Visions of the Future: Astronomy and Earth Science

Leading young scientists, many holding prestigious Royal Society Research Fellowships, describe their research and give their visions of the future. Re-written in a popular and well illustrated style, the articles are derived from scholarly and authoritative papers published in a special Millennium Issue of the Royal Society’s Philosophical Transactions (used by Newton, this is the world’s longest running scientific journal). Carefully selected by the journal’s editor, Professor J. M. T. Thompson FRS, topics include the big bang creation of the universe; man’s exploration of the solar system; Earth’s deep interior; current scientific ideas about global warming and climate change. The book conveys the excitement and enthusiasm of the young authors for their work in Astronomy and Earth Science. Two companion books cover Physics and Electronics, and Chemistry and Life Science. All are definitive reviews for anyone with a general interest in the future directions of science.

Spis treści:
Preface J. M. T. Thompson
Part I. Creation and History of the Universe
1. Big Bang riddles and their revelations Joao Magueijo and Kim Baskerville
2. The origin of structure in the universe Jaun Garcia-Bellido
3. The dark side of the universe Ben Moore
Part II. Exploring the Stars and Planets
4. The hottest spots in space? Malcolm Gray
5. Our solar system and beyond in the new millennium Andrew J. Coates
6. Unveiling the face of the Moon Sarah K. Dunkin and David J. Heather
Part III. Understanding Planet Earth
7. The Earths deep interior Lidunka Vocadlo and David Dobson
8. Three-dimensional imaging of a dynamic Earth Lidia Lonergan and Nicky White
Part IV. Global Warming and Climate Change
9. Geophysical and astrophysical vortices N. Robb McDonald
10. Earths future climate Mark A. Saunders.