Astronomy
Selected Topics
by
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Einstein based his special relativity theory (1905) on the concepts that (a) the speed of light is the same for all observers and (b) the laws of nature are the same for all observers who move with a constant speed relative to each other. Thus his special theory of relativity deals with situations in which masses have constant relative speeds. He averred that the speed of light is fixed and not relative to the speed of the observer. This was a departure from Newton's laws of motion. One of his 1905 articles led to his famous equation E=mc2. It says that the energy (E) of a body at rest equals its mass (m) times the square of the speed of light (c2). The shocking meaning of this equation is that a body has energy even at rest, apart from its potential and kinetic energies. The at-rest energy of a body exists because of its mass. Also, it says that any increase in the energy of a body must result in an increase in its mass, so high velocity means high mass also.
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About the Book
The dynamics of the universe are explained in this easy-to-understand book that looks beyond Earth and our solar system to ask and answer life’s essential questions. Key topics include the following: • How Albert Einstein, Albert Michelson, Edward Morley, Nicolaus Copernicus, and other important thinkers contributed to our understanding of the universe • Various conundrums, such as how the principles of refraction explain why the bottom edge of the sun appears to just touch the horizon even though it is actually below the horizon at sunset • How the Hubble telescope has helped us determine the age of the galaxy and answer questions revolving around the Big Bang Theory, as well as how other important telescopes are adding to our knowledge • How orbits function and why Halley’s comet continues to loop around the sun like a driver with road rage • How outer space treaties are determining who can use space, and who might end up owning the moon, Mars and other celestial bodies Find the answers to these and other astronomical questions, and improve your understanding of how Earth and humanity fits into the big picture with Astronomy: Selected Topics.
About the Author
Charles H. Grace earned a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Carnegie Institute of Technology and a juris doctorate degree from Cleveland State University. During his career, he was a supervisory lawyer, engineering manager and consulting engineer. A member of several astronomy organizations, he lives in Westlake, Ohio.