Voyage Into Astronomy Second Edition: We Are Not Alone In the Universe

Author: Dr. Fred M. Johnson ISBN 10: 1-936360-51-9 ISBN 13: 978-1-936360-51-2 Copyright Date Ed:  June 09, 2015 Pages: 344 Binding Information: Casebound Size: 8.5 ✕ 11 Inches (US) This interdisciplinary text book approach to astronomy and forensic science includes unique subjects that are not found in any other book such as: It challenges old established concepts. It encourages creative thinking. It relates to the origin of life on Earth and in the Universe. We are not alone. It discusses, in detail, the Global Warming phenomenon. It explains the formulation and evolution of our solar system. It discovers a novel energy mechanism inside our Sun and inside all of the planets. This turns out to be a major surprise. It covers the important topic of energy and its relationship to our Sun, which is responsible for driving all the important cycles needed for life, (e.g. the water cycle). It determines the steps required to identify an important life-precursor molecule (MgTBP) in the Interstellar Medium. It describes, in detail, the origin of our Moon. It illuminates other dramatic events in the universe that indicate similar solar system developments (e.g. Novas) and dramatic disasters (Supernovas). It describes and illuminates astronomical observations by means of simple and easily understood laws of physics. It covers all the important topics that one expects to find in an introductory astronomy course, in a more readable, user friendly format than other astronomy texts. It is suitable for both senior level High School as well as college courses; it will also make an important contribution in the education of the general public. It is a book that conveys the true spirit of science: its methodology and its mode of inquiry by utilizing the forensic technique throughout. Table of Contents Preface Introduction Chapter 1. Perspective--Mini-Trips Around the Earth 1.1 An Evening Outing Under the Stars 1.2 Project Hindsight 1.3 A Look Around Us 1.4 Coordinate Systems 1.5 Synodic Period and Sidereal Period 1.6 Foucault Pendulum Chapter 2. Voyage to the Planets--Bode-Titius Law 2.1 Solar System Planets 2.2 Bode-Titius Law 2.3 Satellites of the Planets 2.4 Kuiper Belt 2.5 The Oort Cloud Chapter 3. Trips Into the Distant Past--The Age of Brahe, Galileo, Kepler, and Newton 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Stonehenge 3.3 The Greeks 3.4 Coming out of the Dark Ages 3.5 Planetary Orbits 3.6 Some Simple but Important Laws of Physics A. Conservation of Linear Momentum B. The Conservation of Angular Momentum C. Conservation of Mechanical Energy 3.6 The Calendar A. The Julian Calendar B. The Gregorian Calendar C. Other Calendars 1. The Chinese Calendar 2. Aztec Calendar 3. The Julian Day Chapter 4. Lunatic Effects--Precession, Tides, Bioclocks 4.1 Precession of the Equinoxes 4.2 Tides--The Rise and Fall of the Oceans A. Summary of Tides 4.3 Biological Clocks and the Moon Chapter 5. The Great Escape: Atmospheres--Missions Possible: Mars, Venus, And Mercury 5.1 Escape Velocities 5.2 Gases 5.3 Missions Possible A. Apollo B. Lunar Rock Analysis C. Short Rocket Flights 5.4 Mission to Mars A. The Mariner Series B. Surface Features on Mars C. Atmosphere D. The Viking Mission E. Vikings 1 and 2 Land on Mars F. Following Missions 5.5 Views of Venus and Mercury 5.6 Mercury Encounter 5.7 Postscript Chapter 6. Meteorites, Comets, Organic Matter and Universal Chemistry 6.1 Introduction 6.2 The Great Meteor Crater Near Winslow, Arizona A. Discovery of Crater B. Smaller Size Meteorites C. Stones from Heaven Fell at Allende, Mexico D. Daily Bombardment E. The Impact Energy F. Near-Earth Object Detection G. Asteroid Redirect Mission 6.3 Organic Matter in Carbonaceous Chondrites A. Simulation of Production of Porphyrins in the Laboratory B. DEBs 6.4 Comets and Chondrites A. Tentative Conclusion (In the form of a question) B. Rosetta and Philae 6.5 The Chemical Elements A. The Periodic Table B. Chemical Elements: Itemized 6.6 The Precious Source of Organic Molecules--Oil Chapter 7. The Active, Evolving Earth--Tectonics 7.1 Introduction 7.2 The Atomic Elements of the Earth's Crust A. The Earth in Evolution, Plate Tectonics-Continental Drift 7.3 Abundances of Rare Metals in the Earth 7.4 Nuclear Time Clocks 7.5 Geothermal Temperature Gradient 7.6 The Earth's Crust 7.7 The Earth Expansion 7.8 Plate Tectonics and Its Relevance to Astronomy Chapter 8. Our Sun 8.1 The Sun Viewed as a Star 8.2 Electromagnetic Radiation from the Sun A. Solar Wind B. The Constituents of the Solar Flare Particles 8.3 Elements on the Sun 8.4 Sun's Surface under High Magnification 8.5 The Sun's Prior History Chapter 9. The Source--(Sun's) Energy Makes It Work 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Energy Storage 9.3 Energy Utilization A. Energy Conversion B. Thermodynamics 9.4 Solar Energy A. Carbon Cycle B. Hydrological Cycle C. Hydrocarbons 9.5 Fission and Fusion 9.6 Geothermal Energy 9.7 Solar Energy Is Our Limit A. Other Sun-Driven Cycles 9.8 Conclusion Chapter 10. Stellar Magnitudes and Stellar Brightness, Black Body, E.M. Radiation 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Black Body Radiation 10.3 Electromagnetic Spectrum Chapter 11. Light Secrets of the Atom (Atomic Spectra)--Stellar Zip Codes--H-R Diagram 11.1 Light Fantastic: Spectral Analysis of Stars A. Instrumentation 11.2 Stellar Zip Codes A. Spectral Classification--The H.R. Diagram 11.3 H-R Diagram Chapter 12. The Stars: A Hot Trip Into A Live Star 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Forensic Type Criticism 12.3 Stellar Rotation 12.4 Star Clans 12.5 The Oddball Stars 12.6 Novae 12.7 Supernovae 12.8 Galactic Supernova Chapter 13. The Interstellar Medium 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Interstellar Molecules (Some Clues for Start of Life?) A. The Interstellar Porphyrin Discovery B. The Microwave Minimolecules C. Mysterious Infra-red Interstellar Emission Signals‚ÄìIdentified 1. Postscript 13.3 The Motions of Interstellar Clouds A. More Information on Interstellar Molecules B. Interstellar Polarization Chapter 14. Pulsars--The Magic Crab Nebula 14.1 Introduction Chapter 15. Doppler Effect--Z Crazy Quasars 15.1 The Doppler Effect 15.2 z Crazy Quasars 15.3 Quasars 15.4 Anticlimax 15.5 Summary Chapter 16. Voyage to Other Galaxies 16.1 Introduction Chapter 17. Universal Distances, Red Hot Topics Such as I.R. Astronomy, Radio Astronomy, X-rays, Neutrinos, Tools of Astronomy 17.1 Universal Distances No. 1 Trigonometric Parallax No. 2 Spectroscopic Parallax No. 3 Cepheid Variables 17.2 Galaxies or Clusters of Galaxies No. 4 Sizes of Objects No. 5 Red Shift--Hubble Law 17.3 Radio Astronomy 17.4 Cosmic Rays A. The Sun's Cosmic Rays B. 3¬∞K Background Radiation C. X-ray Sources D. Black Holes? 17.5 The Solar Neutrinos Dilemma 17.6 I.R. (Infrared) Astronomy 17.7 The Operation of the Telescope 17.8 Optical Telescopes 17.9 Radio Telescopes Chapter 18. The Mysterious Cosmos 18.1 Cosmology A. Beginning of the Scientific Era 18.2 The Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries 18.3 Historical Summary 18.4 Some Great Moments in the Recent History of Astronomy 18.5 Summary of Cosmology as Perceived by Present Astrophysicists 18.6 The Origin of the Solar System 18.7 A New Cosmology-The Origin of the Solar System (A Different Hypothesis) A. The Satellite Systems of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus B. The Galilean Satellite Surprises C. Jupiter: Planet or Star? D. A Missing Link--The Planet-Star Connection 18.8 Some Remarks About Energy Sources A. Natural Fission Reactor on Earth 18.9 The Pluto-Neptune Connection and Its Interloper 18.10 The Saga of the Planet Neptune 18.11 The Satellites of the Planets 18.12 The Unsuspected Flip-Flops and Other Astronomical Anomalies 18.13 Sunspots 18.14 Comparison with Galactic Phenomena 18.15 A. The Development of the Galaxy B. The Important Missing Link C. Moon's Magnetism D. Moon's Relevance to Life (and Some Philosophy) E. Other Astronomical Phenomena Interpreted Via Johnson's Model: Neutron Stars and Supernovas F. Interstellar Molecules G. Extinction and Reddening H. The Earth I. The New Cosmological Picture‚--The Origin of Life in the Solar System 18.16 Major Riddles in Cosmology A. The Sun: The Sun's Internal Structure and the Origin of the Solar System B. The Earth Moon System C. The Neptune Triton System D. The Earth's Internal Energy Source E. Sun vs. Planets F. Electrostatic Forces a l√† Coulomb (1736‚Äì1806) 18.17 The Origin of the Solar System A. The Galaxy B. Gravity C. Is Dark Matter Real? D. The Acceleration in the Expansion of Four Supernova Remnants E. The Sun F. Corollary G. Cosmology (A Final Comment) H. Summary 18.19 Conclusion Postscript Appendix A. Compilation of Some Physics and the New Paradigm in Cosmology A.1 Thermodynamics A.2 The (Unproven) Big Bang Hypothesis A.3 Black Holes A.4 Comments on General Relativity (GR) A.5 Entanglement A.6 Conclusion Technical Notes--The Nitty Gritty Section TN.0 Introduction TN.1 Tech. Note No. 1: Simple Mathematics Review TN.2 Tech. Note No. 2: Fundamental Constants and Astronomical Data TN.3 Tech. Note No. 3: Foucault Pendulum TN.4 Tech. Note No. 4: The Inverse Square Law TN.5 Tech. Note No. 5: Properties of Ellipse and Planetary Motion TN.6 Tech. Note No. 6: Energy, Work, Conversion Units TN.7 Tech. Note No. 7: Useful Numbers, Energy, Land Areas, etc. TN.8 Tech. Note No. 8: Supplement to Energy TN.9 Tech. Note No. 9: Heats of Combustion TN.10 Tech. Note No. 10: Water--The Magic Fluid of Life A. Solubility of Water TN.11 Tech. Note No. 11: Sun's Luminosity and the Solar Constant TN.12 Tech. Note No. 12: Simple Log Tables to Calculate Absolute Magnitude (For Chapter 10) TN.13 Tech. Note No. 13: Definitions of Some Angles. (See parallax application, Chapters 17 and 10.) TN.14 Tech. Note No. 14: Summary of equations, assumptions and definitions of our INSIDE STAR TRIP (Strictly X-rated) TN.15 Tech. Note No. 15: The Sun's Own Energy (for Chapter 12) TN.16 Tech. Note No. 16: Einstein's Special Relativity TN.17 Tech. Note No. 17: Red Shift TN.18 Tech. Note No. 18: The Gravitational Red Shift TN.19 Tech. Note No. 19: Calculate the Radius of a Neutron Star TN.20 Tech. Note No. 20 TN.21 Tech. Note No. 21 TN.22 Tech. Note No. 22 TN.22 Tech. Note No. 22: Exercise: Crab Nebula (continued) TN.23 Tech. Note No. 23: Physical Properties of the DEBs TN.24 Tech. Note No. 24: The Earth (See Chapter 7) TN.25 Tech. Note No. 25: Periodic Comets TN.27 Tech. Note No. 27: (Johann)2 Bode-Titius Law TN.28 Tech. Note No. 28: Pulsars Laboratory and Home Exercises Exercise No. 1: Basic Coordinate Systems Getting Oriented Repeat of Lab Experiment No. 1 Questions and Exercises Exercise No. 2: Demonstrate Precession of The Equinoxes Exercise No. 3: The 24 Hour 50 Minute Time Between Two Tides Exercise No. 4: The Simple Pendulum Exercise No. 5: Direct Measurement of the Acceleration of Gravity Exercise No. 6: Kepler's Second Law Exercise No. 7: Verification of Kepler's Laws Exercise No. 8: Demonstrate Angle of Elongation for Mercury and Venus Exercise No. 9: Spectroscopy and Optics Back to Spectroscopy Exercises Exercise No. 10: Star Tracker or Moon Tracker Operation of Homemade Telescope Exercise No. 11: The Moon Exercise No. 12: Moon's Rotation on Its Axis Exercise No. 13: The Motion of the Moon on the Celestial Sphere Exercise No. 14: Tidal Effects of Sun and Moon Exercise No. 15 Exercise No. 16 Exercise No. 17: Construction of a Sundial Equation of Time Exercise No. 18: The Sun--Applications in the Use of Solar Energy Exercise No. 19 Exercise No. 20 Exercise No. 21 Exercise No. 22: The Energy-Food-Labor Cycle Exercise No. 23 Appendix D. Heavenly Figures Appendix E. Glossary of Technical Terms Index