Uncategorized
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Cosmic questions, answers pending
Special section
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Book Review: The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos by Brian Greene
Review by Tom Siegfried.
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Cosmic Challenge: The Ultimate Observing List for Amateurs by Philip S. Harrington
This guide to observing the heavens beckons backyard astronomers to find 187 targets using instruments ranging from binoculars to monster scopes. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2011, 469 p., $45.
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Discoverers of the Universe: William and Caroline Herschel by Michael Hoskin
An in-depth account of the lives of sibling astronomers William and Caroline Herschel, who discovered Uranus, comets galore and much more. Princeton Univ. Press, 2011, 237 p., $29.95.
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How Old is the Universe? by David A. Weintraub
An astronomer outlines the research showing that the universe is 13.7 billion years old. Princeton Univ. Press, 2011, 370 p., $29.95.
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Seven Wonders of the Universe That You Probably Took for Granted by C. Renée James
A lighthearted tour of everyday phenomena like light, time and gravity that also explores what makes Earth special and the evolution of life. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 2011, 240 p., $25.
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Meteorites by Caroline Smith, Sara Russell and Gretchen Benedix
A well-illustrated overview of the science and (literal) impacts of these space rocks. Firefly Books, 2011, 112 p., $19.95.
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Better risk assessments through molecular biology
As director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s NexGen Program, toxicologist Ila Cote leads a collaboration that brings together data, methods, skills and brains from diverse fields to better understand how chemicals interact with living things and the environment. In doing so, scientists hope to answer questions about potential risks from chemical exposure more quickly […]
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Science Past from the issue of April 22, 1961
RUSSIAN FIRST MAN IN SPACE — The Russians put the first man in orbit and returned him safely. A Soviet Air Force major, father of two, has circled the earth in 89.1 minutes, and come back, the official Russian news agency Tass reported. The height of the orbit varied from 110 to 188 miles. Maj. […]
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Science Future for April 23, 2011
May 6 Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks before dawn. Go to earthsky.org/tonight for info. May 6 The first female “private space explorer” speaks at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Awards. See www.carnegiesciencecenter.org May 15 Deadline to submit photos of “chemistry in our drinks” to the Colors of Chemistry calendar competition. Find out more at colorsofchemistry.org
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Letters
Science not in the zone It makes no sense to analyze basketball shooting streaks (“In the zone,” SN: 2/12/11, p. 26) as though they were similar to slot machines or video games, which are supposed to be random. Basketball shooting, and other sports activities, are definitely not random events.Walt Gray, Richland, Wash. I was very […]
