Interplanetary Dust


Book Description

An excellent handbook on the physics of interplanetary dust, a topic of interest not only to astronomers and space scientists but also to engineers. The following topics are covered in the book: historical perspectives; cometary dust; near-Earth environment; meteoroids and meteors; properties of interplanetary dust, information from collected samples; in situ measurements of cosmic dust; numerical modeling of the Zodiacal Cloud structure; synthesis of observations; instrumentation; physical processes; optical properties of interplanetary dust; orbital evolution of interplanetary dust; circumplanetary dust, observations and simple physics; interstellar dust and circumstellar dust disks. No doubt, the text will be regarded as the standard reference on interplanetary dust for many years to come.




A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud


Book Description

In the summer and autumn of 2006 I read several interviews with Brian May in which he mentioned his desire to complete the PhD that he had abandoned in 1974. I looked up the papers he had published while a PhD student, which were on spectroscopic studies of the motion of the dust responsible for the zodiacal light, and felt that there was a basis for a thesis. Since he had been a student at Imperial, I knew, as Head of the Astrophysics Group at Imperial, that it would be good for the Group if he came and worked with us. I got in touch with him by email and suggested he come and talk about it. He replied enthusiastically and said that he was working on typing up what he had completed by 1974. I gradually realized that I was the only staff member at Imperial who had previously worked on zodiacal dust, so that I would have to act as his supervisor. Eventually we met and I tried to assess whether he would be able to find time for the huge amount of work that finishing off a thesis involves, particularly if it has not been touched for over 30 years. Since some of Brian’s emails were coming from the recording studio I knew there was strong competition for his time.




The Light of the Night Sky


Book Description




Origin and Evolution of Interplanetary Dust


Book Description

THE THE KYOTO KYOTO COLLOQUIUM COLLOQUIUM It It has has almost almost become become a a tradition tradition to to periodically periodically review review the the progress progress of of our our knowledge knowledge of of interplanetary interplanetary dust dust at at an an interdisciplinary interdisciplinary level. level. After After the the Honolulu Honolulu (1967), (1967), Heidelberg Heidelberg (1975), (1975), Ottawa Ottawa (1979) (1979) and and Marseilles Marseilles (1984) (1984) meetings, meetings, it it was was decided decided to to hold hold a a meeting meeting specially specially devoted devoted to to the the Origin Origin and and Evolution Evolution of of Interplanetary Interplanetary Dust Dust in in Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan Japan on on 27-30 27-30 August August 1990. 1990. This This colloquium colloquium was was certainly certainly appropriate appropriate in in location, location, timing timing and and objective. objective. The The choice choice of of the the location location was was most most appropriate, appropriate, not not only only because because of of the the charm charm of of the the beautiful beautiful city city of of Kyoto, Kyoto, but but also also because because of of the the important important involvement involvement of of our our Japanese Japanese colleagues, colleagues, both both in in observations observations of of interplanetary, interplanetary, cometary, cometary, meteoritic, meteoritic, circumplanetary circumplanetary or or circumstellar circumstellar dust, dust, and and in in physico-chemical physico-chemical analysis analysis or or theoretical theoretical developments. developments.




Physics of the Inner Heliosphere II


Book Description

Physics of the Inner Heliosphere gives for the first time a comprehensive and complete summary of our knowledge of the inner solar system. Using data collected over more than 11 years by the HELIOS twin solar probes, one of the most successful ventures in unmanned space exploration, the authors have compiled six extensive reviews of the physical processes of the inner heliosphere and their relation to the solar atmosphere. Researchers and advanced students in space and plasma physics, astronomy, and solar physics will be surprised to see just how closely the heliosphere is tied to, and how sensitively it depends on, the sun. Volume 2 deals with particles, waves, and turbulence, with chapters on: - magnetic clouds - interplanetary clouds - the solar wind plasma and MHD turbulence - waves and instabilities - energetic particles in the inner solar system




Night Sky With the Naked Eye


Book Description

Understand and Enjoy the Wonders of the Stars with Fun Activities for the Whole Family Gain a deeper appreciation of the universe and our place in it with Night Sky with the Naked Eye. Learn how to spot the International Space Station, follow the moon through its phases, forecast an aurora and watch a meteor shower along with traditional night sky activities such as identifying the bright planets, stars and constellations. Fun activities embrace modern technology with the best apps and websites that make it easy for anyone to observe the greatest spectacles of the sky without a telescope or other expensive equipment. An expert in his field, Bob King teaches night sky courses and makes cosmic mysteries practical and accessible for skywatchers new and old. Understand what makes stars twinkle and where meteors come from in this complete guide to the heavens. Unique illustrations and stunning photos help the reader understand the concepts presented. Tips on how to photograph satellites, eclipses and the aurora are also included. Unravel the secrets of the universe while deepening your appreciation of its beauty through this clear and concise guide.




The Juno Mission


Book Description

The Juno mission to Jupiter is one of the most ambitious, daring and challenging solar system exploration missions ever conceived. Next to the Sun, Jupiter is the largest object in our solar system. As such, it is both a record and driver of the formation and evolution of the planets -- no other object in our solar system can tell us more about the origin of planetary systems. Understanding the details of giant planet formation, structure, composition and powerful magnetospheric environment required a new perspective close up and over the poles of Jupiter -- an orbit never before attempted. Juno was specifically designed for this challenge, entering into the harshest planetary environment known in the solar system. This volume describes the mission design, scientific strategies and instrument payload that enable Juno to peer deep into Jupiter’s atmosphere and reveal the fundamental process of the formation and early evolution of our solar system. In these papers, the Juno instrument teams describe their investigations, which include gravity radio science, microwave radiometers, magnetometers, an infrared imager auroral mapper, an ultraviolet imager and spectrograph, a visible light imager known as JunoCam, low and high energy particle detectors and plasma wave and radio electromagnetic sensors. The articles also describe a radiation monitoring experiment and the extensive laboratory measurements undertaken to assist with the analysis and interpretation of Juno’s pioneering investigation of Jupiter’s deep atmosphere. Originally published in Space Science Reviews, Volume 213, Issue 1-4, November 2017




Accretion of Extraterrestrial Matter Throughout Earth’s History


Book Description

Extraterrestrial matter affecting the earth varies in size from cosmic dust particles to the large meteor thought to have caused the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. In this volume, 22 contributions from Peucker-Ehrenbrink (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), Schmitz (U. of Goteborg, Sweden) and other international scientists discuss the accretion of extraterrestrial matter on Earth throughout the planet's history. Topics include, for example, the atmospheric entry heating of interplanetary dust, the sedimentary record of impact events, and the cosmic ray exposure history of meteorites. c. Book News Inc.







Meteor Showers and their Parent Comets


Book Description

Meteor Showers and their Parent Comets is a unique handbook for astronomers interested in observing meteor storms and outbursts. Spectacular displays of 'shooting stars' are created when the Earth's orbit crosses a meteoroid stream, as each meteoroid causes a bright light when it enters our atmosphere at high speed. Jenniskens, an active meteor storm chaser, explains how meteoroid streams originate from the decay of meteoroids, comets and asteroids, and how they cause meteor showers on Earth. He includes the findings of recent space missions to comets and asteroids, the risk of meteor impacts on Earth, and how meteor showers may have seeded the Earth with ingredients that made life possible. All known meteor showers are identified, accompanied by fascinating details on the most important showers and their parent comets. The book predicts when exceptional meteor showers will occur over the next fifty years, making it a valuable resource for both amateur and professional astronomers.