Jean-Pierre Luminet

Schwarze Locher sind die wohl faszinierendsten Objekte, die die moderne Astronomie gefunden hat. Sie sind bereits zur Legende geworden, und es ranken sich Mythen und Fantasien um sie. Sind sie wirklich die Monster im Weltall, die die Sterne und alles um sich herum bedrohen, oder sind sie nur theoretische Modelle, die aus der Relativitatstheorie entspringen, aber nie eine Chance haben, entdeckt zu werden. Auf dem Weg zur Beantwortung dieser Fragen nimmt uns der Autor mit auf eine faszinierende Reise durch Raum und Zeit. Er erklart, wie Sterne geboren werden, aufleuchten und schliesslich sterben. Er fuhrt uns in die seltsame Welt der Supernovae, Rontgensterne und Quasare. Wir reisen bis ans Ende des Universums und an die Grenzen der modernen Physik. Neben den beiden franzosischen Auflagen liegt bereits auch eine englische Auflage vor. Rezension in "Sirius" Nr.1 S.6 (...) Uber schwarze Locher ist schon viel geschrieben worden doch das vorliegende Buch darf von sich in Anspruch nehmen, dass es wohl zu der kleinen Schar derjenigen Werke zu zahlen ist, die zum Verstandnis schwarzer Locher enorm beitragen konnen. (...) (...) Das Buch ist in einer fesselnden Art geschrieben, was auch ein Verdienst der deutschen Ubersetzung ist, do dass man kaum noch zu lesen aufhoren kann. (...)

Jean-Pierre Luminet, an astrophysicist and an internationally recognised specialist on black holes, is a research director at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and a member of the Universes and Theories Laboratory at the Paris-Meudon Observatory. He is the author of Le Destin de l'Univers (2006), De l'infini (2005), L'Univers chiffonn (2005), L'Invention du Big-Bang (2004), Le Feu du ciel (2002) and Le Grand Atlas de l'astronomie (1994). Elisa Brune is a Belgian novelist and science journalist. She is the author of S I'mes et volcans (2007) and Le Quark, le neurone et le psychanalyste (2006). "This book describes the current state of knowledge on astronomy, without taking the form of a science lesson. The goal is not to master arcane information on gravitation and high-energy physics but to wander freely through cosmic landscapes that have become increasingly precise and diversified over recent decades. More knowledge on astronomy has been amassed in the past thirty years than during the preceding three millennia. "The promenade we invite you to take covers recent discoveries and is divided into three parts, qualified as regional, national and international. What do we now know about the solar system? About our galaxy? About the Universe as a whole?" write J.P. Luminet and E. Brune. This enthralling work of popular science by a world-renowned expert provides the bases of astronomy as well as information on the latest discoveries and hypotheses. It covers such subjects as exoplanets, life in space, the structure of the Universe - which are all presented here with the scientist's enthusiasm and the storyteller's brilliance.

What shape is the universe? Is it curved and closed in on itself? Is it expanding? Where is it headed? Could space be wrapped around itself, such that it produces ghost images of faraway galaxies? Such are the questions posed by Jean-Pierre Luminet in The Wraparound Universe, which he then addresses in clear and accessible language. An expert in black holes and the big bang, he leads us on a voyage through the surprising byways of space-time, where possible topologies of the universe, explorations of the infinite, and cosmic mirages combine their mysterious traits and unlock the imagination. The Wraparound Universe is a general-audience book about the overall topology or shape of the universe. The central question addressed is whether it is possible that the universe is wrapped around in an interesting way, and what impact this would have on astronomical observations and our understanding of cosmology. Along the way many of the general features and much of the history of the modern picture of cosmology are discussed.

This beautiful large-format volume deals with eclipses of all kinds - lunar, solar and even those elsewhere in the Solar System and beyond. Bringing together in one place all aspects of eclipses, and lavishly illustrated throughout, Glorious Eclipses covers the history of eclipses from ancient times, the celestial mechanics involved, their observation and scientific interest. Personal accounts are given of recent eclipses, up to and including the last total solar eclipse of the twentieth century: the one on August 11th 1999 that passed across Europe, Romania, Turkey and India. This unique book contains the best photographs taken all along its path and is the perfect souvenir for all those who tried or wished to see it. In addition, it contains all you need to know about forthcoming eclipses up to 2060, complete with NASA maps and data, making it the perfect resource for both novice and veteran eclipse-chasers.