Space Science and the Arab World

Space Science and the Arab World PDF

Author: Jörg Matthias Determann

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2018-01-29

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 1786723522

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When Sultan bin Salman left Earth on the shuttle Discovery in 1985, he became the first Arab, first Muslim and first member of a royal family in space. Twenty-five years later, the discovery of a planet 500 light years away by the Qatar Exoplanet Survey - subsequently named `Qatar-1b' - was evidence of the cutting-edge space science projects taking place across the Middle East. This book identifies the individuals, institutions and national ideologies that enabled Arab astronomers and researchers to gain support for space exploration when Middle East governments lacked interest. Jorg Matthias Determann shows that the conquest of space became associated with national prestige, security, economic growth and the idea of an `Arab renaissance' more generally. Equally important to this success were international collaborations: to benefit from American and Soviet expertise and technology, Arab scientists and officials had to commit to global governance of space and the common interests of humanity. Challenging the view that the golden age of Arabic science and cosmopolitanism was situated in the medieval period, Determann tells the story of the new discoveries and scientific collaborations taking place from the 19th century to the present day. An innovative contribution to Middle East studies and history of science, the book also appeals to increased business, media and political interest in the Arab space industry.

Proceedings of the Twenty Sixth General Assembly Prague 2006

Proceedings of the Twenty Sixth General Assembly Prague 2006 PDF

Author: International Astronomical Union. General Assembly

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2008-12-18

Total Pages: 530

ISBN-13: 9780521856065

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IAU Transactions XXVIB contains the Proceedings of the IAU XXVII General Assembly held in Prague, 14-25 August 2006, hosting a total of 2412 participants from 73 countries. The Assembly featured a rich scientific program, comprising 6 Symposia, 17 Joint Discussions and 7 Special Sessions. During the program about 650 papers were presented and more than 1550 posters displayed. The Proceedings of the 6 Symposia have been published in the Proceedings of the IAU Symposia Series, and the proceedings of the Joint Discussions and Special Sessions feature in IAU Highlights of Astronomy, 14. Together with those 7 volumes, these Transactions cover the entire General Assembly. In addition to the scientific program, the XXVI General Assembly hosted the regular Business Meetings of the EC, the 12 Divisions, 40 Commissions and 75 Working Groups. This volume records the organizational and administrative business of the XXVI General Assembly and the status of the IAU membership.

The Science of Time 2016

The Science of Time 2016 PDF

Author: Elisa Felicitas Arias

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-10-05

Total Pages: 394

ISBN-13: 3319599097

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The uses of time in astronomy - from pointing telescopes, coordinating and processing observations, predicting ephemerides, cultures, religious practices, history, businesses, determining Earth orientation, analyzing time-series data and in many other ways - represent a broad sample of how time is used throughout human society and in space. Time and its reciprocal, frequency, is the most accurately measurable quantity and often an important path to the frontiers of science. But the future of timekeeping is changing with the development of optical frequency standards and the resulting challenges of distributing time at ever higher precision, with the possibility of timescales based on pulsars, and with the inclusion of higher-order relativistic effects. The definition of the second will likely be changed before the end of this decade, and its realization will increase in accuracy; the definition of the day is no longer obvious. The variability of the Earth's rotation presents challenges of understanding and prediction. In this symposium speakers took a closer look at time in astronomy, other sciences, cultures, and business as a defining element of modern civilization. The symposium aimed to set the stage for future timekeeping standards, infrastructure, and engineering best practices for astronomers and the broader society. At the same time the program was cognizant of the rich history from Harrison's chronometer to today's atomic clocks and pulsar observations. The theoreticians and engineers of time were brought together with the educators and historians of science, enriching the understanding of time among both experts and the public.

Advancing Cultural Astronomy

Advancing Cultural Astronomy PDF

Author: Efrosyni Boutsikas

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-04-08

Total Pages: 319

ISBN-13: 3030646068

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This collection of essays on cultural astronomy celebrates the life and work of Clive Ruggles, Emeritus Professor of Archaeoastronomy at Leicester University. Taking their lead from Ruggles’ work, the papers present new research focused on three core themes in cultural astronomy: methodology, case studies, and heritage. Through this framework, they show how the study of cultural astronomy has evolved over time and share new ideas to continue advancing the field. Ruggles’ work in these areas has had a profound impact on the way that scholars approach evidence of the role of sky in both ancient and modern cultures. While the papers span many time periods and regions, they are closely connected by these three major themes, presenting methodological investigations of how we can approach archaeological, textual, and ethnographic evidence; describing detailed archaeoastronomical case studies; or stressing the importance of global heritage management. This work will appeal to researchers and scholars interested in the history and development of cultural astronomy.

Yearbook of the United Nations 2011

Yearbook of the United Nations 2011 PDF

Author: United Nations Department of Public Information

Publisher: United Nations

Published: 2015-12-31

Total Pages: 1570

ISBN-13: 9210575105

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With its comprehensive coverage of political and security matters, human rights issues, economic and social questions, legal issues, and institutional, administrative and budgetary matters, the Yearbook of the United Nations stands as the most authoritative reference work on the activities and concerns of the Organization. Fully indexed, the Yearbook includes the texts of all major General Assembly, Security Council and Economic and Social Council resolutions and decisions, putting all of these in a narrative context of United Nations consideration, decision and action.

Reports on Astronomy 2006-2009 (IAU XXVIIA)

Reports on Astronomy 2006-2009 (IAU XXVIIA) PDF

Author: Karel A. van der Hucht

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2009-03-23

Total Pages: 488

ISBN-13: 9780521856058

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The Transactions XXVIIA Reports on Astronomy 2006-2009 provides a comprehensive and authoritative review of what has been achieved in astronomy during the years 2006 to 2009. These insightful and up-to-date reviews have been written by the presidents and chairpersons of the IAU scientific bodies: the Divisions, the Commissions, and the Working Groups. Topics covered in this wide-ranging volume include: fundamental astronomy; the Sun and heliosphere; planetary sciences; stars; variable stars; interstellar matter; the Galactic system; galaxies and the Universe; optical and infrared techniques; radio astronomy; space and high-energy astrophysics; and other IAU activities. The reviews have been written at a level suitable for colleagues in the same fields, but will also be useful for students and researchers wishing to gain an overview of astronomical fields beyond their own research area.

Environmental Integration in the EU's External Relations

Environmental Integration in the EU's External Relations PDF

Author: Gracia Marín Durán

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-03-16

Total Pages: 380

ISBN-13: 1847319181

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The book examines the integration of environmental protection requirements into EU external relations focusing on unilateral, bilateral and inter-regional instruments, which have been less explored than the multilateral dimension of EU environmental policy. The book also explores for the first time the complex interplay and mutual influences between EU environmental integration initiatives and environmental multilateralism. On the one hand it identifies the legal and other instruments used by the EU to support the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements in third countries (particularly developing ones). On the other hand, it singles out the legal and other tools employed by the EU as a means to build partnerships with third countries in order to influence ongoing multilateral negotiations concerning the environment and sustainable development, or to contribute to the development of new international environmental norms in the absence of such multilateral negotiations. Ultimately, the book traces the significant evolution of the various tools deployed by the EU to integrate environmental concerns in its external relations, with a view to identifying emerging challenges and future directions.

Wave Energy Potential, Behavior and Extraction

Wave Energy Potential, Behavior and Extraction PDF

Author: Hua Li

Publisher: MDPI

Published: 2020-03-27

Total Pages: 238

ISBN-13: 3039283960

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Wave energy has a higher potential than most of the available ocean energy resources; however, it fluctuates dramatically depending on geographical and temporal baselines. The complexity of wave energy is only exacerbated by that fact that the cycle of creation, transport, and disappearance of wave energy is influenced by a wide variety of factors. This Special Issue of Energies explores the latest developments in wave energy potential, behavior, and extraction. This Special Issue introduces 1) thorough reviews on the status of wave energy development, 2) novel technologies to extract wave energy including wave energy converter design, and 3) latest methodologies applied in analyzing wave energy potentials.