Sun Kwok Boeken

Focusing on the origin and evolution of planetary nebulae, this volume synthesizes observations from various space missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope and ROSAT. It explains key physical processes and highlights recent advancements in stellar physics and nebular dynamics. The book explores the potential of planetary nebulae in cosmic distance measurement, dark matter distribution, and galaxy chemical evolution. It serves as an accessible introduction for graduate students and a comprehensive reference for researchers, also suitable as an advanced text on interstellar medium physics.

Exploring the concept of humanity's place in the Universe, this book builds on the foundations laid in the author's previous work. It delves into various disciplines—astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, philosophy, and social sciences—to provide a comprehensive understanding of our existence. By examining historical developments since Newton's era, it offers a multifaceted view of how different fields contribute to our understanding of the cosmos and our role within it.

Using simple tools and mathematics, ancient astronomers accurately determined the sizes of the Earth and Moon, the distance to the Moon, and the lengths of the months and year.

How did life originate on Earth? For over 50 years, scientists believed that life was the result of a chemical reaction involving simple molecules such as methane and ammonia cooking in a primordial soup. Recent space observations have revealed that old stars are capable of making very complex organic compounds. At some point in their evolution, stars eject those organics and spread them all over the Milky Way galaxy. There is evidence that these organic dust particles actually reached the early Solar System. Through bombardments by comets and asteroids, the young Earth inherited significant amounts of stardust. Was the development of life assisted by the arrival of these extraterrestrial materials? In this book, the author describes stunning discoveries in astronomy and solar system science made over the last 10 years that have yielded a new perspective on the origin of life. Other interesting topics discussed in this book The discovery of diamonds and other gemstones in space The origin of oil Neon signs and fluorescent lights in space Smoke from the stars Stardust in our hands Where oceans come from The possibility of bacteria in space

Authored by an experienced writer and a well-known researcher of stellar evolution, interstellar matter and spectroscopy, this unique treatise on the formation and observation of organic compounds in space includes a spectroscopy refresher, as well as links to geological findings and finishes with the outlook for future astronomical facilities and solar system exploration missions. A whole section on laboratory simulations includes the Miller-Urey experiment and the ultraviolet photolysis of ices.

Die Fortsetzung des Buches untersucht die Frage nach "unserem Platz im Universum" aus einer Vielzahl von Perspektiven, darunter Astronomie, Physik, Chemie, Biologie, Philosophie und Sozialwissenschaften. Dabei wird die Entwicklung des Wissens seit der Zeit Newtons beleuchtet und die interdisziplinäre Betrachtung fördert ein tieferes Verständnis der menschlichen Existenz im Kontext des Universums.