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Authored by ESO senior advisor Claus Madsen, the present book comprises 576 action-packed pages of ESO history and dramatic stories about the people behind the organisation. This is the ultimate historical account about ESO and its telescopes in the southern hemisphere, but also about a truly remarkable European success story in research. Spanning the range from the first telescopes to the future platforms of the next generation, it shows how the improvement of the telescopes leads to a continuously changing view of the Universe. With 150 photos and illustrations. Produced especially for ESO's 50th anniversary.
Astronomy’s Quest for Sharp Images by Pierre Léna Pdf
Since the 1960s, astrophysical discoveries have blossomed, due to the emergence of powerful and new observational tools. Among them, a fantastic improvement of the sharpness of astronomical images, obtained with ground based optical telescopes, has been the result of two revolutions: adaptive optics and optical interferometry. Written for a general audience, interwoven with fascinating details about the evolution of vision and optics, this book tells a personal story of these revolutions in observational astronomy, born two centuries ago and blossoming in the past fifty years. With the construction of the Very Large Telescope in Chile, Europe played a leading role where young scientists, joining creative astronomers and engineers, have developed a superb creativity. Today, incredibly sharp images of exoplanetary systems and black hole environments are obtained and reveal new questions about Earth-like objects or fundamental physics. The author has been one of the actors of this adventure. His first-hand testimony is opening the future to new horizons.
Freedom Through Correct Knowing by Geshe Tenzin Namdak,Gelong Tenzin Legtsok Pdf
"In the seven chapters constituting Khedrup Jé's presentation of mind and awareness, he primarily explains the full range of objects, including all phenomena that can be known, and object possessors, things that engage objects, such as consciousness and persons. In the first chapter, Khedrup Jé starts by explaining objects of knowledge. Chapter 2 gives an explanation of various non-valid awarenesses. Chapter 3 explains what it means to be a valid cognizer and divides valid cognizers into various categories. In chapter 4, the first division, valid direct perceivers, is discussed. Chapter 4 further defines the four main categories of direct perceivers: sense direct perceivers, mental direct perceivers, self-knowing direct perceivers, and yogic direct perceivers. In chapter 5, Khedrup Jé gives a brilliant elucidation of this essential teachings of the Buddha. The realizations of the path, explained in chapter 6, are results of valid cognizers. Direct realization of selflessness can only come about by having realized it in a conceptual manner-that is, by generating a valid inference realizing selflessness-first. How to generate this kind of inference is precisely explained in chapter 7. In order to give readers some sense of the two main authors involved here, Khedrup Jé Gelek Palsang and Purbu Chok Jampa Gyatso, whom we mainly rely on for additional explanations, brief biographies of these two eminent Buddhist scholars are given at the close of this introduction"--
The deity Inari has been worshipped in Japan since at least the early eighth century and today is a revered presence in such varied venues as Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, factories, theaters, private households, restaurants, beauty shops, and rice fields. Although at first glance and to its many devotees Inari worship may seem to be a unified phenomenon, it is in fact exceedingly multiple, noncodified, and noncentralized. No single regulating institution, dogma, scripture, or myth centers the practice. In this exceptionally insightful study, the author explores the worship of Inari in the context of homogeneity and diversity in Japan. The shape-shifting fox and the wish-fulfilling jewel, the main symbols of Inari, serve as interpretive metaphors to describe the simultaneously shared yet infinitely diverse meanings that cluster around the deity. That such diversity exists without the apparent knowledge of Inari worshippers is explained by the use of several communicative strategies that minimize the exchange of substantive information. Shared generalized meanings (tatemae) are articulated while private meanings and complexities (honne) are left unspoken. The appearance of unity is reinforced by a set of symbols representing fertility, change, and growth in ways that can be interpreted and understood by many individuals of various ages and occupations. The Fox and the Jewel describes the rich complexity of Inari worship in contemporary Japan. It explores questions of institutional and popular power in religion, demonstrates the ways people make religious figures personally meaningful, and documents the kinds of communicative styles that preserve the appearance of homogeneity in the face of astonishing factionalism.
Kurtis R. Schaeffer,Matthew T. Kapstein,Gray Tuttle
Author : Kurtis R. Schaeffer,Matthew T. Kapstein,Gray Tuttle Publisher : Columbia University Press Page : 853 pages File Size : 41,6 Mb Release : 2013-03-26 Category : History ISBN : 9780231509787
Sources of Tibetan Tradition by Kurtis R. Schaeffer,Matthew T. Kapstein,Gray Tuttle Pdf
The most comprehensive collection of Tibetan works in a Western language, this volume illuminates the complex historical, intellectual, and social development of Tibetan civilization from its earliest beginnings to the modern period. Including more than 180 representative writings, Sources of Tibetan Tradition spans Tibet's vast geography and long history, presenting for the first time a diversity of works by religious and political leaders; scholastic philosophers and contemplative hermits; monks and nuns; poets and artists; and aristocrats and commoners. The selected readings reflect the profound role of Buddhist sources in shaping Tibetan culture while illustrating other major areas of knowledge. Thematically varied, they address history and historiography; political and social theory; law; medicine; divination; rhetoric; aesthetic theory; narrative; travel and geography; folksong; and philosophical and religious learning, all in relation to the unique trajectories of Tibetan civil and scholarly discourse. The editors begin each chapter with a survey of broader social and cultural contexts and introduce each translated text with a concise explanation. Concluding with writings that extend into the early twentieth century, this volume offers an expansive encounter with Tibet's exceptional intellectual heritage.
Enchantment Of Urania, The: 25 Centuries Of Exploration Of The Sky by Massimo Capaccioli Pdf
Today we know much about the sky: how stars are born, how they live and die, and how the universe as a whole evolves. We have learned of the existence of another type of matter, indifferent to light and yet decisive for the formation of galaxies, and we have a hint of a dark energy that since the last 4.5 billion years has taken over the control of the cosmos. We postulated and then discovered and even photographed black holes and listened to the faint rustle of the space-time ripple produced when these monsters devour each other. We reached these astonishing results (recognized by a bunch of Nobel Prizes and filling every day the media with wonders for the eyes and the mind) by the marriage of physics and astronomy that unified the Earth with the sky and then by the leap forward of science and technology in the Twentieth Century. This rich heritage has ancient roots. It was built by accumulating discoveries with errors, observations with fantasies, myths, and superstitions with flashes of genius, over a span of millennia, since Homo sapiens, turning his eyes to the immutable and perfect sky, began to ask questions.The book is a narration of the answers to these questions that had evolved over time: a progressive path, inserted in the general history, with some second thoughts and many obstacles. This is a saga of men and machines where greatness sometimes mixes with misery and passion often borders on sacrifice and even martyrdom. Why should we know it? Because our current knowledge is the result of these efforts and of the preconceptions that accompanied them.The challenge has been to present this complex and intricate subject without resorting to any formulas, so that it can be accessible to a wide audience of curious people, including high school and university students and in general all those who normally keep themselves informed of scientific things. A rich bibliography has also been added in the appendix for those wishing to learn more on one or more topics.
Astrophysics, Astronomy and Space Sciences in the History of the Max Planck Society by Luisa Bonolis,Juan-Andres Leon Pdf
This book provides the first comprehensive historical account of the evolution of scientific traditions in astronomy, astrophysics, and the space sciences within the Max Planck Society. Structured with in-depth archival research, interviews with protagonists, unpublished photographs, and an extensive bibliography, it follows a unique history: from the post-war relaunch of physical sciences in West Germany, to the spectacular developments and successes of cosmic sciences in the second half of the 20th century, up to the emergence of multi-messenger astronomy. It reveals how the Society acquired national and international acclaim in becoming one of the world’s most productive research organizations in these fields.
The International Astronomical Union by Johannes Andersen,David Baneke,Claus Madsen Pdf
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.
The Fall of Erinworld is the first epic Fantasy novel in The Eyes of Goliath series written by British author A.U.RAI. Erik Johalson flees from Erinworld, a once peaceful kingdom, and journeys through the wider regions of Earthworld to fight against the prevailing darkness. With great bravery, he faces his own inner struggles and ventures through various regions to win them back from the Dark Lord Zarq in hopes of reuniting with his best friend Luana, the Princess of Erinworld. In his travels through Erinworld Forest, he is helped by the wizard Sherlock who teaches Erik how to harness his hidden powers and discovers that Erik is the chosen one for the sword with the Amber Eye. At the Gathering Green, they meet Radanhall the Wizard of the Seven Worlds and forming a mutual bond, they plan for the final battle for all of Earthworld.
The 30 Trials of Ix and the Angels by Mark Durant Pdf
The 30 Trials of Ix and the Angels follows Ix Pantheos from his awakening in a ruined castle through his travels to the moon, the sun, and beyond, carried along by the songs of thirty angels as they initiate him into the mysteries of consciousness and the nature of existence. The answer seemingly found and the journey apparently nearing its end, Ix then finds that he must suffer the destruction of his former self, and face a new struggle to hold onto all that was revealed to him. Born of a series of meditations performed by the author, and utilizing an eclectic mix of various world religious and occult philosophies, the story is a surreal journey into the depths of the mind, echoing Ix's own quest to redeem both himself and mankind. While it stands alone as an engaging read for those unacquainted with the various schools of inquiry that comprise the fertile field within which it took root, it retains that symbolism which may prove insightful to like-minded readers who find themselves treading its obscure paths.
Europe to the Stars by Govert Schilling,Lars Lindberg Christensen Pdf
The creation of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in 1962 was the culmination of the dream of leading astronomers from five European countries. Over the years, as more member states joined, ESO constructed the La Silla and Paranal observatories, as well as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) together with partners. ESO is now starting to build the world's biggest eye on the sky, the European Extremely Large Telescope. At the dawn of 2012, its 50th anniversary year, ESO is ready to enter a new era. One that not even its founding members could have anticipated in their boldest dreams. Constantly at the technological forefront, ESO is ready to tackle new and as yet unimaginable territories of high-precision technology and scientific discovery. Produced especially for ESO's 50th anniversary, this sumptuously illustrated book takes the reader behind the scenes of the most productive ground-based observatory in the world. It contains the best 300 of ESO's images, hand-picked from a large collection of more than 100 000 images. "Beautifully produced, Europe to the Stars tells the story of how dreams of giant telescopes became a reality and covers many of the exciting discoveries made at La Silla and Paranal." —BBC Sky at Night, 1 February 2013 "Leave the book on your coffee table, certainly, but read it first and come back to it regularly. It's an intelligent, inspiring celebration of a great European scientific adventure." —Astronomy Now, 1 March 2013
The Second Jewel of Earth by James W. Greenhalge Pdf
"So much collected wisdom and still no answers!" observed a very familiar male voice behind him. The hair on the back of his neck rose. No, it couldn't be! That was yesterday in another reality. He shivered involuntarily, hoping he was wrong about the voice. The traveling begins again! The Second Jewel of Earth follows the continuing story of a solitary man swept up in a fantastic battle to save his world. But is it really his world? Centaurs, trolls and animal-headed human compromises inhabit this strange new reality, with malevolent enemies bent on his destruction. And the pendant about his neck glows with the presence of the First Jewel, a blood-red reminder that the King he serves is more fearsome than his enemies. Sequel to his popular novel, The First Jewel of Earth, the author takes you on yet another journey to the distant past, as the Traveler searches for the second jewel to his incredible pendant. This series surveys Biblical prophesy and ancient history, revealing the origins of a supernatural war whose decisive battle is being fought today. As you join in this adventure, you will never travel alone. Come enjoy your journey! The Third Jewel of Earth is expected in late 2004.
Eighteen-year-old Flora is recovering from “nervous exhaustion” in the sanatorium at her boarding school. She is supposed to rest. But the rest brings back her childhood memories of living in Borneo, where she encountered people and events shaped by the tragedies of the Second World War, when the island was occupied by Japanese soldiers and their concentration camps. Award-winning author Adèle Geras weaves the captivating story of a young woman who, by coming to terms with her memories of the past, is able to move on to a new phase of her life.