Astronomy at the Frontiers of Science

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxi

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2. Astronomy and Physics

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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3. ASTRONOMY AND PHYSICS

   1. The Universe as a Laboratory for High-Energy Physics

      • Guillaume Dubus

      Pages 3-20

   2. Standard Candles in Astronomy

      • Paolo A. Mazzali

      Pages 21-42

   3. High Energy Cosmic Ray and Neutrino Astronomy

      • Eli Waxman

      Pages 43-68

   4. Interdisciplinary Aspects of High-Energy Astrophysics

      • Günter Sigl

      Pages 69-85

   5. Gravitational Wave Astronomy

      • Alessandra Buonanno

      Pages 87-106

4. Astronomy in Society

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 107-107

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5. ASTRONOMY IN SOCIETY

   1. A History of Observatory Sciences and Techniques

      • David Aubin

      Pages 109-121

   2. Astronomy and Technical Progress

      • James Lequeux, Laurent Vigroux

      Pages 123-136

   3. Up the Decade! Predictions, Prescriptions, and International Collaborations by the American Astronomical (and Other) Communities

      • Virginia Trimble

      Pages 137-157

   4. Building a Strong, Unified European Astronomy

      • Johannes Andersen

      Pages 159-172

   5. The Future of Space Astronomy

      • Fabienne Casoli

      Pages 173-187

6. The Tools of Observation and the Profession of Astronomer

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 189-189

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7. THE TOOLS OF OBSERVATION AND THE PROFESSION OF ASTRONOMER

   1. Small Telescopes and Planets

      • Andrzej Udalski

      Pages 191-208

   2. Large and Very Large Telescopes

      • Phil Charles

      Pages 209-227

   3. The Challenge of Optics in Future Extremely Large Telescopes

      • Eric Ruch

      Pages 229-241

   4. Virtual Observations

      • Mark G. Allen

      Pages 243-258

   5. Doing Astronomy at a Museum

      • Michael Shara

      Pages 259-266

   6. Being an Astronomer: A Testimony

      • Bernard Fort

      Pages 267-281

Astronomy is by nature an interdisciplinary activity: it involves mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Astronomers use (and often develop) the latest technology, the fastest computers and the most refined software. In this book twenty-two leading scientists from nine countries talk about how astronomy interacts with these other sciences. They describe modern instruments used in astronomy and the relations between astronomy and technology, industry, politics and philosophy. They also discuss what it means to be an astronomer, the history of astronomy, and the place of astronomy in society today.

• Astrobiology
• Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology
• Astronomy, Observation and Techniques
• Extraterrestrial Physics
• Space Sciences

From the reviews:

“Lasota (Paris Institute of Astrophysics, France) has compiled a very eclectic and engaging mix of essays on astronomy-related topics. … This is a unique book that fills a niche rarely addressed by other works. … anyone with an interest in astronomy will find it a good read. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries.” (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 49 (9), May, 2012)

Aus den Rezensionen:

 “... Ein Buch über Interdisziplinarität regt dazu an, selbst interdisziplinärer zu denken. Wer bereit ist, diesen mühsamen Weg zu gehen und sich nicht nur für astronomische Ergebnisse, sondern auch für die Astronomie und ihre Vernetzungen selbst interessiert, sollte dieses Buch lesen. Es lohnt sich.“ (MIRCO SANER, in: Sterne und Weltraum, 2012, Issue 6, S. 104 f.)

• Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, Paris, France

  Jean-Pierre Lasota

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