History of the IAU

History of the IAU PDF Author: Adriaan Blaauw
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401109788
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 311

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Book Description
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.

History of the IAU

History of the IAU PDF Author: Adriaan Blaauw
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401109788
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 311

Get Book Here

Book Description
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.

The International Astronomical Union

The International Astronomical Union PDF Author: Johannes Andersen
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331996965X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 375

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Book Description
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.

History of Astronomy

History of Astronomy PDF Author: Suzanne Débarbat
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Astronomy
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description


Astronomers as Diplomats

Astronomers as Diplomats PDF Author: Thierry Montmerle
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 303098625X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 524

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Book Description
This book illuminates a few highly significant events in history in which astronomers have helped keep contacts between astronomers of different states in moments of international political tensions or even crises. The chapters, written by 20 international authors, focus on four periods where astronomers were particularly active in international relations: 1. The WWI period, the epoch of the creation of the IAU, in the context of the simultaneous creation of other scientific unions. The book also singles out the important role of A.S. Eddington and his network “across forbidden borders”. 2. The Cold war period and its consequences, when several countries were divided between opposite blocs. “The China crisis” is told here from different viewpoints by Chinese astronomers, both from the mainland and from Taiwan, in parallel with the evolution of astronomy in South and North Korea. Germany’s twisted path in its membership of the IAU, from its admission in 1951 to its reunification in 1991 is shown as another example. 3. The book then highlights a third period, when radio astronomers, in particular, were very active in “building bridges” between East and West. It also tells the history of how the apparently innocuous issue of the “lunar nomenclature” became extremely sensitive. The part ends on two chapters on Russian robotic missions and lunar surface features as well on the Russian participation in the “International Virtual Observatory” project. 4. The fourth part reports for the first time on the “hidden story” of the relations between the IAU and the United Nations after the “Moon race” when the United Nations decided to challenge the IAU’s authority on “extraterrestrial names”. The final chapter reviews how twenty years later UNESCO and the IAU had become strong partners in the difficult, but highly successful organization of the International Year of Astronomy (2002-2009), and of the “Astronomy and World Heritage” intitiative (2008).

Star-names and Their Meanings

Star-names and Their Meanings PDF Author: Richard Hinckley Allen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Constellations
Languages : id
Pages : 598

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Book Description


Under One Sky: The IAU Centenary Symposium (IAU S349)

Under One Sky: The IAU Centenary Symposium (IAU S349) PDF Author: Christiaan Sterken
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781108471596
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 500

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Book Description
The IAU Centenary Symposium was held at its General Assembly in Vienna in 2018. It starts with plenary lectures, by Malcolm Longair on 100 years of astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology, and by Catherine Cesarsky, who reflects on a century of IAU history. There follows reminiscences from past IAU presidents and general secretaries and presentations on various aspects of IAU history, including some of the famous astronomers who served the Union. The volume then examines the relations between the IAU and different geographical regions, including the issues relating to the Central Powers after World War I, and the "China crisis", when China withdrew from the Union in 1960 and was absent for two decades. The IAU's internal structures and organization are reviewed, along with trends in astronomical publishing and astronomical education. IAU S349 finishes with a vision of the IAU's future from its current president, Ewine van Dishoeck.

Historical and Statistical Information Respecting the History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States Collected and Prepared Under the Direction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Per Act of Congress of March 3d, 1847 by Henry R. Schoolcraft

Historical and Statistical Information Respecting the History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States Collected and Prepared Under the Direction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Per Act of Congress of March 3d, 1847 by Henry R. Schoolcraft PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 874

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Historical and Statistical Information Respecting the History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States

Historical and Statistical Information Respecting the History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States PDF Author: Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 878

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Book Description


Science International

Science International PDF Author: Frank Greenaway
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521580151
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description
Science International is the history of a worldwide organization of scientists, now involving thousands of participants, which was started a century ago when a few visionaries founded the International Association of Academies (1899-1919). This was succeeded by an International Research Council, which, in 1932, became the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU). The initiative to have an international arena for scientists survived two global wars, as well as immense economic and social change in the twentieth century. This history describes how national academies and international unions of scientists from specific disciplines learned to work together, and shows how from these alliances sprang great co-operative projects such as the International Geophysical Year and the International Biological Programme, as well as the creation of a global scientific organization directed to the study of the entire planet and prospects for the human race.

Pluto Confidential

Pluto Confidential PDF Author: Stephen P. Maran
Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.
ISBN: 1935251856
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
When the International Astronomical Union (IAU) adopted a new definition of a "planet" in August 2006, Pluto became a dwarf planet, drawing a divisive line in science and public opinions. The controversy of whether Pluto is a planet continues years later, and passion about the decision remains, pitting scientist against scientist and invoking sentiments and nostalgia from the rest of the world. With the IAU definition, the future of space objects is forever changed. Learn how this resolution came to be and what it means for astronomy, who implemented it and who is against it, and whether it's the first or millionth time the world's view of astronomy has rotated on its axis. Written by an astronomer and educator who voted for the IAU resolution—Laurence A. Marschall—and a NASA scientist who supported the opposing petition that resulted—Stephen P. Maran—Pluto Confidential leaves no perspective out and no asteroid unturned in the Pluto debate. A telescopic look inside the book: • History of planetary disputes, including why Jupiter almost wasn't acknowledged • What Bode's Law is and how it has influenced observations • Who discovered Pluto and how it was named • The Kuiper Belt and its role in what it means to be a planet • Beyond Pluto and the eight distinguished planets