Galileo's New Universe

Science / By /
Galileo's New Universe

Author: Stephen P. Maran

Publisher: BenBella Books

ISBN: 9781933771595

Category: Science

Page: 186

View: 948

The historical and social implications of the telescope and that instrument's modern-day significance are brought into startling focus in this fascinating account. When Galileo looked to the sky with his perspicillum, or spyglass, roughly 400 years ago, he could not have fathomed the amount of change his astonishing findings—a seemingly flat moon magically transformed into a dynamic, crater-filled orb and a large, black sky suddenly held millions of galaxies—would have on civilizations. Reflecting on how Galileo's world compares with contemporary society, this insightful analysis deftly moves from the cutting-edge technology available in 17th-century Europe to the unbelievable phenomena discovered during the last 50 years, documenting important astronomical advances and the effects they have had over the years.

Galileo

Biography & Autobiography / By /
Galileo

Author: David Wootton

Publisher: Yale University Press

ISBN: 9780300170061

Category: Biography & Autobiography

Page: 344

View: 573

“Demonstrates an awesome command of the vast Galileo literature . . . [Wootton] excels in boldly speculating about Galileo’s motives” (The New York Times Book Review). Tackling Galileo as astronomer, engineer, and author, David Wootton places him at the center of Renaissance culture. He traces Galileo through his early rebellious years; the beginnings of his scientific career constructing a “new physics”; his move to Florence seeking money, status, and greater freedom to attack intellectual orthodoxies; his trial for heresy and narrow escape from torture; and his house arrest and physical (though not intellectual) decline. Wootton also reveals much that is new—from Galileo’s premature Copernicanism to a previously unrecognized illegitimate daughter—and, controversially, rejects the long-established belief that Galileo was a good Catholic. Absolutely central to Galileo’s significance—and to science more broadly—is the telescope, the potential of which Galileo was the first to grasp. Wootton makes clear that it totally revolutionized and galvanized scientific endeavor to discover new and previously unimagined facts. Drawing extensively on Galileo’s voluminous letters, many of which were self-censored and sly, this is an original, arresting, and highly readable biography of a difficult, remarkable Renaissance genius. Selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title in the Astronautics and Astronomy Category “Fascinating reading . . . With this highly adventurous portrayal of Galileo’s inner world, Wootton assures himself a high rank among the most radical recent Galileo interpreters . . . Undoubtedly Wootton makes an important contribution to Galileo scholarship.” —America magazine “Wootton’s biography . . . is engagingly written and offers fresh insights into Galileo’s intellectual development.” —Standpoint magazine

Life Of Galileo

Drama / By /
Life Of Galileo

Author: Bertolt Brecht

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

ISBN: 9781472538192

Category: Drama

Page: 192

View: 553

This Student Edition of Brecht's classic dramatisation of the conflict between free enquiry and official ideology features an extensive introduction and commentary that includes a plot summary, discussion of the context, themes, characters, style and language as well as questions for further study and notes on words and phrases in the text. It is the perfect edition for students of theatre and literature Along with Mother Courage, the character of Galileo is one of Brecht's greatest creations, immensely live, human and complex. Unable to resist his appetite for scientific investigation, Galileo's heretical discoveries about the solar system bring him to the attention of the Inquisition. He is scared into publicly abjuring his theories but, despite his self-contempt, goes on working in private, eventually helping to smuggle his writings out of the country. As an examination of the problems that face not only the scientist but also the whole spirit of free inquiry when brought into conflict with the requirements of government or official ideology, Life of Galileo has few equals. Written in exile in 1937-9 and first performed in Zurich in 1943, Galileo was first staged in English in 1947 by Joseph Losey in a version jointly prepared by Brecht and Charles Laughton, who played the title role. Printed here is the complete translation by John Willett.

From Galileo's "Occhialino" To Optoelectronics

/ By /
From Galileo's

Author: Mazzoldi Paolo

Publisher: World Scientific

ISBN: 9789814553285

Category:

Page: 960

View: 125

The aim of the Conference was to emphasize the state-of-art in the development of new materials and processes for use in optoelectronics, the technological innovations and applications of optical materials and systems in different disciplines, the potential and actual transfer of technologies and industrial know-how among different countries, the perspectives of new applications and industrial needs for optical materials and systems, the need for a “forum” for cooperation between Laboratories and Industries of different countries.The papers in the proceedings discuss the complexity in nonlinear optics, potentiality of molecular optoelectronics, the development of novel optical fabrication techniques, such as sol-gel and ion implantation, of glasses and glass ceramics materials for modern optical applications, of active glasses for integrated optics, laser glasses, electrochromic coatings.

Pluto Confidential

Science / By /
Pluto Confidential

Author: Stephen P. Maran

Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.

ISBN: 9781935251859

Category: Science

Page: 232

View: 396

When the International Astronomical Union (IAU) adopted a new definition of a "planet" in August 2006, Pluto became a dwarf planet, drawing a divisive line in science and public opinions. The controversy of whether Pluto is a planet continues years later, and passion about the decision remains, pitting scientist against scientist and invoking sentiments and nostalgia from the rest of the world. With the IAU definition, the future of space objects is forever changed. Learn how this resolution came to be and what it means for astronomy, who implemented it and who is against it, and whether it's the first or millionth time the world's view of astronomy has rotated on its axis. Written by an astronomer and educator who voted for the IAU resolution—Laurence A. Marschall—and a NASA scientist who supported the opposing petition that resulted—Stephen P. Maran—Pluto Confidential leaves no perspective out and no asteroid unturned in the Pluto debate. A telescopic look inside the book: • History of planetary disputes, including why Jupiter almost wasn't acknowledged • What Bode's Law is and how it has influenced observations • Who discovered Pluto and how it was named • The Kuiper Belt and its role in what it means to be a planet • Beyond Pluto and the eight distinguished planets

Galileo at Work

Science / By /
Galileo at Work

Author: Stillman Drake

Publisher: Courier Corporation

ISBN: 0486495426

Category: Science

Page: 568

View: 452

This fascinating, scholarly study by one of the world's foremost authorities on Galileo offers a vivid portrait of one of history's greatest minds. Detailed accounts, including many excerpts from Galileo's own writings, offer insights into his work on motion, mechanics, hydraulics, strength of materials, and projectiles. 36 black-and-white illustrations.

Makers of Western Science

Science / By /
Makers of Western Science

Author: Todd Timmons

Publisher: McFarland

ISBN: 9780786491155

Category: Science

Page: 224

View: 429

Non-scientists often perceive science as a dry, boring vocation pursued by dry, boring people. Contrary to popular perception, science has actually been the product of fascinating people seeking to explain the world around them. From Galileo’s difficulties with the Inquisition, to the quirkiness of Newton, to the iconic figure that was Einstein, this innovative volume chronicles the history of science using extensive passages from the works of the scientists themselves. Who better to appeal to our common sense concerning the truth of a sun-centered universe than Copernicus himself? Kepler expresses in his own words the way in which he awoke to the revelation of elliptical orbits, and Darwin shares his slowly evolving ideas leading to the theory of natural selection. Part biography, part history, this work reveals the personalities behind the world’s most significant scientific discoveries, providing an interesting new perspective on the human endeavor we call science. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

The Person of the Millennium

History / By /
The Person of the Millennium

Author: Manfred Weidhorn

Publisher: iUniverse

ISBN: 9780595368778

Category: History

Page: 168

View: 232

Galileo's pioneering use of the telescope showed that the earth is not at the center of the universe and led to his trial and conviction by the Inquisition. This first clash between science and religion still bedevils us today in many ways. Galileo, however, made an even greater contribution to history when, in destroying medieval science and discovering the laws of motion, he established the procedure of modern science. As a direct result of his work, Revelation and Scripture as sources of truth are replaced by Experimentation and Measurement, while Tradition and Authority as interpreters of truth are replaced by Individualism and Egalitarianism. This tremendous alteration in the scientific process eventually swept through all non-scientific disciplines and created the modern world. A good case can therefore be made that Galileo is the most influential person in history. Even if one does not agree with the conclusion, tracing this dramatic change is one of the most exciting of intellectual adventures. Interesting Argues well .Insightful and well written Recommended. --Choice (March 2006): 1246 However controversial, Manfred Weidhorn's supporting thesis dovetails with a fruitful trend of extending the controversy on science and religion, centered on Galileo, in a direction accounting for its impact on civilization, not just for Galileo's troubles with theologians and philosophers. The Person of the Millennium insightfully identifies a paradigm shift of history with the Galilean revolution. .Generally meritorious work .Thought-provoking and worthwhile reading. --Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 59.2 (June 2007): 155 This is a very sweeping thesis involving grand theorizing in the style of the old philosophy of history. However, Weidhorn's argument is nuanced and sophisticated Whether or not one values this type of grand theorizing and whether or not one completely accepts the thesis, Weidhorn has constructed a supporting argument that is eloquent, intelligent, cogent, and sometimes original, and has written a well-argued, thoughtful, and thought-provoking book. --Maurice A. Finocchiaro [Galileo scholar], The Historian 69.3 (Fall 2007): 602

The Dan Brown Craze

/ By /
The Dan Brown Craze

Author: Aiping Zhang

Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

ISBN: 9781443894159

Category:

Page: 400

View: 265

Since the Chinese translation of The Da Vinci Code was released in China in 2004, the “Dan Brown Craze” has swept across the country. All of Brown’s novels have subsequently been translated into Chinese and sold millions of copies. No living foreign writer has generated so much media coverage and scholarship in China within such a short period of time; not even Toni Morrison or J.K. Rowling. Brown’s rendering of dichotomies, such as science and religion, humanity and divinity, good and evil, and liberty and privacy, resonates well with his Chinese readers because they feel that these issues are no longer irrelevant to them. They see an urgent need for a revision, if not an entire redefinition, of their existing beliefs and values. This book examines the plot, characterization, themes, setting, codes, knowledge, institutions, and techniques in his novels, and delivers a careful textual analysis, a selective dissemination of relevant information on different subjects, and a perceptive comparison between Brown and other Chinese and Western writers. As such, it shows how his thrillers have been appreciated and studied in China, and what kinds of discoveries, challenges, controversies, and insights have surfaced in the Chinese appreciation of Brown’s novels. Furthermore, the book explores why the “Dan Brown Craze” has lasted this long and exerted a broad and far-reaching impact upon the reading, writing, studying, translating, publishing, and marketing of fiction in China.

New Monologues for Men

Drama / By /
New Monologues for Men

Author: Geoffrey Colman

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

ISBN: 9781472573506

Category: Drama

Page: 112

View: 819

New Monologues for Men features forty monologues from plays published by Bloomsbury Methuen Drama recently. The monologues are selected by the editor, Geoffrey Colman, on account of their suitability and relevance to drama school students and recent graduates entering the profession. Each monologue is preceded by an introductory paragraph, written by the editor, outlining the setting, character type, and point in the plot. Suggestions are offered for staging, performance decisions, points of significance in the text, and drawing on decisions made in professional production/s. This collection is the go-to resource for auditioning actors with an insatiable appetite for new, original and excellent material.

Magic, Science, and Religion in Early Modern Europe

Technology & Engineering / By /
Magic, Science, and Religion in Early Modern Europe

Author: Mark A. Waddell

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

ISBN: 9781108591164

Category: Technology & Engineering

Page:

View: 343

From the recovery of ancient ritual magic at the height of the Renaissance to the ignominious demise of alchemy at the dawn of the Enlightenment, Mark A. Waddell explores the rich and complex ways that premodern people made sense of their world. He describes a time when witches flew through the dark of night to feast on the flesh of unbaptized infants, magicians conversed with angels or struck pacts with demons, and astrologers cast the horoscopes of royalty. Ground-breaking discoveries changed the way that people understood the universe while, in laboratories and coffee houses, philosophers discussed how to reconcile the scientific method with the veneration of God. This engaging, illustrated new study introduces readers to the vibrant history behind the emergence of the modern world.