Field Notes

So, my latest endeavor is to improve my understanding of the mathematical aspect of astronomy.  I have armed myself with the best possible tools, books.  As I started to do my review and learning, it really hit me how little I use advanced mathematics in my day to day life.  Ugh.  I have collected the following books:

• Astronomical Formulae for Calculators
• Astrophysics with a PC
• Astronomical Algorithms
• Celestial Basic
• Math for Amateur Astronomers
• Practical Astronomy with your Calculator

Wish me luck.  I will blog about my experience as I go.  If you know of other good books, please chime in and let me know.  If you are really good at math and would like to help, let me know!

This has got to be one of the most wicked cool amateur hobby events I have ever seen. My Dad was an engineer on Apollo 11. I wish he had lived to see this.

National Geographic Society Logo

Author’s Comment:  Hello all.  Below is the review I wrote for National Geographic on a new publication called The Science Book. The opportunity to write this review is because of my friend Jeff Medkeff, “The Blue Collar Scientist.“  After Jeff passed away his wife asked if I would consider writing the review on this and a couple other books.  It is my honor and privilege.  Thank you Karen for this wonderful opportunity.

The Science Book:
Everything you need to know about the world and how it works
ISBN:  978-1-4262-0337-4
By National Geographic Society
$35.00 Hard Copy
Reviewed by Mark DeVito

There are countless science references available today.  With the Internet readily accessible and most people looking to “digital” sources for information, it is a difficult feat to produce a useful, up to date, and engaging science reference book.  The National Geographic Society however has continued its wonderful tradition of producing books unlike any others.  The Science Book is no exception.  This masterwork presents current theories, understandings and historical perspectives of multiple science disciplines authored by experts in each field.

In a passionate forward by Professor Marshall Brain, the founder of the website “How Stuff Works,” Mr. Brain expresses his love of science and how it touches each and every one of us in our daily lives.  As someone who is absolutely passionate about science, I found Mr. Brain’s comments to be fun and motivating.  In the 21st century science is all around us, in everything we touch and is deeply embedded in our culture, as evidenced by the number of people inseparably attached to their iPods, cell phones, GPS navigators, and laptops.  Where did all this technology come from?  What are the origins of the world we live in and universe we inhabit?  What is on the horizon of science?  If you have ever wondered about any of these questions, The Science Book is the perfect solution.

As an amateur astronomer, I am most intrigued and impressed with the section of the book devoted to the “Universe;” however, the authors do not neglect the other disciplines in the sections titled, “The Earth,” “Biology,” “Chemistry,” “Physics and Technology,” and “Mathematics.”  Within each of these amazingly illustrated sections, the authors present complex topics in clear and easy language, relatively speaking.  Each section subsequently breaks down into sub-sections covering many areas of science.  The individual topics often include historical information, such as the contributions of Galileo to astronomy, Nicholas Steno the “father of fossils” to biology, and Marie Curie to physics.  Not only do the individual topics present facts but also tell, as Fraser Cain, one of the moderators of my favorite podcast Astronomy Cast says,“What we know and how we know what we know.”

Of particular note is the exceptional organization of the information.  Immediately into the book the reader is presented with a “how to use this book” guide.  The individual sections are color coded for quick identification.  The layouts of the pages are reminiscent of a web page with colored tabs, title bars, page introductions, and informational boxes.  These boxes included milestone boxes outlining personalities and scientists related to the topic; basic boxes list key topic facts; in focus boxes provide more in depth facts about themes and subjects that enhance the main topic; issues to solve boxes identify issues and problems related to the topic that challenge science and society; and practice boxes give practical application examples.  All of this information is beautifully illustrated and emphasized with amazing photos and graphics for which National Geographic is famous.

This book is a wonderful addition to the shelves of a personal library, school classroom or library, and particularly the hands of any child with an interest in science.  To quote Mr. Brain’s forward, “Science is incredibly, unbelievably, immeasurably cool, and I hope you enjoy it.”  I couldn’t have said it better myself.

As I traveled home on the commuter train tonight I had an Einstein moment.  No, I didn’t solve the grand unification theory.   Much to my and all the passengers dismay, the A/C was broken on the train.  It was 90+ degrees today so needless to say the train was a bit uncomfortable.  However, unlike the great majority of the passengers who choose to be miserable, I set out to make the best of it by reading David Levy’s The Sky.  As we traveled the 1+ hour path from Washington DC to Fredericksburg, VA I noticed something odd, there was an occasional breeze.  I thought, hmm, they must have opened the doors to get some air moving, but they had not.  Again, at each stop I noticed the breeze.  Then, BOOM!  I thought ah, physics.  I realized that we were in a closed system.  I was connected to the train via my seat.  The air around me was not.  As the train traveled and began its breaking process, I and the train shared the same negative acceleration.  (Yes, I realize there is a slight difference as my connection to the train is based on the friction and gravity holding me to my seat but the difference is negligible.)  So back to our story.  As we slowed the air around us was continuing at its constant speed until it collided with the wall of the train.  Now, I am sure there is a fluid dynamics problem in this for the turbidity of the air but long story short a breeze.  I would time leaning out of my seat at each stop to feel the pleasant cooling breeze because I stopped to think about the world around me.  It is so much fun to connect with the natural world around you.

This experience reminded me of the presentation by Neil deGrasse Tyson I attended 2 weeks ago.  He stressed the importance of understanding physics and science because it impacts our understanding of the world around us.

As I got off the train I phoned my wife and described the scenario ending the conversation with, “When I get home, tell me if you determine why I felt a breeze.”  She’s smart.  She got it.  The fun part was explaining it to our 8 year old, who also figured it out with minimal assistance.  We then took the opportunity to relate it to Einstein and Special Relativity which describes that all uniform motion is relative to an observers state of motion.  I thought that I must save this example for the next EPO or lecture I do.

GOD I LOVE PHYSICS!