for beginners as well as experienced amateur astronomers, the book shares fascinating information about the lore and legends connected with each star through history, as well as what the science of astronomy has to teach us about the star’s physical nature.

Fred Schaaf is one of the most experienced astronomical observers of our time. For more than two decades, his view of the sky--what will be visible, when it will be visible, and what it will look like--has encouraged tens of thousands of people to turn their eyes skyward.
--David H. Levy, Science Editor, Parade magazine, discoverer of twenty-one comets, and author of Starry Night and Cosmic Discoveries

""Fred Schaaf is a poet of the stars. He brings the sky into people's lives in a way that is compelling, and his descriptions have all the impact of witnessing the stars on a crystal clear dark night.""
--William Sheehan, coauthor of Mars: The Lure of the Red Planet and The Transits of Venus

The night sky holds endless fascination for anyone who chooses simply to look up and observe, but with so much to see, it can be difficult to know where to start. This remarkable book introduces you to the fifty best sights in astronomy and tells you exactly how to see them. In no time at all, you will learn how to find and appreciate the Orion group of constellations; the Summer Triangle; Venus, Jupiter, and Mars; the best meteor showers; man-made satellites; star clusters; novae; variable stars; and more.

The sights are presented according to the field of view necessary to see them. Your eyes and a clear night sky are all you need to view the sights in the first part of the book, before moving on to those that can be observed through binoculars and, finally, a telescope. Concise descriptions and explanations of these spectacular visual wonders will deepen your appreciation of them and spur further exploration. You will also find the essential basic information on astronomical observation you need to get started, including observing conditions, techniques, telescopes, and astronomical measurements.

Once you start gazing, you'll see that the sky really is the limit--and discovering its amazing treasures will become your lifetime passion.

Whether you're shopping for your first telescope or your fifth, don't be surprised if you feel overwhelmed by the dazzling array of product choices, bells and whistles, and the literature that describes them all. That's why you need Star Ware.

In this revised and updated Fourth Edition of the essential guide to comparing and selecting sky-watching equipment, award-winning astronomy writer Philip Harrington takes you telescope shopping the easy way. He analyzes and explains today's astronomy market and compares brands and models point by point. Star Ware gives you the confidence you need to buy the telescope and accessories that are right for you and the knowledge to get the most out of your new purchase, with:

• Extensive, expanded reviews of leading models and accessories-including dozens of new products
• A clear, step-by-step guide to every aspect of selecting telescopes, binoculars, filters, mounts, lenses, cameras, film, star charts, guides and references, and much more
• Ten new do-it-yourself projects for building your own astronomical equipment
• Easy tips on setting up, using, and caring for telescopes and other astronomical equipment
• Lists of where to find everything astronomical, including websites and resources; distributors, dealers, and conventions; and corporate listings for products and services

Explore the night skies with this beautiful illustrated monthly guide to the stars and planets which is designed for naked-eye astronomy – perfect for both enthusiasts and beginners.

This large-format almanac allows you to step outside and track the planets, locate the Milky Way, recognise the constellations of the zodiac and watch meteor showers.

The Stargazers' Almanac 2024:

A perennially popular Christmas gift – and one which lasts the whole year round

Features two views of the night sky for each month, looking north and south, and a visual guide to the phases of the moon and the movements of the planets

Suitable for astronomy enthusiasts throughout the Northern Hemisphere's temperate (non-tropical) latitudes

Printed on sustainably sourced FSC paper using plant-based inks which reduces chemical emissions and makes it easier to recycle

Features a loop and eyelet for easy wall hanging and presented in a sturdy cardboard gift envelope – no shrink wrap!

Explore the night skies with this beautiful illustrated monthly guide to the stars and planets.

This large-format almanac allows you to step outside and track the planets, locate the Milky Way, recognise the constellations of the zodiac and watch meteor showers.

Stargazers' Almanac 2022 is a beautiful month-by-month guide to the night skies. It's designed specifically for naked-eye astronomy – no telescope required! – making it ideal for beginners, children and backyard astronomers. It is a perennially popular holiday gift – and one which lasts the whole year round.

Each monthly chart features two views of the night sky, looking north and south, and a visual guide to the phases of the moon and the movements of the planets.

Stargazers' Almanac 2021 also features:

Advice on how to navigate the night sky

Overhead reference map of the sky

Reference plan of constellations

Glossary of constellations and Latin names

Glossary of brightness of stars

Guide to the signs of the zodiac and how they relate to the stars

Loop and eyelet for easy wall hanging; presented in a sturdy cardboard gift envelope

Suitable for astronomy enthusiasts throughout the Northern Hemisphere's temperate (non-tropical) latitudes.

A beautiful illustrated monthly guide to exploring the stars and planets without a telescope.

Explore the night skies with this beautiful illustrated monthly guide to the stars and planets.

This large-format almanac allows you to step outside and track the planets, locate the Milky Way, recognise the constellations of the zodiac and watch meteor showers.

Stargazers' Almanac 2023 is a beautiful month-by-month guide to the night skies. It's designed specifically for naked-eye astronomy -- no telescope required! -- making it ideal for beginners, children and backyard astronomers. It is a perennially popular Christmas gift -- and one which lasts the whole year round.

Each monthly chart features two views of the night sky, looking north and south, and a visual guide to the phases of the moon and the movements of the planets.

Stargazers' Almanac 2023 also features:

Advice on how to navigate the night sky

Overhead reference map of the sky

Reference plan of constellations

Glossary of constellations and Latin names

Glossary of brightness of stars

Guide to the signs of the zodiac and how they relate to the stars

Loop and eyelet for easy wall hanging; presented in a sturdy cardboard gift envelope

Suitable for astronomy enthusiasts throughout the Northern Hemisphere's temperate (non-tropical) latitudes.

This is a comprehensive guide to the basic movements we can observe in the sky. Schultz describes the daily movement of the stars from different parts of the earth (including southern hemisphere throughout). Included are the sun's pattern of the day and of the year, the moon's various periods, nodes and eclipses, as well as the planets' apparent movement and loops, conjunctions and transits.

The appendix contains tables of periods and rhythms, and a guide to important occurrences to the year 2010.

This book offers a comprehensive examination of the transmission of Arabic scientific knowledge, especially in astronomy and astrology, to Latin-speaking Europe. This bibliography aims to present existing translations, manuscripts, and printed editions of significant Arabic works and outlines the progress and remaining gaps in understanding how medieval scholars engaged with and interpreted Arabic science.

The work draws on foundational efforts, including Sarton's Introduction to the History of Science, Thorndike’s History of Magic and Experimental Science, and Brockelmann’s bibliographies, extending these by closely analyzing manuscripts and translations that were pivotal in the transmission of astronomical and astrological knowledge. The bibliography meticulously classifies texts by author, noting multiple versions and sometimes contested attributions, while providing details such as incipits, explicits, and dedications to aid identification and comparison.

Focusing on Latin translations, the work underscores how figures like Gerard of Cremona and John of Seville contributed to medieval scholarship by rendering Arabic texts accessible, often improving on or modifying the originals to fit Western scholastic paradigms. It addresses critical methodological concerns, such as inconsistencies in manuscript catalogs and the challenges posed by anonymous or erroneously attributed works. Ultimately, this bibliography serves as a valuable tool for further research, laying groundwork for future philological studies on the evolution of scientific thought from the Islamic world to medieval Europe.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1955.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1965.

With unparalleled access to NASA’s archives, this stunning volume pays tribute to 50 years of Mars exploration.

Thanks to the latest exhilarating Mars expeditions, all eyes have turned to the once-mysterious red planet. This illuminating book traces our history of Mars exploration, from the earliest telescopic viewings, through NASA’s first flybys in the 1960s, to the landers in the 1970s, and the increasingly sophisticated rovers and orbiters now exploring every region of the planet. 

The elaborate plans for the human exploration of Mars are also shown in exquisite detail, including NASA’s ambitious designs for crewed missions and some compelling alternative mission plans by experts such as Buzz Aldrin. With breathtaking photographs and rare images of plans, maps, schematics, and more, including insider documents from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the story of mankind’s fascination with Mars jumps off the page.

One of the great paradoxes of modern times is that the more scientists understand the natural world, the more we discover that our everyday beliefs about it are wrong. Astronomy, in particular, is one of the most misunderstood scientific disciplines.

With the participation of thousands of undergraduate students, Neil F. Comins has identified and classified, by origin and topic, over 1,700 commonly held misconceptions. Heavenly Errors provides access to all of them and explores many, including:

• Black holes suck in everything around them.

• The Sun shines by burning gas.

• Comets have tails trailing behind them.

• The Moon alone causes tides.

• Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, is the hottest planet.

In the course of correcting these errors, he explains that some occur through the prevalence of pseudosciences such as astrology and UFO-logy and some enter the public conscience through the "bad astronomy" of Star Trek, Star Wars, and other science-fiction movies.. Perhaps most important, Professor Comins presents the reader with the methods for identifying and replacing incorrect ideas—tools with which to probe erroneous notions so that we can begin to question for ourselves... and to think more like scientists.

Herbert Hall Turner (1861-1930) was a prominent and vibrant figure in astronomy, whose career was defined by his role as the Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford, a position he held from 1894 until his death. His appointment coincided with Oxford's commitment to the Astrographic Catalogue, a massive international project aimed at mapping the positions of stars using photography. Turner dedicated his exceptional energy and organizational talent to this task, completing the Oxford zone ahead of all others. At the time, photographic star mapping was a pioneering field, offering Turner the chance to contribute significant methodological advancements, such as the development of standard coordinate reductions for photographic plates.

Turner’s intellectual curiosity extended beyond the Astrographic Catalogue, leading to research in areas like variable stars, lunar topography, and seismology. He also gained renown for his long-running column "From an Oxford Note Book" in The Observatory magazine, a witty and insightful commentary on astronomical developments that ran for 36 years. His book Astronomical Discovery delves into key milestones of 18th- and 19th-century astronomy, blending technical analysis with engaging narrative. Turner explores discoveries ranging from Neptune’s orbit to his own serendipitous identification of Nova Geminorum in 1903. Drawing from original records, his accounts reflect both historical depth and his dynamic personality, making the work enduringly compelling despite the field's subsequent advancements.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1963.

Over 4.5 billion years, Earth’s climate has transformed tremendously. Before our more temperate recent past, the planet swung from one extreme to another—from a greenhouse world of sweltering temperatures and high sea levels to a “snowball earth” in which glaciers reached the equator. During this history, we now know, living things and the climate have always influenced and even shaped each other. But the climate has never changed as rapidly or as drastically as it has since the Industrial Revolution.

In this lively and entertaining book, Donald R. Prothero explores the astonishing connections between climate and life through the ages, telling the remarkable stories of the scientists who made crucial discoveries. Journeying through the intertwined evolution of climate and life, he tackles questions such as: Why do we have phytoplankton to thank for the air we breathe? What kind of climate was necessary for the rise of the dinosaurs—or the mammals, their successors? When and how have climatic changes caused mass extinctions? Prothero concludes with the Ice Ages and the Holocene, the role of climate in human history, and the perils of anthropogenic climate change. Understanding why the climate has changed in the past, this timely book shows, is essential to grasping the gravity of how radically human activity is altering the climate today.