GALAXY: MAPPING THE COSMOS
Book ID/图书代码： 14932914B76108
English Summary/英文概要： The numbers involved when it comes to discussing stars, galaxies and the inconceivably vast tracts of empty space between them are staggering. With hundreds of billions of galaxies in the observable universe, all of varying shapes, sizes and ages - each containing hundreds of billions of suns - at first glance our Universe appears frustratingly unknowable, and yet it is captivating to explore. As a species we have only recently come to appreciate that our Milky Way is just one of myriad galaxies spread throughout the Universe, with modern scientific breakthroughs forcing dramatic re-evaluations of our place in the immense Cosmos. Our knowledge is growing daily and the pace of research continues to accelerate but we are still far away from from a complete understanding of how the galaxies came to be, and the processes that shaped them. Written by an active researcher in the field, Galaxy: Mapping the Infinite tells the rich scientific story of galaxy evolution and observation - discoveries of ’spiral nebulae’, the nature of galaxies and the current ’World Model’.Astronomer James Geach takes us on a tour of what is currently known and unknown, discussing why the ancient science of astronomy continues to fascinate humanity. Appealing to all readers interested in astronomy and cosmology, and featuring 100 colour illustrations, Galaxy explores the enigma of our cosmic habitat, chronicling how our home in the Universe came to be.
108 colour illustrations
Chinese Summary/中文概要： 「為什麼要做這些事情？為什麼要把價值數百萬美元的望遠鏡、設備以及人才放在地球上最偏遠荒涼的地方，僅僅是為了收集幾個在140億年宇宙歷史中從發光天體輕輕飛來地球的光子？讓我們坐下來，做一個簡單的估算，我們實際上所接收到的、來自天體的總能量非常之小：以一個我目前正在研究的星系為例，每秒鐘單位面積上接收到的能量，只是一片雪花擊中一塊英國國土面積大小的探測器所產生動能的千分之一。
我們已經知道大地是圓的，並不是太陽系的中心，也知道還有其他一些行星存在，但是星系在我們的生活中似乎只是扮演著無足輕重的角色。
我們是否真的需要知道銀河之外有什麼呢，儘管我們永遠不會航行到那裡？當然了，我的答案是肯定的。」
──本書作者James Geach，英國赫特福德郡大學天體物理學研究中心的皇家學會大學研究員
當我們討論到恒星、星系以及不可探究的浩瀚太空時，牽涉到的數字是驚人的。在可以觀測到的宇宙中存在成百上千億個形狀、大小及年齡各異的星系，而每一個星系中都有數以千億計的恒星，乍眼看去我們的宇宙不可知，這讓人沮喪，但是宇宙又吸引著人類去探索。作為某個物種的我們是很晚近才發現我們的銀河系只是宇宙中不計其數的星系之一，現代科學技術上的突破也讓我們在浩瀚宇宙中重新審視自己的地位。我們的知識與日俱增，研究步伐不斷加快，然而我們仍然不能完全理解星系形成的原因和步驟。
本書由正在該領域內進行研究的研究人員所著，講述了星系演變的科學歷史以及對星系的觀測，包括「螺旋星系」的發現、星系的本質以及現行的「世界模式」等等。天文學家James Geach 帶我們去探尋目前已知和未知的事物，探討古老的天文學繼續讓人著迷的原因。該書能夠吸引所有對天文學和宇宙學感興趣的讀者，書中有100 幅精美的天文攝影圖像。
(Zoe)
Awards/获奖情况：“Geach正在当代科学界最振奋人心的前沿领域——银河系外天文学——做研究。他的书传达了他本人对该领域的强烈兴趣，同时也是对该领域的进步与前景进行的清晰的、可读性高的研究。”——剑桥大学天文学研究所Martin Rees FRS。
“本月最佳书籍……《星系：绘制宇宙图》插图精美，探讨了银河系外的宇宙以及银河系外天文学的奥秘与奇迹。Geach 是我们这个旅程中最理想的导游。星系演变领域日新月异，作为该领域的研究人员，他向我们展示了知识的广度与深度，同时他还具有撰写引人入胜的通俗读物的才能，也善于运用比喻……（《星系》）让人爱不释手、详尽优美，介绍了当代天文学最具挑战性和最振奋人心的领域之一，能很好地丰富天文学迷们的书房。”——《夜空杂志》
“天体物理学家Geach写得比一般的大众天文学书——有漂亮的插图却没什么内容——要深刻，他给读者讲述图片揭露的迷人故事：星系的产生、演变过程以及为我们认知宇宙提供的视角。单单就内容丰富程度来讲就让人叹为观止……漂亮的彩图，加上对图片背后科学道理的清晰且引人入胜的解释，使这本书在各个方面都很出彩。”——《出版者周刊》
’Geach is actively researching on one of the most exciting frontiers of today’s science: extragalactic astronomy. His book conveys his personal enthusiasm and offers a clear and highly readable survey of the field s progress and prospects.’ --Martin Rees FRS, Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
’Book of the Month . . . Galaxy: Mapping the Cosmos is a beautifully illustrated exploration of the Universe beyond the Milky Way, and the mysteries and wonders of extragalactic astronomy. Geach is ideally placed to be our guide on this journey - a researcher in the fastchanging field of galaxy evolution, he displays both breadth and depth of knowledge, happily matched by a talent for engaging, nontechnical prose and an eye for a simile . . . [Galaxy] is an enthralling, detailed and beautiful look at one of the most challenging and exciting areas of modern astronomy, and a great addition to any enthusiast’s library.’ --The Sky at Night Magazine
’Astrophysicist Geach goes an order of magnitude further than the usual popular astronomy title - those full of breathtaking images, but little in the way of context - by giving readers the fascinating stories revealed by those images: how galaxies are created, how they evolve, and what they tell us about our universe. The sheer variety is stunning . . . Gorgeous color photos, coupled with clear and engaging explanations of the science behind them, make this book a winner on every level.’ --Publishers Weekly
About the Author/作者介绍： James Geach 是星系形成与演变领域内的专业天文学家，也是赫特福德大学天体物理研究中心的皇家学会研究员。
James Geach is a professional astronomer in the field of galaxy formation and evolution and a Royal Society University Research Fellow at the Centre for Astrophysics Research at the University of Hertfordshire.
Format:
Rights Status/版权销售情况：Simplified Chinese/简体中文：AVAILABLE(到期可授)
Complex/Traditional Chinese/繁体中文：AVAILABLE
Sales in other countries/其他国家销售情况：Arabic、Japanese、Korean、Turkish、Russian
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