J. Craig Wheeler - Böcker

Supernovae and gamma-ray bursts are the strongest explosions in the Universe. Observations show that, rather than being symmetrical, they are driven by strong jets of energy and other asymmetrical effects. These observations demand theories and computations that challenge the biggest computers. This volume marks the transition to a fresh paradigm in the study of stellar explosions. It highlights the burgeoning era of routine supernova polarimetry and the insights into core collapse and thermonuclear explosions. With chapters by leading scientists, the book summarises the status of a fresh perspective on stellar explosions and should be a valuable resource for graduate students and research scientists.

From supernovae and gamma-ray bursts to the accelerating Universe, this is an exploration of the intellectual threads that lead to some of the most exciting ideas in modern astrophysics and cosmology. This fully updated second edition incorporates new material on binary stars, black holes, gamma-ray bursts, worm-holes, quantum gravity and string theory. It covers the origins of stars and their evolution, the mechanisms responsible for supernovae, and their progeny, neutron stars and black holes. It examines the theoretical ideas behind black holes and their manifestation in observational astronomy and presents neutron stars in all their variety known today. This book also covers the physics of the twentieth century, discussing quantum theory and Einstein's gravity, how these two theories collide, and the prospects for their reconciliation in the twenty-first century. This will be essential reading for undergraduate students in astronomy and astrophysics, and an excellent, accessible introduction for a wider audience.

Supernovae and gamma-ray bursts are the strongest explosions in the Universe. Observations show that, rather than being symmetrical, they are driven by strong jets of energy and other asymmetrical effects. These observations demand theories and computations that challenge the biggest computers. This volume marks the transition to a fresh paradigm in the study of stellar explosions. It highlights the burgeoning era of routine supernova polarimetry and the insights into core collapse and thermonuclear explosions. With chapters by leading scientists, the book summarises the status of a fresh perspective on stellar explosions and should be a valuable resource for graduate students and research scientists.

From supernovae and gamma-ray bursts to the accelerating Universe, this is an exploration of the intellectual threads that lead to some of the most exciting ideas in modern astrophysics and cosmology. This fully updated second edition incorporates new material on binary stars, black holes, gamma-ray bursts, worm-holes, quantum gravity and string theory. It covers the origins of stars and their evolution, the mechanisms responsible for supernovae, and their progeny, neutron stars and black holes. It examines the theoretical ideas behind black holes and their manifestation in observational astronomy and presents neutron stars in all their variety known today. This book also covers the physics of the twentieth century, discussing quantum theory and Einstein's gravity, how these two theories collide, and the prospects for their reconciliation in the twenty-first century. This will be essential reading for undergraduate students in astronomy and astrophysics, and an excellent, accessible introduction for a wider audience.

J. Craig Wheeler, a leading astrophysicist and former president of the American Astronomical Society, argues that we must take charge of our technology now, before we lose the ability to control it, which many estimate will happen around 2040, if not sooner. He reviews today’s technology in crucial areas that will have the greatest impact on our futures — artificial intelligence, robotics, brain/computer interfaces, and genetic engineering — and shows us how these technologies are interrelated and where they are heading We are developing autonomous self-evolving machines that are already vastly smarter and faster than we are in many ways — able to strategize and perhaps even potentially capable of becoming sentient mind-readers. Our understanding of the structure and function of DNA and proteins along with new techniques like CRISPR give us unprecedented power to manipulate our own biology, to cure disease, and maybe to control our own evolution, producing designer babies, lab-grown brains, and artificial life. He describes how all technology is developing at an increasingly swift pace that makes these issues more urgent than ever. There is likely to be a tipping point when change occurs at a pace so rapid that humans are not able to adjust, either individually or as a society. He then outlines the disruptions to our social, economic, and democratic systems these advances are likely to cause. Will there be jobs for those willing to work? Will social media companies manipulate us so cleverly that we lose our free will? Will AI nudge us to vote in certain ways, or even vote for us? If many people mentally connect, will a possible outcome be a single shared mind where our individuality dissolves, and we become a single entity? Have humans outgrown Earth’s resources? Must we limit the population? If we solve the ageing problem, what do we do with the new babies? What are the prospects of migrating to space?To maintain control, Wheeler argues that we must be informed. Only by understanding this era of accelerating change and its implications — both promising and frightening — will we gain the ability to control the technological developments that will dominate our lives. Throughout, he stresses the ethical and moral challenges that the new technology poses. Finally, he offers advice on what we must do to avoid a fate akin to a frog in a warming pot. On a personal level, we must cultivate an awareness mindset — to stay consciously aware of the onrush of technology. Building on that collective awareness, he offers clear and practical ways in which we can take control — if we start now.

Targeting advanced students of astronomy and physics, as well as astronomers and physicists contemplating research on supernovae or related fields, David Branch and J. Craig Wheeler offer a modern account of the nature, causes and consequences of supernovae, as well as of issues that remain to be resolved.Owing especially to (1) the appearance of supernova 1987A in the nearby Large Magellanic Cloud, (2) the spectacularly successful use of supernovae as distance indicators for cosmology, (3) the association of some supernovae with the enigmatic cosmic gamma-ray bursts, and (4) the discovery of a class of superluminous supernovae, the pace of supernova research has been increasing sharply. This monograph serves as a broad survey of modern supernova research and a guide to the current literature.The book’s emphasis is on the explosive phases of supernovae. Part 1 is devoted to a survey of the kinds of observations that inform us about supernovae, some basic interpretations of such data, and an overview of the evolution of stars that brings them to an explosive endpoint. Part 2 goes into more detail on core-collapse and superluminous events: which kinds of stars produce them, and how do they do it? Part 3 is concerned with the stellar progenitors and explosion mechanisms of thermonuclear (Type Ia) supernovae. Part 4 is about consequences of supernovae and some applications to astrophysics and cosmology. References are provided in sufficient number to help the reader enter the literature.

Targeting advanced students of astronomy and physics, as well as astronomers and physicists contemplating research on supernovae or related fields, David Branch and J. Craig Wheeler offer a modern account of the nature, causes and consequences of supernovae, as well as of issues that remain to be resolved.Owing especially to (1) the appearance of supernova 1987A in the nearby Large Magellanic Cloud, (2) the spectacularly successful use of supernovae as distance indicators for cosmology, (3) the association of some supernovae with the enigmatic cosmic gamma-ray bursts, and (4) the discovery of a class of superluminous supernovae, the pace of supernova research has been increasing sharply. This monograph serves as a broad survey of modern supernova research and a guide to the current literature.The book’s emphasis is on the explosive phases of supernovae. Part 1 is devoted to a survey of the kinds of observations that inform us about supernovae, some basic interpretations of such data, and an overview of the evolution of stars that brings them to an explosive endpoint. Part 2 goes into more detail on core-collapse and superluminous events: which kinds of stars produce them, and how do they do it? Part 3 is concerned with the stellar progenitors and explosion mechanisms of thermonuclear (Type Ia) supernovae. Part 4 is about consequences of supernovae and some applications to astrophysics and cosmology. References are provided in sufficient number to help the reader enter the literature.