09895nam 2200493 450 99646684630331620220713183644.03-030-80260-4(CKB)4950000000283522(MiAaPQ)EBC6789360(Au-PeEL)EBL6789360(OCoLC)1280275892(PPN)258302135(EXLCZ)99495000000028352220220713d2021 uy 0engurcnu||||||||txtrdacontentcrdamediacrrdacarrierOur place in the universeII the scientific approach to discovery /Sun KwokCham, Switzerland :Springer,[2021]©20211 online resource (346 pages)3-030-80259-0 Includes bibliographical references and index.Intro -- Preface -- Prologue -- Contents -- About the Author -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Chapter 1: From Copernicus to Enlightenment -- 1.1 A Spherical Earth -- 1.2 The First Cosmological Models -- 1.3 Uneven Movements of the Sun and the Planets -- 1.4 The Copernican Model -- 1.5 Immutability of the Heavens -- 1.6 A Physical Universe -- 1.7 Social Implications of the Post-Renaissance Model of the Universe -- Chapter 2: Empirical Evidence for the Heliocentric Model -- 2.1 Empirical Evidence for the Rotation of the Earth -- 2.2 Finite Speed of Light -- 2.3 Search for Empirical Proof that the Earth Revolves Around the Sun -- 2.4 Shift of Stellar Position as the Result of Orbital Motion of the Earth -- 2.5 The Third Proof of the Earth´s Revolution Around the Sun -- 2.6 A Long Journey from Theory to Confirmation -- Chapter 3: Resolution of the Theoretical Objections to the Heliocentric Theory -- 3.1 The Concept of Inertia -- 3.2 Why We Do Not Feel We Are Moving Around the Sun? -- 3.3 Why We Do Not Feel the Rotation of the Earth? -- 3.4 Evolution to a True Heliocentric Model -- 3.5 Artificial Satellites and Interplanetary Travel -- 3.6 Final Vindication of Copernicus -- 3.7 A Turning Point in Our View of the Universe -- Chapter 4: Size of the Solar System -- 4.1 How Fast Is Heaven Turning? -- 4.2 No More Points Of Light -- 4.3 How Far Are the Planets? -- 4.4 How Far Away Is the Sun? -- 4.5 A Changing Perception of the Size of the Solar System -- Chapter 5: Celestial Navigation and Exploration of the Heavens -- 5.1 The Longitude Problem -- 5.2 Stars Are Moving -- 5.3 The Solar System Is Moving -- 5.4 Unexpected Dividends -- 5.5 Cosmological Implications -- Chapter 6: New Members of the Solar System -- 6.1 The Origin of Comets -- 6.2 Discovery of Uranus -- 6.3 Prediction of Neptune -- 6.4 Search for Vulcan -- 6.5 Search for Planet X.6.6 Lesson to Be Learned -- Chapter 7: Is the Sun a Star? -- 7.1 Brightness Drop-Off with Distance -- 7.2 Distance to Stars -- 7.3 Are All Stars the Same? -- 7.4 Demotion of the Sun -- Chapter 8: A New Way of Thinking -- 8.1 The Scientific Method -- 8.2 Examples of Scientific Methods at Work -- 8.3 What Is a Good Scientific Theory? -- 8.4 How Do We Know that a Theory Is in Trouble? -- 8.5 What Is Not a Scientific Question? -- 8.6 Application of the Scientific Method to Other Disciplines -- 8.7 Limitations of Science -- Chapter 9: What Are Stars Made of? -- 9.1 Color of Sunlight and Physical Objects -- 9.2 Dark Lines in the Sun -- 9.3 Does the Sun Contain the Same Elements as Earth? -- 9.4 A New Element in the Sky -- 9.5 The Mystery of Nebulium -- 9.6 The Beginning of Astrophysics -- 9.7 Different Kinds of Stars -- 9.8 Unification of Matter in Heaven and on Earth -- Chapter 10: Origin of the Solar System -- 10.1 Formation of the Solar System -- 10.2 Extrasolar Planetary Systems -- 10.3 The Outer Solar System -- 10.4 The Question of Origins -- Chapter 11: The Plurality of Worlds -- 11.1 What Is the Milky Way? -- 11.2 Shape of the Milky Way -- 11.3 A Larger Universe -- 11.4 The Distance Problem -- 11.5 Removal of the Sun from the Center of the Milky Way -- 11.6 Philosophical Implications -- Chapter 12: The Nature of Nebulae -- 12.1 Discovery of Nonstellar Objects -- 12.2 The Mystery of Spiral Nebulae -- 12.3 Island Universes or Gaseous Nebulae? -- 12.4 The Resolution -- 12.5 Sun´s Motion in the Milky Way -- 12.6 How Can Experts Be Wrong? -- 12.7 Evolution of Our Understanding of the Universe -- Chapter 13: Are All Motions Relative? -- 13.1 Principle of Relativity -- 13.2 The Need for a Fictitious Force -- 13.3 We Can Tell the Earth Is Rotating Without Looking Outside -- 13.4 Origin of the Inertial Force.13.5 Mathematical Formulation of the Principle of Relativity -- 13.6 Einstein´s Theory of Gravity -- 13.7 No More Action at a Distance -- Chapter 14: The Nature of Light and Matter -- 14.1 Fundamental Elements of Terrestrial Matter -- 14.2 Building Blocks of Matter -- 14.3 The Confusion between Light and Heat -- 14.4 Expansion of the Concept of Color -- 14.5 Heat and Temperature -- 14.6 Everything Shines -- 14.7 The Search for Ether -- 14.8 Quantum Theory of Light and Matter -- 14.9 Science and Utility -- Chapter 15: The Human-Star Connection -- 15.1 What Powers the Sun? -- 15.2 Source of the Sun´s Energy -- 15.3 Direct Confirmation of Nuclear Fusion in the Sun -- 15.4 The Solar Terrestrial Connection -- 15.5 Origin of Chemical Elements -- 15.6 Chemical Composition of the Human Body -- 15.7 Universality of Physics and Chemistry -- Chapter 16: Is the Universe Finite? -- 16.1 Looking Back into the Past -- 16.2 Expansion of the Universe -- 16.3 Large-Scale Structure of the Universe -- 16.4 The Beginning of Time -- 16.5 An Evolving Universe -- Chapter 17: Early History of the Earth -- 17.1 Methods of Age Determination -- 17.2 Radioactive Dating -- 17.3 A Physical Connection between Heaven and Earth -- 17.4 External Bombardment of the Early Earth -- 17.5 Formation of the Moon -- 17.6 Formation of the Ocean and the Atmosphere -- 17.7 The Complex History of the Earth -- Chapter 18: Common Ancestors -- 18.1 The Evolution of Living Species -- 18.2 Life Beyond What We Can See -- 18.3 A New Realm of Life -- 18.4 The Tree of Life -- 18.5 Social Implications of Darwinism -- Chapter 19: Origin of Life -- 19.1 Spontaneous Generation -- 19.2 Panspermia: Life from Elsewhere -- 19.3 Distinction Between Living and Non-living -- 19.4 Abiogenesis: A Chemical Origin of Life -- 19.5 Philosophy Guiding Science -- 19.6 Remaining Questions.Chapter 20: Complexity in the Universe -- 20.1 Molecules and Solids in the Interstellar Medium -- 20.2 Minerals in Space -- 20.3 The Discovery of Extraterrestrial Organics -- 20.4 Abiotic Synthesis of Organics -- 20.5 Unsolved Mysteries -- 20.6 Extending the Frontiers of Exploration -- Chapter 21: Evolution of the Earth Through the Ages -- 21.1 The Continents Are Moving -- 21.2 The Oxygen Evolution -- 21.3 Life Explosion -- 21.4 Extinction Events -- 21.5 Emergence of Humans -- 21.6 Lessons from the History of Life on Earth -- Chapter 22: Climate Changes Through the Ages -- 22.1 Climate Cycles -- 22.2 The Warm Earth -- 22.3 Human-induced Climate Change -- 22.4 Effects of Climate on Society -- 22.5 Balance Between Development and Conservation -- Chapter 23: The Link Between Stars and Life on Earth -- 23.1 Lifetimes of Stars -- 23.2 Death of the Sun -- 23.3 The Final Fate of Stars -- 23.4 Stellar Synthesis of Complex Organics -- 23.5 Birth of New Stars and Planetary Systems from Stellar Debris -- 23.6 External Delivery of Organics to Earth and Their Effects on the Origin of Life -- 23.7 The Future of the Human Species -- Chapter 24: Life on Other Worlds -- 24.1 Conditions for Life -- 24.2 Search for Life in the Solar System -- 24.3 Search for Signs of Life on Other Planets in the Galaxy -- 24.4 Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence -- 24.5 Direct Contact with Alien Life -- 24.6 Did Aliens Visit the Earth? -- 24.7 Different Paths of Scientific Development among Alien Civilizations -- 24.8 The Social Implication of Discovery of Extraterrestrial Life -- 24.9 Ethical Issues of Planetary Exploration and Engineering -- 24.10 Nonbiological Alien Life -- Chapter 25: Our Place in the Universe -- 25.1 Changing Spatial Scale of the Universe -- 25.2 On the Temporal Scale -- 25.3 On the Relative Scale -- 25.4 Constitution of Matter.25.5 The Role of Humans in the Universe -- 25.6 Looking into the Future by Learning from the Past -- Chapter 26: The Common Links in Our Journey -- 26.1 A 300-year Success Story -- 26.2 The Interdisciplinary Nature of Science -- 26.3 The Path to Discovery -- 26.4 The Human Aspects of Science -- 26.5 How Science Should Be Taught? -- 26.6 How Science Is Done -- 26.7 The Ethics of Science -- 26.8 Science and Technology -- 26.9 Science and Society -- 26.10 The Hidden Assumptions Behind Modern Science -- 26.11 Is There a Limit to Science? -- Appendix I. Brightest Stars in the Sky -- Appendix II. Units of Measurement -- Appendix III. Astronomical Measurements -- Appendix IV. Photometric Method to Estimate the Distances of Stars -- Appendix V. Mass of the Milky Way -- Appendix VI. Examples of Inertial Forces -- Appendix VII. Astronomy from Other Planetary Systems -- Review Exercises -- Glossary -- Further Reading -- Chapter 1 -- Chapter 2 -- Chapter 4 -- Chapter 5 -- Chapter 6 -- Chapter 9 -- Chapter 10 -- Chapter 11 -- Chapter 13 -- Chapter 14 -- Chapter 15 -- Chapter 16 -- Chapter 18 -- Chapter 19 -- Chapter 20 -- Chapter 21 -- Chapter 23 -- Chapter 24 -- Chapter 26 -- Index.CosmologyAstronomyHistoryCosmology.AstronomyHistory.523.1Kwok S(Sun),823594MiAaPQMiAaPQMiAaPQBOOK996466846303316Our Place in the Universe1993180UNISA