Catherine Asaro is a popular SF writer, combining her diverse talents to blend hard science fiction and heartrending romance into a sweeping epic known as the Saga of the Skolian Empire. This is her trademark series. Ever since Primary Inversion, her very first novel, this series has continued to grow, building a significant readership and receiving widespread praise. All of Asaro's considerable talent is on display in Spherical Harmonic, the direct sequel to The Radiant Seas. Separated for decades by circumstance and political machinations, the Ruby Dynasty, hereditary rulers of the Skolian Empire, struggle to bring together the tattered remnants of their family in the shadow of a disastrous interstellar war. Too many have died, others are presumed lost, yet they must move quickly if they are reassume their rightful place as rulers of Skolia.

This issue we're entering into the unknown and the otherworldly, exploring strange worlds and stranger beings--not to mention the twisted, terrifying depths of some of the weirdest authors' minds. Subversive and thought provoking? Yes. Crazy as a box of Buck Roger's Intergalactic Fruit Loops? Most definitely. Dark, dreamy, and disgustingly depraved? Would it really be Polluto if it wasn't? Aliens, monsters, gods, dreams and nightmares; sex and transformation; strange worlds and the search for truth; death, blood and violence; the future of humanity; astrophobia, metatronians, sphere serpents and zombie amazons. Prepare for the unexpected . . . and remember, in space no-one can hear you dream.

The eleventh COSPAR colloquium The Outer Heliosphere: The Next Frontiers was held in Potsdam, Germany, from 24-28 July, 2000, and is the second dedicated to this subject after the first one held in Warsaw, Poland in 1989.Roughly a century has passed after the first ideas by Oliver Lodge, George Francis Fitzgerald and Kristan Birkeland about particle clouds emanating from the Sun and interacting with the Earth environment. Only a few decades after the formulation of the concepts of a continuous solar corpuscular radiation by Ludwig Bierman and a solar wind by Eugene Parker, heliospheric physics has evolved into an important branch of astrophysical research. Numerous spacecraft missions have increased the knowledge about the heliosphere tremendously. Now, at the beginning of a new millenium it seems possible, by newly developed propulasion technologies to send a spacecraft beyond the boundaries of the heliosphere. Such an Interstellar Proce will start the in-situ exploration of interstellar space and, thus, can be considered as the first true astrophysical spacecraft. The year 2000 appeared to be a highly welcome occassion to review the achievements since the last COSPAR Colloquia 11 years ago, to summarize the present developments and to give new impulse for future activities in heliospheric research.

Welcome, to a journey that transcends the boundaries of time and space, where celestial realms and cosmic harmonies intertwine in a symphony of transcendent beauty. Within the pages of this book lies an epic tale of enlightenment, unity, and the power of harmony. Prepare to embark on a cosmic odyssey that will stretch the limits of your imagination and ignite the spark of cosmic consciousness within. In the vast expanse of the universe, where stars shimmer and galaxies dance, a profound presence emerges—the Harmonic Unison. Guided by the Luminary Nexus, they embody the essence of cosmic harmony, traversing the celestial realms in search of enlightenment and the interplay of harmonious energies. They are custodians of unity, understanding, and the transformative power of resonance. Through thirty captivating chapters, this book unveils the cosmic journey of the Harmonic Unison, as they explore celestial frontiers, encounter celestial mentors, and unravel the mysteries that lie at the heart of creation. Each chapter breathes life into the celestial tapestry, weaving together cosmic threads that span across dimensions and realms. As you turn each page, you will witness the transformative power of harmonious resonance. From the inception of the Harmonic Collective to the exploration of celestial anomalies, from the radiant wisdom of the Luminary Nexus to the cosmic crescendos of enlightenment, the story unfolds, revealing the profound interconnectedness of all existence. Within these chapters, you will encounter luminous academies of enlightenment, celestial councils guiding the cosmic governance, and celestial mentors who impart cosmic insights that expand the boundaries of understanding. Through their celestial experiences, the Harmonic Unison shapes the harmonies of the universe, inspiring beings to embrace their cosmic purpose and contribute their unique harmonies to the eternal symphony. This book is an invitation to explore the depths of cosmic consciousness, to contemplate the profound harmony that binds the universe together, and to reflect upon our own place within this cosmic symphony. It calls upon us to recognize the interconnectedness of all things and to embrace unity, understanding, and enlightenment as guiding principles in our journey through life. As you delve into the pages of Harmonic Resonance, let the cosmic melodies wash over you, awakening your own resonant harmony and propelling you towards greater cosmic awareness. Allow the celestial harmonies to inspire you to reach for the cosmic heights of your true potential and to contribute your unique harmonies to the eternal symphony of existence. May this book be a source of inspiration, illumination, and cosmic wonder. May it ignite the flame of cosmic enlightenment within your soul and guide you on a path of unity, understanding, and harmonic resonance. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary cosmic adventure that will forever transform the way you perceive the vastness of the universe and your place within it.

Decadent Poetics explores the complex and vexed topic of decadent literature's formal characteristics and interrogates previously held assumptions around the nature of decadent form. Writers studied include Oscar Wilde, Charles Baudelaire and Algernon Charles Swinburne, as well as A.E. Housman, Arthur Machen and Hubert Crackanthorpe.

More than two centuries have elapsed since the story of the interacting binary stars began with the rediscovery of the variability of Algol by John Goodricke and the interpretation he proposed for explaining the regular periodic brightness variations which he found. Over this long span of time our knowledge about these systems has been growing, and we have now reached a fairly good understanding of the structure and behavior of this interesting group of objects. This book contains a timely summary of our present knowledge of interacting binary stars. The chapters have been written by distinguished scientists who have done relevant research in the field of interacting binary stars.