David A. J. Seargent – författare

This book is, in a sense, a sequel to David Seargent''s first Springer book Weird Astronomy (2010). Whereas Weird Astronomy extended over a broad range of purely astronomical topics, the present work concentrates on phenomena closer to home; the atmospheric and "shallow space" events as opposed to deep space events. The line between astronomy and meteorology is blurred - a fact that is discussed in Weird Weather. It is not primarily a book of "wonders" or of the unexplained, although some of the topics covered remain mysteries. It is primarily directed toward those who are fascinated by climate and weather, and who are open-minded when considering Earth''s climate, what drives it, and what are the causes of climate change. The author, David A. J. Seargent, presents the facts with a balanced and scientific approach.

Weird Weather: Tales of Astronomical and Atmospheric Anomalies is about strange, unusual, and apparently inexplicable observations of the air and sky. Primarily these are in the Earth''s atmosphere, but there are corresponding phenomena in the atmospheres of other planets of the Solar System - lightning on Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn, whirlwinds and dust storms of Mars, and auroras on Jupiter. Topics include anomalous lights, anomalous sounds, spectacular effects of cloud illumination by the Sun or Moon, lightning phenomena, electrophonic sounds of lightning, aurora and meteors, tornado and whirlwind phenomena on Earth and Mars, usual atmospheric effects, mirages, and the possible astronomical influences on cloud and climate.

In this book, author David Seargent takes issue with the assumption, long held in Western thought, that mankind and the planet we inhabit, has no special or privileged features; that our being here is purely a matter of chance. Typically, the so-called Copernican Principle which, in essence, is simply an empirical statement about our physical non-centrality, is raised to the level of a fundamental principle of nature decreeing that there be no special significance in either our location or in anything else associated with our existence. The author argues that our non-centrality on the cosmic stage is not the result of such a basic principle of nature, but is actually the consequence of the fact that our very existence is dependent upon a finely-tuned convergence of many different factors; a convergence which cannot occur in the centres of either the Solar System or Galaxy. In short, our position away from the centre does not reflect a principle of nature decreeing that our place in the scheme of things be a lowly one. On the contrary, it is a simple consequence of the fact that central regions of solar systems and galaxies are not places where life with our degree of complexity can survive.

At a more fundamental level, it is argued that the Copernican Principle (in its formulation as a basic principle of nature) actually makes predictions which are in conflict with observational evidence. The most serious conflict concerns the nature of the Universe at large. If the Copernican Principle is truly fundamental, it must be capable of being generalized such that no place in either space or time is given any special significance. This so called Perfect Cosmological Principle - a logical consequence of the Copernican Principle - predicts an eternal and infinite Steady State universe in strong conflict with observational evidence.

The question as to whether the earths position is in any way significant or special is to be examined within an observational context, not by appeal to a supposed natural principle decreeing that our place necessarily be without special significance. The author presents evidence supporting the contention that the earths place in the cosmos is indeed special, not in the sense of being central, but in the sense of being a highly unusual safe zone where advanced life can live and thrive. The zone is rendered safe because of a highly improbable convergence of many factors relating to the nature of our planet itself, the unusual nature of the moon, the wider Solar System, the sun and its unusual position within the Galaxy and even the Galaxy and its position in relation to similar nearby systems. Advanced life on earth exists on a razors edge, but is maintained in this exquisitely delicate balance by a just right convergence of factors.The author terms this the Goldilocks Principle - the principle stating that for complex life to exist, conditions must be just right; must be confined to a very narrow zone and that this zone be maintained by a highly improbable convergence of a variety of factors.

Some of the more important of these factors are discussed, demonstrating just how finely balanced the conditions must be to allow life at our level of complexity to exist.

Such a delicate balance must of necessity appear to exhibit purposeful design. But is this appearance real?

It is argued that the appearance is, indeed, genuine.

The argument that if enough monkeys play with enough computer keyboards for a sufficient length of time something intelligible, i.e.something having the appearance of design, will emerge, is debunked. It is argued that if an apparent product of design actually fulfils the purpose for which it appears to have been designed, the only rational answer is to accept the design as real. Monkeys playing with keyboards may just possibly prod

As new discoveries complicate the scientific picture of the universe, the evolving theories about the nature of space and time and the origins and fate of the universe threaten to become overwhelming. Enter David Seargent. Continuing the author''s series of books popularizing strange astronomy facts and knowledge, Weird Universe explains the bizarre, complicated terrain of modern cosmology for lay readers.

From exploring some of the strange consequences of the theories of special and general relativity, to probing time dilation and the twin and mother-and-baby “paradoxes” and the theory that the universe can be mathematically considered as a hologram, all of the latest findings and conjectures are clearly described in non-technical language. The development of quantum physics and the more recent developments of string and M-theory are looked at, in addition to several hypotheses that have not won wide acceptance from the scientific community, such as modified gravity. Enter the wonderfully weird world of these theories and gain a new appreciation for the latest findings in cosmological research.

In these days of computers and CCD cameras, visual comet observers can still contribute scientifically useful data with the help of this handy reference for use in the field. Comets are one of the principal areas for productive pro-amateur collaboration in astronomy, but finding comets requires a different approach than the observing of more predictable targets. Principally directed toward amateur astronomers who prefer visual observing or who are interested in discovering a new comet or visually monitoring the behavior of known comets, it includes all the advice needed to thrive as a comet observer.

After presenting a brief overview of the nature of comets and how we came to the modern understanding of comets, this book details the various types of observations that can usefully be carried out at the eyepiece of a telescope. Subjects range from how to search for new comets to visually estimating the brightness of comets and the length and orientation of tails, in addition to what to look for in comet heads and tails.

Details are also given of 20 periodic comets, predicted to return between the years 2017 and 2027, that are expected to become suitable targets for visual observing, in addition to information on a famous comet potentially visible each year and subject to great outbursts of brightness.