Discovering the Universe: From the Stars to the Planets engages students with an inquiry-based exploration of the universe and the scientific process. Developed with a “big picture” approach, the text first explains how the stars, the galaxies, and the entire universe formed, and then discusses planets and other components of our solar system. Students follow this natural conceptual progression within a proven learning method designed to address misconceptions and build a deep understanding of science and the world around us.
Discovering the Universe is the bestselling brief text for descriptive one-term astronomy courses (especially those with no mathematics prerequisites). Carried along by the book's vibrant main theme, "the process of scientific discovery," the Ninth Edition furthers the book’s legacy for presenting concepts clearly and accurately while providing all the pedagogical tools to make the learning process memorable.
This must-read text/reference introduces the fundamental concepts of convolutional neural networks (ConvNets), offering practical guidance on using libraries to implement ConvNets in applications of traffic sign detection and classification. The work presents techniques for optimizing the computational efficiency of ConvNets, as well as visualization techniques to better understand the underlying processes. The proposed models are also thoroughly evaluated from different perspectives, using exploratory and quantitative analysis. Topics and features: explains the fundamental concepts behind training linear classifiers and feature learning; discusses the wide range of loss functions for training binary and multi-class classifiers; illustrates how to derive ConvNets from fully connected neural networks, and reviews different techniques for evaluating neural networks; presents a practical library for implementing ConvNets, explaining how to use a Python interface for the library to create and assess neural networks; describes two real-world examples of the detection and classification of traffic signs using deep learning methods; examines a range of varied techniques for visualizing neural networks, using a Python interface; provides self-study exercises at the end of each chapter, in addition to a helpful glossary, with relevant Python scripts supplied at an associated website. This self-contained guide will benefit those who seek to both understand the theory behind deep learning, and to gain hands-on experience in implementing ConvNets in practice. As no prior background knowledge in the field is required to follow the material, the book is ideal for all students of computer vision and machine learning, and will also be of great interest to practitioners working on autonomous cars and advanced driver assistance systems.
The remarkably realistic planetarium software allows students in urban areas to conduct observational activities. The workbook, written specifically to accompany both Starry Night and the textbook, connects text passages with software exercises.
An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics is a comprehensive, well-organized and engaging text covering every major area of modern astrophysics, from the solar system and stellar astronomy to galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, and cosmology. Designed to provide students with a working knowledge of modern astrophysics, this textbook is suitable for astronomy and physics majors who have had a first-year introductory physics course with calculus. Featuring a brief summary of the main scientific discoveries that have led to our current understanding of the universe; worked examples to facilitate the understanding of the concepts presented in the book; end-of-chapter problems to practice the skills acquired; and computational exercises to numerically model astronomical systems, the second edition of An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics is the go-to textbook for learning the core astrophysics curriculum as well as the many advances in the field.
"What if?" questions stimulate people to think in new ways, to refresh old ideas, and to make new discoveries. In What If the Earth Had Two Moons, Neil Comins leads us on a fascinating ten-world journey as we explore what our planet would be like under alternative astronomical conditions. In each case, the Earth would be different, often in surprising ways. The title chapter, for example, gives us a second moon orbiting closer to Earth than the one we have now. The night sky is a lot brighter, but that won't last forever. Eventually the moons collide, with one extra-massive moon emerging after a period during which Earth sports a Saturn-like ring. This and nine and other speculative essays provide us with insights into the Earth as it exists today, while shedding new light on the burgeoning search for life on planets orbiting other stars. Appealing to adult and young adult alike, this book is a fascinating journey through physics and astronomy, and follows on the author's previous bestseller, What if the Moon Didn't Exist?, with completely new scenarios backed by the latest astronomical research.
Both retrograde planets and intercepted signs are included in this well-written, in-depth volume. Joanne defines how they differ and what they indicate in the chart. She also introduces new ideas about retrograde planets and intercepted signs, offering fresh insights for interpretation in these sometimes overlooked areas. Retrograde planets and intercepted signs make the chart unique, and each describes the powers and potentials waiting to be unleashed in your life. In some way you will stand apart from the crowd with an exceptional life that is outside the norm and as unique to you as your birth chart. Not everyone is born with such an outstanding opportunity to realize their individual potential. Included is extensive delineation of intercepted signs in the houses, the six sign polarities, the elements, duplicated signs, phases and planetary pairs. Chapters are also devoted to relocation charts, transits in intercepted signs, the importance of environment vs. destiny and various house systems. In addition to a thorough explanation of how planets retrograde, Joanne gives detailed interpretation of the meaning of retrograde planets in the natal chart and their position in the context of the eight stages of cyclic unfoldment, six of which fall into the retrograde zone. This placement specifically defines how a retrograde planet operates in your life. Also thoroughly explained is the meaning of retrograde planets in their transit cycle, and the significance of a retrograde progressed planet.
A history and comprehensive guide to the pictorial symbols of the ancient system of the thirty-six Astrological Decans, with notes on symbolism and astrological interpretation.
