The International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union

Author: Johannes Andersen

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-02-20

Total Pages: 383

ISBN-13: 331996965X

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The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was founded in 1919, in the wake of the First World War, together with its sister Unions in related natural sciences. It will thus turn 100 years in 2019. Written by a mixed team of insiders and outsiders, this book presents the IAU in the changing context of the historical, scientific and technological development of astronomy during the past 100 years. While much important scientific progress took place already before 1945, the book naturally focuses on the accelerating evolution during the second half of the century. In the past few decades, the previously narrow IAU focus on organising professional astronomy has broadened to include societally relevant activities such as addressing the hazard of asteroid impacts, the planetary status of Pluto in the Solar System, and the hugely successful International Year of Astronomy. Most recently, it is spearheading a combination of science literacy and public outreach. The book will be of interest to professional astronomers as well as an astronomically interested general audience. The book features live personal interviews with as many of the key actors as still possible.

Astronomy in Focus XXX
Astronomy in Focus XXX

Author: Maria Teresa Lago

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2020-04-16

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781108488730

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Astronomy in Focus presents the most relevant contributions from the Focus Meetings included during the XXX IAU General Assembly held in Vienna, Austria, from 20-31 August 2018. Focus meetings are proposed by groups of scientists with aims to promote cross-disciplinary interactions while maintaining a well-defined focus on a particular topic. They usually address a new scientific area or an emerging field that is not well, or in some cases not at all, represented under the IAU's existing Commission structure. The XXX IAU General Assembly included six scientific symposia, a special symposium focused on the IAU's centenary and fifteen Focus Meetings. The latter comprised twelve scientific Focus Meetings plus two on the mission and activities of the IAU Offices of Astronomy Outreach and Astronomy for Development and the final one promoted by the Working Group on Global Coordination of Ground and Space Astrophysics.

History of the IAU
History of the IAU

Author: Adriaan Blaauw

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 311

ISBN-13: 9401109788

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This History has its origin in a suggestion, made in September 1990 by former IAU General Secretary Derek McNally, who felt "that a 75 year history of the Union was needed before the col lective memory of those who knew the Union before the Second World War vanished. It would then be a preparatory volume to a centennial history in 2019. " Indeed, of those who knew the Union that long ago, few are still with us. Six years ago, at Baltimore on August 2, 1988, listening and reminiscing at the Inaugural Ceremonies of the Union's 20th General Assembly, I realized that it was almost exactly half a century ago that, at the age of 24, I attended the Inaugurations at my "first" Assembly: on August 3, 1938 in Stockholm. Now, in 1994, this is almost 56 years ago, three quarters of the Union's age. Only vague recollections - no better than that -lead me back to this event, just before World War II. And so, this is not a history based on recollection, far from it. Recollection was helpful in that it allowed me, better perhaps than a younger author, to appreciate circumstances under which the letters and reports which form the basis for this History were written. The account is largely based on archival documents, collected from a wide variety of sources.

Education and Heritage in the Era of Big Data in Astronomy (IAU S367)
Education and Heritage in the Era of Big Data in Astronomy (IAU S367)

Author: Rosa M. Ros

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2022-03-24

Total Pages: 544

ISBN-13: 9781108490801

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For thousands of years people have looked to the skies to better understand the universe and our place within it. Crucially it is the role of teachers and experts to make astronomical concepts accessible to the next generation, and to pass on our collective knowledge for others to build on. This volume brings together contributions from modern pioneers in astronomy education, as presented at the online IAU Symposium 367 on 'Education and Heritage in the Era of Big Data in Astronomy'. Topics covered include cultural astronomy and heritage, technological advances, citizen science, inclusivity initiatives, interdisciplinary science education and open astronomy. Particular focus is given to how emerging technologies provide new opportunities to connect with budding astronomers. Many of the techniques discussed can be applied by educators at different levels and in a range of settings, from school classrooms and lecture halls to informal public spaces such as museums and planetariums.

Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac
Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac

Author: United States Naval Observatory. Nautical Almanac Office

Publisher: University Science Books

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 786

ISBN-13: 9781891389450

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This well-schooled text provides a detailed description of how to perform practical astronomy or spherical astronomy. It is an authoritative source on astronomical phenomena and calendars.

African Cultural Astronomy
African Cultural Astronomy

Author: Jarita Holbrook

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-01-01

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 1402066392

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This is the first scholarly collection of articles focused on the cultural astronomy of the African continent. It weaves together astronomy, anthropology, and Africa and it includes African myths and legends about the sky, alignments to celestial bodies found at archaeological sites and at places of worship, rock art with celestial imagery, and scientific thinking revealed in local astronomy traditions including ethnomathematics and the creation of calendars.

Transactions of the International Astronomical Union
Transactions of the International Astronomical Union

Author: Derek McNally

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 937

ISBN-13: 9400904975

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The XXth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union was held in Baltimore, Maryland USA from August 02 to 11, 1988. The Inaugural Ceremony on August 02 was held in the presence of representatives of the United States Governn:ent, t~e S~ate of Maryland, the City of Baltimore and the host institution -the Johns Hopkins Umverslty- as well as of the National and Local Organising Committees. The scientific programme maintained the high standards of the Union and the scientific proceedings may be found either in this volume or in volume 8 of Highlights of Astronomy. The scientific programme was organised by the 40 Commission Presidents and coordinated by the General Secretary (1985-1988), Dr. J.-P. Swings. The local arrangements were effectively made through the National Organising Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. F. Drake and the Local Organising Committee under the co-Chairmanship of Prof. A. Oavidsen and Dr. R. Giacconi. The smooth day to day operation of the meeting resulted from the incomparable dedication of Karen Weinstock and Harold Screen.

Textbook on Spherical Astronomy
Textbook on Spherical Astronomy

Author: W. M. Smart

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1977-07-07

Total Pages: 452

ISBN-13: 9780521291804

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This new revision of a standard work gives a general but comprehensive introduction to positional astronomy. Useful for researchers as well as undergraduates.

The Cambridge Concise History of Astronomy
The Cambridge Concise History of Astronomy

Author: Michael Hoskin

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1999-03-18

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 1316342395

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Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences, and one which has repeatedly led to fundamental changes in our view of the world. This book covers the history of our study of the cosmos from prehistory through to a survey of modern astronomy and astrophysics (sure to be of interest to future historians of twentieth-century astronomy). It does not attempt to cover everything, but deliberately concentrates on the important themes and topics. These include stellar astronomy in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, at the time subordinate to the study of the solar system, but the source of many important concepts in modern astronomy, and the Copernican revolution, which led to the challenge of ancient authorities in many areas, not just astronomy. This is an essential text for students of the history of science and for students of astronomy who require a historical background to their studies.