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The motion of the Moon
Book reviews Directory
of British
Biotechnology 19891 Hariow. 1938.
90. Pp. 767. Langman, Paperback
f65.50.
In reviewing something as indigestible as a directory (which is designed to be dipped into rather than read in a cursive fashion) it is appropriate to consider does it fill a need; is it accurate; is it comprehensive; is it easy to use? There is a need for readily accessible information of this type for a wide variety of searchers - from job hunters through external resource identifiers presumably all the way to compilers of even more directories. Based on evaluation of a small sample the data presented are accurate, given that in such a fast-moving industry change during the time of production is inevitable. One minor typographical error was noted in the sample. Since the compiler is presumably at the mercy of accurately completed and returned questionnaires it is perhaps not surprising that the entries For some tiny organizations make some very wide ctaims of competence. At least two of the major listed organisations are omitted from the subject index. Aside from these idiosyncracies the book appears comprehensive, covering manufacturers, service and consultancy organizations, and academic departments. The data are clearly presented and rspidfy accessible with contact names and telephone numbers for access to more detailed information. I. P. Sword Science and Tachndogy in Scandinavia. 8y Gemgas Fern& Pp. 775. tongman,
1989, f83.00. Despite their many differences - as, for example, in language and historical affiliations - the Scandinavian countries. with a total population of 23 million, form a welidefined entity. As is well known, they enjoy a very high standard of living, sustained partly by internal trade but largely by foreign exports. The ultimate secret of their success in a highly competitive world is their systematic exploitation of the most advanced technologies. This in turn demands the development and maintenance of an advanced scientific and technological infrastructure for education and research. This latest addition to the impressive Longman Guides to World Science and Technology comprehensively surveys science and technology policies in each of the five ind~~~dua1countries, and concludes with an overalf review of cofiaborative organizations within the group and their relations with other countries outside it. The Guide concludes with a threekk3ffOW.
page bibliography (many entries in Scandinavian languages); a directory listing 150 major research establishments; and a comprehensive index.
The Cob Atlas of Galaxies. By James D. Wray. Pp. 789. Cambridge University Press. 1966. f60&?, Us$79.50
In sweeping the sky for nebulosities 200 years ago, WilIiam Herschel discovered the red cnlour of the nucleus of the Andromeda Nebula. Since those early days of extragalactic astronomy, stimulated by the developments of technology and the realization that stars and galaxies change colour with time, the accurate measurement of &our has come to play a central role in galaxy research. The present atlas is a veritable tour de farce; it offers the first catalogue of a substantial number (600) of galaxies in their true colours. The beautiful reproductions are a work of art in their own right; the range of forms and structures in these, the largest mass accumulations in Nature, is fascinating. The scientist interested in the processes that govern the long evolution of galaxies throughout most of the age of the Universe has here a vast fund of information. The true coIours of the galaxies were painstakingly recorded by an image tube through UBV colour filters and then converted to photographic images for publication using a J-colour dye transfer process. The photographic image is unique in conveying not onty a vast amount of detail but also an overall impression of the processes at work in galaxies. The Atlas shows the yellows of the old evolved stars, the blues of the active star-forming regions, and dark obscuration of the interstellar dust, as each is distributed throughout thegalaxies. Dr Wray is to be congratrtlated in making avaitabfe such a unique atlas of galaxies. R. D. Davies
The Matian of the Moon, By AIan Cook. Pp. 222. Adam Hiiger, Bristol. 1988.
f35UO The theory of the lunar motion has tantalized generations of astronomers since ancient times. In essence, the solution of the lunar motion involves the problem of three bodies - the Earth, the Moon itself, and the Sun - so that all luna; theories can be or@ approximate. Modern deYeJopments, such as taser ranging, have added vital new interest to the study of the Moon’s motion and an up-todate book devoted to the problem has become a major necessity. In answer to this requirement, Sir Alan Cook has produced an important work, which is one of the few texts since the end of last century specifically devoted to the motion of the Moon.
Cook begins with useful introductory chapters on observations of the Moon and the dynamics of the lunar orbit. The central part of the book gives an exceltent discussion of the historicat progress of the analytical lunar theory: from the mid-18th century to the major developments and refinements around the turn of the present century. There is a valuable treatment of the Moon’s pbysicaf librations and an interesting chapter on the applications of the study of the lunar motion. However, the brief chapter on the use of computers in the investigation of the Moon’s motion could well have been expanded. This well-written book should be suitable for both undergraduate and postgraduate astronomy students. It should afso attract a wide readership among professional scientists with an interest in the motion of our nearest neighbour in space. F. R. Stephenron The Supernova Story. By Lrturence A, Marschalt. Pp. 236. Plenum, New York, 1988. lJS$22.95
The occurrence in February 1987 of a gigantic explosion in the Large Magellan Cloud, right next to our own galaxy, was an event awaited for nearly four centuries. it motivated L. A. Marschall to take us for a marveiious journey among the world of stars and their exuberant death as supernovae. He tells us how such events, described in thousand-year-old records, had been watched by early Chinese astrologers. He gives us a sense of the historica importance of the 16th century supernova, as a disproof of Aristotle’s belief in a perfect immutable world. He gets us acquainted with the modern heroes (with perhaps a small bias in favour of the American ones) of the astronomical world such as the Reverend Evans from the United Church in Hazfebrook, Australia, who beats all computers in discovering new supernovae in nearby galaxies. This very lively book is quite complete, explainmg all salient scientific aspecfs, from the Formation of stars up to the ultimate explosion, and well demented. The author, a popuIar writer and astronomer, went to live among the specialists during several months. He has a high sense of rigour, seeking always for the right physical explanation, simple and easily understandable.
Atlas of Uranus. By Garry Hunt and Patrick Moore. Pp 36. Cambridge University Press. 1989. f 15.00, U$$24.95.
Uranus was discovered by William Herschel in 1781, using a reflecting tetescope no more than 15.75 cm in diameter whieb he had made himseif. But Uranus is not easy to
of British
Biotechnology 19891 Hariow. 1938.
90. Pp. 767. Langman, Paperback
f65.50.
In reviewing something as indigestible as a directory (which is designed to be dipped into rather than read in a cursive fashion) it is appropriate to consider does it fill a need; is it accurate; is it comprehensive; is it easy to use? There is a need for readily accessible information of this type for a wide variety of searchers - from job hunters through external resource identifiers presumably all the way to compilers of even more directories. Based on evaluation of a small sample the data presented are accurate, given that in such a fast-moving industry change during the time of production is inevitable. One minor typographical error was noted in the sample. Since the compiler is presumably at the mercy of accurately completed and returned questionnaires it is perhaps not surprising that the entries For some tiny organizations make some very wide ctaims of competence. At least two of the major listed organisations are omitted from the subject index. Aside from these idiosyncracies the book appears comprehensive, covering manufacturers, service and consultancy organizations, and academic departments. The data are clearly presented and rspidfy accessible with contact names and telephone numbers for access to more detailed information. I. P. Sword Science and Tachndogy in Scandinavia. 8y Gemgas Fern& Pp. 775. tongman,
1989, f83.00. Despite their many differences - as, for example, in language and historical affiliations - the Scandinavian countries. with a total population of 23 million, form a welidefined entity. As is well known, they enjoy a very high standard of living, sustained partly by internal trade but largely by foreign exports. The ultimate secret of their success in a highly competitive world is their systematic exploitation of the most advanced technologies. This in turn demands the development and maintenance of an advanced scientific and technological infrastructure for education and research. This latest addition to the impressive Longman Guides to World Science and Technology comprehensively surveys science and technology policies in each of the five ind~~~dua1countries, and concludes with an overalf review of cofiaborative organizations within the group and their relations with other countries outside it. The Guide concludes with a threekk3ffOW.
page bibliography (many entries in Scandinavian languages); a directory listing 150 major research establishments; and a comprehensive index.
The Cob Atlas of Galaxies. By James D. Wray. Pp. 789. Cambridge University Press. 1966. f60&?, Us$79.50
In sweeping the sky for nebulosities 200 years ago, WilIiam Herschel discovered the red cnlour of the nucleus of the Andromeda Nebula. Since those early days of extragalactic astronomy, stimulated by the developments of technology and the realization that stars and galaxies change colour with time, the accurate measurement of &our has come to play a central role in galaxy research. The present atlas is a veritable tour de farce; it offers the first catalogue of a substantial number (600) of galaxies in their true colours. The beautiful reproductions are a work of art in their own right; the range of forms and structures in these, the largest mass accumulations in Nature, is fascinating. The scientist interested in the processes that govern the long evolution of galaxies throughout most of the age of the Universe has here a vast fund of information. The true coIours of the galaxies were painstakingly recorded by an image tube through UBV colour filters and then converted to photographic images for publication using a J-colour dye transfer process. The photographic image is unique in conveying not onty a vast amount of detail but also an overall impression of the processes at work in galaxies. The Atlas shows the yellows of the old evolved stars, the blues of the active star-forming regions, and dark obscuration of the interstellar dust, as each is distributed throughout thegalaxies. Dr Wray is to be congratrtlated in making avaitabfe such a unique atlas of galaxies. R. D. Davies
The Matian of the Moon, By AIan Cook. Pp. 222. Adam Hiiger, Bristol. 1988.
f35UO The theory of the lunar motion has tantalized generations of astronomers since ancient times. In essence, the solution of the lunar motion involves the problem of three bodies - the Earth, the Moon itself, and the Sun - so that all luna; theories can be or@ approximate. Modern deYeJopments, such as taser ranging, have added vital new interest to the study of the Moon’s motion and an up-todate book devoted to the problem has become a major necessity. In answer to this requirement, Sir Alan Cook has produced an important work, which is one of the few texts since the end of last century specifically devoted to the motion of the Moon.
Cook begins with useful introductory chapters on observations of the Moon and the dynamics of the lunar orbit. The central part of the book gives an exceltent discussion of the historicat progress of the analytical lunar theory: from the mid-18th century to the major developments and refinements around the turn of the present century. There is a valuable treatment of the Moon’s pbysicaf librations and an interesting chapter on the applications of the study of the lunar motion. However, the brief chapter on the use of computers in the investigation of the Moon’s motion could well have been expanded. This well-written book should be suitable for both undergraduate and postgraduate astronomy students. It should afso attract a wide readership among professional scientists with an interest in the motion of our nearest neighbour in space. F. R. Stephenron The Supernova Story. By Lrturence A, Marschalt. Pp. 236. Plenum, New York, 1988. lJS$22.95
The occurrence in February 1987 of a gigantic explosion in the Large Magellan Cloud, right next to our own galaxy, was an event awaited for nearly four centuries. it motivated L. A. Marschall to take us for a marveiious journey among the world of stars and their exuberant death as supernovae. He tells us how such events, described in thousand-year-old records, had been watched by early Chinese astrologers. He gives us a sense of the historica importance of the 16th century supernova, as a disproof of Aristotle’s belief in a perfect immutable world. He gets us acquainted with the modern heroes (with perhaps a small bias in favour of the American ones) of the astronomical world such as the Reverend Evans from the United Church in Hazfebrook, Australia, who beats all computers in discovering new supernovae in nearby galaxies. This very lively book is quite complete, explainmg all salient scientific aspecfs, from the Formation of stars up to the ultimate explosion, and well demented. The author, a popuIar writer and astronomer, went to live among the specialists during several months. He has a high sense of rigour, seeking always for the right physical explanation, simple and easily understandable.
Atlas of Uranus. By Garry Hunt and Patrick Moore. Pp 36. Cambridge University Press. 1989. f 15.00, U$$24.95.
Uranus was discovered by William Herschel in 1781, using a reflecting tetescope no more than 15.75 cm in diameter whieb he had made himseif. But Uranus is not easy to