|
Celestial Mechanics: The Waltz of the Planets (Springer Praxis Books Popular Astronomy)
Product Review From the reviews: "Celletti (Universita di Roma Tor Vergata) and Perozzi (Telespazio Rome) present a complicated subject in an engaging manner that is accessible to general readers. The writing is clear and authoritative, and the diagrams and tables help the nonexpert reader to visualize the key ideas without having to wade through the mathematics usually found in a book on this subject. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers; lower- and upper-division undergraduates." (T. Barker, CHOICE, Vol. 44 (11), August, 2007) "The celestial mechanics can be considered as the mathematical part of the astronomy, requiring a high level in mathematics and reserved to specialists . The Waltz of the Planets offer a different insight, providing very basic mathematical tools to the reader, sufficient to enable him or her to understand the main topics of celestial planetary dynamics. The purpose is to present this discipline as accessible, interesting and amusing . A book to recommand to students, astronomers and celestial mechanicians." (Anne Lemaître, Physicalia Magazine, Vol. thirty (1), 2008) Product Description The common perception of Celestial Mechanics is that of a discipline which requirements advanced mathematics and astronomy to be understood. Yet modern Celestial Mechanics has a rather different taste and a truly interdisciplinary nature. The number of celestial objects known to mankind has dramatically increased, the long-awaited presence of extrasolar planets has been eventually detected around other stars, spaceflight dynamics has brought new applications encompassing rocked dynamics, the place-in-orbit of artificial satellites and interplanetary mission design. Solar System exploration has grown as a long term strategy for the construction of a permanent base on the Moon and a manned mission to Mars. The aim of the book is to show to the people at large, as well as to a more skilled audience, the many fascinating aspects of modern celestial mechanics. After giving to the reader the necessary technical tools needed for a basic understanding of the underlying physical phenomena (using only elementary mathematics), facts and figures are provided on historical events, modern discoveries and future applications. Contents are divided into major topics where the three "souls" of modern celestial mechanics (dynamical systems, Solar System & stellar systems, spaceflight dynamics) play a major role. As an example, spin-orbit resonances can be explained using fractional algebra and subsequently described in action as "cosmic spinning tops". Easily observable effects such as the existence of a "dark side of the Moon" (and of many other satellites) can be compared to the "complete synchronous rotation" achieved by a geostationary telecommunication satellite in order to be always in view of the receiving parabolas on the ground. On longer time scales, the consequences of spin-orbit interaction may dramatically change the evolution of a planet when chaos enters the scene and must be taken into account in searching habitable planets around other stars. Reader Reviews Celestial mechanics studies the motion of bodies (stars, planets, satellites, etc.) under gravity. This book provides a quick overview of the subject, focusing especially on recent developments. The book presumes some knowledge of astronomy, but it's suitable for any amateur astronomer. (It contains virtually no math.) My primary objection to this book is that it doesn't explain many of the phenomena that it mentions. The book includes both a glossary that defines jargon and a guide to further information. Contents: Ch. 1: history of the subject; terminology regarding orbits Ch. 2: chaotic orbits and the multi-body problem Ch. 3: orbital resonances: their role in the motions of moons and asteroids, and their exploitation by interplanetary probes Ch. 4: spin-orbit resonances: tidal forces; synchronous resonance; geosynchronous satellites; obliquity; precession and its exploitation in archaeoastronomy Ch. 5: stability of the solar system; paths of comets, meteorites, and asteroids Ch. 6: danger of asteroids colliding with the Earth Ch. 7: motions of the moon; eclipses; the moon's role in the creation of life; novel trajectories to the moon Ch. 8: spacecraft flight: "halo" orbits; space debris around Earth; interplanetary trajectories (Hohmann transfer orbits, gravity assists) Ch. 9: planetary rings: their structure; the Roche limit; shepherd satellites Ch. 10: newly discovered objects in the solar system (Centaurs, etc.) Ch. 11: planets around other stars and the search for them (nulling interferometry) Comment | | (Report this)
|
 |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
Current Page: engineeringbookmonster > Applied Mechanics > Celestial Mechanics: The Waltz of the Planets (Springer Praxis Books Popular Astronomy) Try the Arcspider search for hard to find Applied Mechanics texts and references. Locate authoritative works by top researchers and authors in Applied Mechanics and other science and engineering fields. Our database includes a huge collection of tools for the practicing engineer or student. Find the latest edition of a textbook, specification or an obscure periodical - and buy at a discount!
NOTE: All prices, specifications, and availability Copyright © 2008, engineeringbookmonster.com info@engineeringbookmonster.com Privacy Policy |
|||
