Stephen Webb Bücher

Allein in unserer Galaxie gibt es etwa eine Milliarde erdähnlicher Planeten. Im sichtbaren Universum finden sich etwa 200 Milliarden Galaxien. Liegt es daher nicht nahe, dass sich irgendwo da draußen eine Zivilisation entwickelt hat, die mindestens genauso fortgeschritten ist wie unsere eigene? Die schieren Zahlen verlangen fast danach. Aber: Wieso sind wir dann noch nicht auf Botschaften, Artefakte oder sonstige Hinweise auch nur einer einzigen außerirdischen Zivilisation gestoßen? In diesem Buch führt Stephen Webb durch fünfzig überzeugende und faszinierende Lösungen des berühmten Fermi-Paradoxons, die kurzweilig präsentiert zum Nachdenken und auch Schmunzeln anregen.

A unified treatment of the various techniques used for distance determination. The text begins by describing methods to measure distances on Earth, then gradually climbs the "distance ladder" to enable us to estimate the distance to the farthest objects, ending with a discussion of particle horizons within an expanding and inflationary universe. Aimed at first-year astronomy and astrophysics undergraduates, the book emphasises general physical principles rather than mathematical detail, and is enhanced and complemented by many worked examples, questions and problem-solving exercises at the end of each chapter.

The book presents a comprehensive analysis of the health of Aboriginal Australians over 50,000 years, challenging the notion of pre-colonial health. Utilizing data from 4,500 individuals, it provides the first continental survey detailing aspects of hunter-gatherer health, including disease categories like stress, osteoarthritis, and infections. By employing a regional epidemiological approach, it compares health trends across Australia and Papua New Guinea, linking findings to social and demographic factors. Accessible to both specialists and general readers, it enriches our understanding of Aboriginal culture and the origins of human disease.

Included in the study of the wide range of sensitive and powerful instruments used by scientists to try and solve these problems are ones which capture electromagnetic radiation and ‘telescopes’ for cosmic rays, neutrinos, gravitational waves, and dark matter.

Embark on an adventurous journey that explores diverse cultures, landscapes, and experiences across the globe. This book presents 80 unique methods of travel, showcasing unconventional modes of transportation and the fascinating stories behind them. From hot air ballooning over breathtaking vistas to navigating through bustling city streets on a rickshaw, each chapter highlights the excitement of discovery and the joy of exploration. Ideal for travel enthusiasts, it inspires readers to broaden their horizons and embrace the world’s wonders.

In a 1950 conversation at Los Alamos, four world-class scientists generally agreed, given the size of the Universe, that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations must be present. But one of the four, Enrico Fermi, asked, "If these civilizations do exist, where is everybody?" Given the fact that there are perhaps 400 million stars in our Galaxy alone, and perhaps 400 million galaxies in the Universe, it stands to reason that somewhere out there, in the 14 billion-year-old cosmos, there is or once was a civilization at least as advanced as our own. Webb discusses in detail the 50 most cogent and intriguing solutions to Fermi's famous paradox.

In a model of lucid and compelling popular science writing, Webb conveys not just what theorists have begun to believe about the cosmos, but the awe and excitement felt by scientists as a new picture of the Universe slowly emerges.

"It has been argued that science fiction (SF) gives a kind of weather forecast - not the telling of a fortune but rather the rough feeling of what the future might be like. The intention in this book is to consider some of these bygone forecasts made by SF and to use this as a prism through which to view current developments in science and technology. In each of the ten main chapters - dealing in turn with antigravity, space travel, aliens, time travel, the nature of reality, invisibility, robots, means of transportation, augmentation of the human body, and, last but not least, mad scientists - common assumptions once made by the SF community about how the future would turn out are compared with our modern understanding of various scientific phenomena and, in some cases, with the industrial scaling of computational and technological breakthroughs. A further intention is to explain how the predictions and expectations of SF were rooted in the scientific orthodoxy of their day, and use this to explore how our scientific understanding of various topics has developed over time, as well as to demonstrate how the ideas popularized in SF subsequently influenced working scientists."--Back cover

From his early dreams in outback Junee to becoming Australia's top stuntman, Lawrence Ryan's autobiography showcases his remarkable journey. With a passion for thrill-seeking evident from childhood, he reflects on his unique aspirations compared to typical career paths. The book is filled with engaging anecdotes and is complemented by photographs that capture his daring stunts. TV personality Grant Denyer highlights Ryan's multifaceted personality, describing him as a blend of superhero, gentleman, and dreamer, making for an entertaining and inspiring read.

Exploring the evolution of symbols, this book delves into the rich history of characters like the ampersat and ampersand, alongside smileys and runes. It highlights the significance of both well-known and obscure glyphs in various contexts, showcasing their presence in historical and contemporary documents across sciences and technology. The text offers insights into how these symbols have shaped communication and understanding throughout time.