Astronomy at the Frontiers of Science

Preface.-Part 1: ASTRONOMY AND PHYSICS.-The Universe as laboratory for high energy physics.-Standard candles in astronomy.-High energy cosmic ray & neutrino astronomy.-Interdisciplinary aspects of high energy  astrophysics.-Gravitational wave astronomy.-PART 2: ASTRONOMY IN SOCIETY.-A history of observatory sciences and techniques.-Astronomy and technical progress.-Up the decade! Predictions, prescriptions and international collaborations by the American astronomical (and other) communities.-Building a strong, unified European astronomy.-The future of space astronomy.-PART 3: THE TOOLS OF OBSERVATION AND THE PROFESSION OF ASTRONOMER.-Small telescopes and planets.-Large and very large telescopes.-The challenge of optics in future extremely large telescopes.-Virtual observations.-Doing astronomy at a museum.-Being an astronomer: a testimony.-PART 4: ASTRONOMY AT THE FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE.-Astronomy versus astrology.-Fundamental issues and problems of cosmology.-The Earth and other Solar-system bodies.-Exobiology: an example of  interdisciplinarity at work.-Index.

From the reviews:“Lasota (Paris Institute of Astrophysics, France) has compiled a very eclectic and engaging mix of essays on astronomy-related topics. … This is a unique book that fills a niche rarely addressed by other works. … anyone with an interest in astronomy will find it a good read. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries.” (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 49 (9), May, 2012)Aus den Rezensionen: “... Ein Buch über Interdisziplinarität regt dazu an, selbst interdisziplinärer zu denken. Wer bereit ist, diesen mühsamen Weg zu gehen und sich nicht nur für astronomische Ergebnisse, sondern auch für die Astronomie und ihre Vernetzungen selbst interessiert, sollte dieses Buch lesen. Es lohnt sich.“ (MIRCO SANER, in: Sterne und Weltraum, 2012, Issue 6, S. 104 f.)