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White dwarves. Black dwarves. Red giants. Are these Disney characters? Actually, they are astronomical terms that are explained in 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the Universe, the only source for a comprehensive and entertaining account of the stars and the sun, space exploration, and the Milky Way Galaxy.

Eminent astronomer Bill Gutsch takes the reader on a journey to explore the nebulous star clusters, probe the core of the nuclear furnace we call the sun, tour the distortions of time and space, and demystify 997 more amazing secrets of the cosmos. Readers gain insight into how the galaxy evolved, and search its very heart where many believe there may lurk a monstrous black hole.

Are there other beings that, like us, look up at the starry sky and wonder? 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the Universe will ferret out the most likely places in space for life to exist, and reveal how scientists are actually trying to contact advanced extra-terrestrials.

These are a few of the subjects 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the Universe will present in a fun, engaging and intelligent way.


From the Hardcover edition.

Adaptive optics is a powerful new technique used to sharpen telescope images blurred by the Earth's atmosphere. This authoritative book is the first dedicated to the use of adaptive optics in astronomy. Mainly developed for defence applications, the technique of adaptive optics has only recently been introduced in astronomy. Already it has allowed ground-based telescopes to produce images with sharpness rivalling those from the Hubble Space Telescope. The technique is expected to revolutionise the future of ground-based optical astronomy. Written by an international team of experts who have pioneered the development of the field, this timely volume provides both a rigorous introduction to the technique and a comprehensive review of current and future systems. It is set to become the standard reference for graduate students, researchers and optical engineers in astronomy and other areas of science where adaptive optics is finding exciting new applications.

Already established as the leading course text on aerodynamics, Aerodynamics for Engineering Students has been revised to include the latest developments in flow control and boundary layers, and their influence on modern wing design, as well as introducing recent advances in the understanding of fundamental fluid dynamics. Computational methods have been expanded and updated to reflect the modern approaches to aerodynamic design and research in the aeronautical industry and elsewhere, and the structure of the text has been developed to reflect current course requirements.

The book is designed to be accessible and practical. Theory is developed logically within each chapter with notation, symbols and units well defined throughout, and the text is fully illustrated with worked examples and exercises.



The classic text, expanded and updated.

Includes latest developments in flow control, boundary layers and fluid dynamics.

Fully illustrated throughout with illustrations, worked examples and exercises.

New Edition - First update in over 10 years! 4th Edition. For years, engineers have turned to Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles as their 'bible' on this field. Now, the new fourth edition continues this tradition. Much of the material has been substantially revised, and new chapters on wind noise and motorcycles have been added. Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles thoroughly covers the fundamental principles that influence vehicle performance, handling, safety and comfort. An excellent introduction to the topic for the novice or student and a useful refresher and reference for the expert, the book focuses on: The fundamentals of fluid dynamics as related to vehicle aerodynamics Specific experimental results Design strategies, showing how existing individual results can be applied to specific problems Development techniques, as related to different types of wind tunnels, on-road tests and numerical methods. The aerodynamics of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, sports and race cars, and motorcycles are dealt with in detail. Related fields that are influenced by aerodynamics are also covered, including the effects of aerodynamics on fuel economy, directional stability, engine cooling, and passenger comfort. Contents include: Introduction to Automobile Aerodynamics (including a section on its history) Some Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics Performance of Cars and Light Trucks Aerodynamics Drag of Passenger Cars Directional Stability Function, Safety, and Comfort Wind Noise High-Performance Vehicles Commercial Vehicles Motorcycles Engine Cooling Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning of Passenger Cars Wind Tunnels Measurement and Test Techniques Computational Fluid Dynamics. Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles is and indispensable book for vehicle engineers, designers, researchers, and those working in government regulatory agencies. It is also an excellent introduction for students, and an insightful look for the enthusiast at why vehicles behave as they do. The book covers aerodynamic principles of: passenger cars commercial vehicles sports and race cars motorcycles. By reading this book, Vehicle engineers and designers will be able to: Apply general rules to solve your own design problems Develop test techniques and design strategies to maximize aerodynamic effectiveness. Car enthusiasts will gain an understanding of: Why vehicles behave as they do The factors affecting vehicle performance, handling, safety, and comfort. Students will learn: The fundamentals of aerodynamics and its application in the 'real-world' of vehicle design How to apply specific experimental results as general rules to solve design problems. About the editor...Wolf-Heinrich Hucho headed vehicle aerodynamics at Volkswagen for a decade. By systematically applying the fundamentals of fluid dynamics to vehicles, he demonstrated that very often only minor modifications to a share are needed to significantly improve the flow around it. With the introduction of two new strategies, 'detail optimization' and 'shape optimization,' he helped to surmount the controversy between design and aerodynamics and this smoothed the way for a breakthrough of aerodynamics in vehicle technology.

Highly regarded resource deals with practical aspects of aeroelasticity as well as underlying aerodynamic and structural tools. Topics include compressible flow, flutter, deformation of structures, aeroelastic model theory, model design and construction, testing techniques and much more. Many numerical examples. Appendices. References. Over 300 illustrations. 1955 edition.

The text presents a complete and realistic aircraft engine design experience. From the request for proposal for a new aircraft to the final engine layout, the book provides the concepts and procedures required for the entire process. It is a significantly expanded and modernized version of the best-selling first edition that emphasizes recent developments impacting engine design such as theta break/throttle ratio, life management, controls, and stealth. The key steps of the process are detailed in 10 chapters that encompass aircraft constraint analysis, aircraft mission analysis, engine parametric (design point) analysis, engine performance (off-design) analysis, engine installation drag and sizing, and the design of inlets, fans, compressors, main combustors, turbines, afterburners, and exhaust nozzles.

The AEDsys software that accompanies the text provides comprehensive computational support for every design step. The software has been carefully integrated with the text to enhance both the learning process and productivity, and allows effortless transfer between British engineering and SI units. The AEDsys software is furnished on CD-ROM and runs in the Windows operating system on PC-compatible systems. A user?s manual is provided with the software, along with the complete data files used for the Air-to-Air Fighter and Global Range Airlifter design examples of the book.

Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Technology provides a comprehensive, easy-to-understand treatment of the background, development, and applications of the gas turbine engine it its various forms, such as turobjet, turbofan, turboprop, and turboshaft powerplants. Designed primarily as a resource for technicians preparing for the FAA aircraft powerplant mechanic certification, Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Technology also may be used a reference. The text also discusses the changing maintenance and overhaul procedures and philosophies and the role of fuel metering in engine operation.

Aircraft Powerplants, Seventh Edition, part of the Glencoe Aviation Technology Series (formerly the Northrop Series), is the most comprehensive up-to-date powerplant book on the market today. It has been revised to reflect the latest changes in FAR Part 147 and changing industry needs.

The new edition features expanded coverage of turbine engine theory and nomenclature. It also includes additional current models of turbofan, turboprop, and turboshaft engines. Information on turbine engine fuel, oil, ignition systems has been expanded and divided into separate chapters. And the remainder of the turbine engine material is updated and presented apart from reciprocating engines, allowing for the flexibility of teaching this materials separately or together.

New material added to the propeller section deals with composite propellers, dynamic propeller blancing, and auxiliary propeller systems such as auto-feather, de-synchro-phasing, and de-ice. The updated and reorganized material on aircraft systems includes the latest information on control, indicating, and warning systems. Throughout the text, special emphasis has been laced on the integration of information regarding how individual components and systems operate together.

This edition includes a new Student Study Guide that parallels the text. It provides fill-in-the-blank questions to identify key terms, demonstrates applications of mathematical relationships, and validates learning progress by offering multiple choice questions. The new Instructor's Manual provides answers to the review questions and transparency masters to help you illustrate key concepts.

Aircraft Powerplants, Seventh Edition, part of the Glencoe Aviation Technology Series (formerly the Northrop Series), is the most comprehensive up-to-date powerplant book on the market today. It has been revised to reflect the latest changes in FAR Part 147 and changing industry needs.

The new edition features expanded coverage of turbine engine theory and nomenclature. It also includes additional current models of turbofan, turboprop, and turboshaft engines. Information on turbine engine fuel, oil, ignition systems has been expanded and divided into separate chapters. And the remainder of the turbine engine material is updated and presented apart from reciprocating engines, allowing for the flexibility of teaching this materials separately or together.

New material added to the propeller section deals with composite propellers, dynamic propeller blancing, and auxiliary propeller systems such as auto-feather, de-synchro-phasing, and de-ice. The updated and reorganized material on aircraft systems includes the latest information on control, indicating, and warning systems. Throughout the text, special emphasis has been laced on the integration of information regarding how individual components and systems operate together.

This edition includes a new Student Study Guide that parallels the text. It provides fill-in-the-blank questions to identify key terms, demonstrates applications of mathematical relationships, and validates learning progress by offering multiple choice questions. The new Instructor's Manual provides answers to the review questions and transparency masters to help you illustrate key concepts.

This text is designed to provide the reader with an introductory overview of the key system areas of commercial and military aircraft. It offers detailed illustrations and a comprehensive explanation of the concepts and principles of system design, including the evolution of system design and the functionality of the contemporary design. It also identifies emerging technological breakthroughs that may have a profound effect upon the standard for avionics technology usage and associated systems integration.

The book serves as an introduction to the field of aerospace engineering for students, and provides a platform for practitioners wishing to update or extend their knowledge in light of technological advancements.