State of the Universe 2008: New Images, Discoveries, and Events (Springer Praxis Books Popular Astronomy)

The State of the Universe annuals provide an annual astronomy review suitable for the popular science-level reader. The 2008 annual covers the year’s astronomical news on topics beyond the Solar System, placing them in the context of the longer-term goals of astronomers and astrophysicists around the world. The book also includes web links for all major news stories, providing a bridge between the public news stories and the actual research web sites. Cover......Page 1 State of the Universe 2008: New Images, Discoveries, and Events......Page 4 9780387716749......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 1 A Year in News.........Page 11 ...and Pictures: April 2006 March 2007 by Martin Ratcliffe......Page 12 2 Astronomers Gather in Seattle.........Page 89 ...The 209th American Astronomical Society Meeting by Martin Ratcliffe......Page 90 3 The State of the Universe.........Page 99 ...New Steps in Expanding Our Knowledge by James Kaler......Page 100 4 High-Stakes Astronomy at Low Frequencies.........Page 107 ...Opening Up a New Wavelength Frontier by Carolyn Collins Petersen......Page 108 5 Where Do All the Stars Come From?.........Page 115 ...New Views of Star Formation with the Spitzer Space Telescope by Luisa Rebull and Stephen Strom......Page 116 6 Chips off the Planetary Block.........Page 125 ...Building Planetary Debris Disks by James Graham and Paul Kalas......Page 126 7 High-Energy Vision.........Page 133 ...The Chandra X-ray Observatory by Wallace Tucker......Page 134 8 Surfing Long Waves of the Universe.........Page 141 ...The National Radio Astronomy Observatory in the 21st Century by David Finley......Page 142 9 Through the Eyes of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.........Page 151 ...Probing Deeper into the Milky Way Galaxy by Timothy Beers......Page 152 10 Reinventing the Hubble Space Telescope.........Page 159 ...The Next Hubble Servicing Mission by J. Chris Blades......Page 160 11 The History and Future of Telescopes.........Page 169 ...400 Years from Galileo to Keck and Beyond by Jerry Nelson......Page 170 12 Chasing a Runaway Universe.........Page 179 ...Dark Energy and the Accelerating Universeby Alex Filippenko......Page 180

the Aim Of The State Of The Universe Annuals Is To Provide An Annual Astronomy Review Suitable For The Popular Science Level Reader To Be Published Every September In A Format That Will Be Suitable For, And Appeal To, The Christmas Market. The Book Will Cover All Major Astronomical News On Topics Beyond The Solar System And Place Them In The Context Of The Longer Term Goals Of Astronomers And Astrophysicists Around The World. The Aim Is To Capture The Excitement And Vibrancy Of Modern Astronomical Research. This Section Also Includes Web Links For All Major News Stories, Providing A Bridge Between The Public News Stories And The Actual Research Web Sites.

chapter 1 – ‘a Year In News And Pictures’, Written By Martin Ratcliffe, Appears Every Year And Makes Up The First Half Of The Annual. It Will Present Brief Summaries Of The Major Announcements, Discoveries And News Items From That Year, With The Major Ones Being Explained In Detail Through Later Chapters Written By Invited Contributors Who Are At The Forefront Of Research In These Fields. The January Meeting Of The American Astronomical Society Each Year Will Be The Major Source Of Astronomical News For The Following Year’s Volume, Giving Access To Potential Authors And Contacts With Public Information Officers Of Major Observatories, Space Centers, Etc.

the Invited Contributions Which Make Up The Second Half Of The Annual Each Year Will Cover A Variety Of Topics And Are Written To Appeal To A Wide Readership. These Are Written By Leading Astronomers Or Science Writers. One Feature Introduced In The First Volume, The Overall Review Of The State Of The Universe By Dr Jim Kaler Will Be Retained For State Of The Universe 2008. The Set Of Appendices At The End Of The Book Will Include A List Of Launches Of Major Astronomical Observatories/satellites During The Past Year; A List Of Planned Future Astronomical Satellites; Basic Data On All Astronomical Observatories Currently In Operation With Web Links For The Reader Who Wishes To Find Out More.

The aim of the State of the Universe annuals is to provide an annual astronomy review suitable for the popular science level reader to be published every September in a format that will be suitable for, and appeal to, the Christmas market. The book will cover all major astronomical news on topics beyond the Solar System and place them in the context of the longer term goals of astronomers and astrophysicists around the world. The aim is to capture the excitement and vibrancy of modern astronomical research. This section also includes web links for all major news stories, providing a bridge between the public news stories and the actual research web sites. Chapter 1A Year in News and Pictures, written by Martin Ratcliffe, appears every year and makes up the first half of the annual. It will present brief summaries of the major announcements, discoveries and news items from that year, with the major ones being explained in detail through later chapters written by invited contributors who are at the forefront of research in these fields. The January meeting of the American Astronomical Society each year will be the major source of astronomical news for the following years volume, giving access to potential authors and contacts with public information officers of major observatories, space centers, etc. The invited contributions which make up the second half of the annual each year will cover a variety of topics and are written to appeal to a wide readership. These are written by leading astronomers or science writers. One feature introduced in the first volume, the overall review of the State of the Universe by Dr Jim Kaler will be retained for State of the Universe 2008. The set of appendices at the end of the book will include a list of launches of major astronomical observatories/satellites during the past year; a list of planned future astronomical satellites; basic data on all astronomical observatories currently in operation with web links for the reader who wishes to find out more.