In 1837 a comprehensive discussion of lightning appeared in the Annual of the French Bureau des Longitudes with a section on ball lightning which provided for the first time a readily available source in the scientific literature of the basic properties of this curious natural phenomenon. The author, Francois Arago, was the dominant influence in the French Academy of Sciences in the nineteenth century, having become a member of that august body at the age of twenty-three. His attention alo...

Best-selling guide for over 20 years and an essential companion for students taking chemistry courses of any level, this laminated six page guide is a must-have for reference throughout science courses as a serious study tool and quick refresher for the core concepts, terms, equations and periodic elements. Author and Harvard PhD, Mark D. Jackson, a scientist and university chemistry professor expertly streamlined the complicated subject of chemistry selecting the need-to-know answers for ...

This book introduces a brand new field of scientific research based upon analysis of artifacts retrieved from crashed and damaged UFOs that have come down in Russia and America. For the first time, it reveals the scientific principles behind UFO propulsion dynamics, and shows that these principles are known and recognized by today’s physicists. Potter’s analyses of these UFO mechanisms are substantiated with references to a broad array of over 300 research papers published in scientific jo...

Gravity is the most detectable physical phenomenon of the universe. Nothing or nobody can escape its grasp, even in very large, astronomical distances. It is manifested in many aspects of our lives. Yet we are still not really sure what carries it. The gradually increasing understanding of gravity throughout history and its observed effects in various physical fields are the subjects of this book. This is an enlightening read about one of the most misterious phenomena of our lives that is ...

Our Star, the Sun, whilst only a small star compared to some, is essential for life upon Earth. Despite all of the technologies that are available to us, many questions remain. Those that have been answered include: What is the Sun made of? How does the Sun generate its energy? What is the mechanism behind the Sun's magnetic field and why does it flip every 11 years? What are sunspots and why are they dark? All of these questions and m...

This book is the first of its kind devoted to the key role played by light and electromagnetic radiation in the universe. Readers are introduced to philosophical hypotheses such as the economy, symmetry and the universality of natural laws, and are then guided to practical consequences such as the rules of geometrical optics and even Einstein's well-known but mysterious relationship, E = mc2. Most chapters feature a pen picture of the life and character of a relevant scientific figure. The...

It is through images that we understand the form and function of material objects, from the fundamental particles that are the constituents of matter to galaxies that are the constituents of the Universe. Imaging must be thought of in a flexible way as varying from just the detection of objects — a blip on a screen representing an aircraft or a vapour trail representing the passage of an exotic particle — to displaying the fine detail in the eye of an insect or the arrangement of atoms wit...

Over the last 15 years or so there has been a huge increase in the popularity of astrophotography with the advent of digital SLR cameras and CCD imagers. These have enabled astronomers to take many images and, indeed, check images as they scan the skies. Processing techniques using computer software have also made ‘developing’ these images more accessible to those of us who are ‘chemically challenged!’ And let’s face it – some of the pictures you see these days in magazines, books, and on ...

An Introduction to Clouds provides a fundamental understanding of clouds, ranging from cloud microphysics to the large-scale impacts of clouds on climate. On the microscale, phase changes and ice nucleation are covered comprehensively, including aerosol particles and thermodynamics relevant for the formation of clouds and precipitation. At larger scales, cloud dynamics, mid-latitude storms and tropical cyclones are discussed leading to the role of clouds on the hydrological cycle and clima...

Radio telescopes have transformed our understanding of the Universe. Pulsars, quasars, Big Bang cosmology: all are discoveries of the new science of radio astronomy. Here, Francis Graham-Smith describes the birth, development, and maturity of radio astronomy, from the first discovery of cosmic radio waves to its present role as a major part of modern astronomy. Radio is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering infra-red, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma-rays, and Graham-...

More mind-bending fun in physicsThe sequel to the popular Mad About Physics, Mad About Modern Physics promises endless hours of entertaining, challenging fun. With detailed answers to hundreds of questions ("Are fluorescent lights dangerous to your health?", "What is a fuel cell?"), the book is also a treasure trove of fun science trivia. Featuring diagrams and illustrations throughout, this fascinating physics compendium will educate and captivate students, teachers, and science bu...

How did the Sun evolve, and what will it become? What is the origin of its light and heat? How does solar activity affect the atmospheric conditions that make life on Earth possible? These are the questions at the heart of solar physics, and at the core of this book. The Sun is the only star near enough to study in sufficient detail to provide rigorous tests of our theories and help us understand the more distant and exotic objects throughout the cosmos. Having observed the Sun using both ...