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The Sun is nowadays observed using di?erent techniques that provide an almost instantaneous 3-D map of its structure. Of particular interest is the studyofthevariabilityinthesolaroutputproducedbythedissipationofm- netic energy on di?erent spatial and temporal scales – the so-called magnetic activity. The 11-year cycle is the main feature describing this phenomenon. Apart from its intrinsic scienti?c interest, this topic is worth studying because of the interaction of such processes with the terrestrial environment. A ?eet of space and ground-based observatories are currently monitoring the behaviour of our star on a daily basis. However, solar activity varies not only on this decadal time-scale, as has been attested mainly through two methods: (a) records of the number of sunspots observed on the solar surface from 1610, and (b) the records of 14 10 cosmogenic isotopes, such as Cand Be, measured in tree-rings and i- cores, respectively. The study of the long-term behaviour of solar activity may be comp- mented by the study of historical accounts describing phenomena directly or indirectly related to solar activity. Numerous scienti?c and non-scienti?c d- uments have reported these events and we can make use of them as a proxy of solar activity in past times.

This book covers curious facts, fallacies, and paradoxes regarding various astronomical phenomena which have been collected from various sources. Most of the information given will not be found in popular works on astronomy, and will, it is hoped, prove of interest to the general reader.

Although transits of planets across the Sun are rare (only Mercury and Venus orbit the Sun closer than us, and so can transit the Suns disc) amateur astronomers can observe, record and image other kinds of transits that are much more frequent. This book first tells the fascinating story of the early scientific expeditions to observe transits. It then explains how to observe transits of all sorts - even transits of aircraft as they fly between the observer and the Sun.

In this age of genetic engineering and global warming, it is more important than ever to understand the history and current trends of science and technology. With so much information out there, though, it's hard to know where to start. That's where The History of Science and Technology -- the most comprehensive and up-to-date chronology of its kind -- comes in. From the first stone tools to the first robot surgery, this easy-to-read, handy reference book offers more than seven thousand concise entries organized within ten major historical periods and categorized by subject, such as archaeology, biology, computers, food and agriculture, medicine and health, materials, and transportation. You can follow the world's scientific and technological feats forward or backward, year by year, and subject by subject. Under 8400 BCE Construction, you will discover that the oldest known wall was built in Jericho. Jump to 1454 Communication and you will learn about Johann Gutenberg's invention of movable type. Take an even larger leap to 2002 Computers and find out about the invention of the Earth Simulator, a Japanese supercomputer. The History of Science and Technology answers all the what, when, why, and how questions about our world's greatest discoveries and inventions: How are bridges built? When were bifocal eyeglasses invented and by whom? What medical discovery led to the introduction of sterilization, vaccines, and antibiotics? What is the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) process, and why is it one of the pillars of the biotechnology revolution? Not only can you discover how our world came to be and how it works, but with cross-referenced entries you can also trace many intricate and exciting connections across time. Highly browsable yet richly detailed, expertly researched and indexed, The History of Science and Technology is the perfect desktop reference for both the science novice and the technologically advanced reader alike.

Any real understanding of where we stand scientifically today and where we are headed depends to a great extent on an awareness of how we reached those scientific achievements. The increased impact of science and technology on our lives makes such an understanding even more important. For this reason, this book is intended to provide information about the major works of science in the collections of the Library of Congress. These selected works are organized here by traditional scientific discipline and are treated in historical and, generally, chronological order. The contents contain chapters on: (1) astronomy; (2) botany; (3) zoology; (4) medicine; (5) chemistry; (6) geology; (7) mathematics; and (8) physics. A bibliography provides information about particular Library of Congress collections to which a book or manuscript may belong, as well as specific bibliographic information. Title translations are also included. (TW)