The Story of Light

Voorkant
Sourcebooks, Inc., 2002 - 464 pagina's
The story of light affects us every day of our lives...
In highly visual, entertaining and easy-to-understand language, famed science writer Ben Bova explains the many ways light affects our minds, bodies and universe.
--Why do people kiss with their eyes closed?
--What exactly is quantum physics?
--Why is it difficult to swat a mosquito?
--Is the universe expanding or contracting?
--How do lasers work?
--What do we "see" when we dream?
In this all-encompassing work, one of the most noted science fiction as well as nonfiction writers of our time explores the subject of light and shows how it has shaped every aspect of our existence.
From the creation of life to the exploration of the heavens and the stars, from the origins of the earth to the possibility of life on distant planets, Ben Bova unveils the beauty and science behind this phenomenon. Dr. Bova masterfully explains how light affects us every day of our lives, from our religions to our sex drives, as well as how we use light in art, science, industry, entertainment, cosmetics, jewelry and much more.
"The enlightenment of discoveries and the brilliance of Ben Bova combine to enable our minds to glimpse the majesty of the infinite worlds of light in the universe."
--Buzz Aldrin
"Superbly written--a banquet of topics served by a master literary chef!"
--Bill Pogue, Skylab astronaut
"The Story of Light is a light-hearted, enlightened romp through many facets of human experience, reflected and refracted through Bova's bright, polychromatic mind."
--David Grinspoon, Principal Scientist, Southwest Research Institute and author of Venus Revealed

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Inhoudsopgave

Creatures of the Light 39
3
From Darkness to Light
9
As Clear as Air
29
The Eyes Have It
41
The Vision and the Faculty Divine
57
The Gifts of Prometheusand Eve
75
The Glow of Health
89
Light and Lust
105
Through a Glass
203
Lights Action
233
Sword of Light
255
Bright Beams of Laser Light
273
Fibers Discs and Solar Cells
297
Bright Shining Beads
313
TO SEEK
321
Fingerprints from Rainbows
337

TO LEARN
121
Faster Than a Speeding
123
Waves of Light
143
The Ultimate Barrier
155
TO
177
Ill Do Your Looking for You
179
Extrasolar Planets and SETI
355
The Starry Messengers
371
Glossary
405
Bibliography
427
About the Author 449
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Over de auteur (2002)

Ben Bova has been writing award-winning science fiction and nonfiction for more than 50 years. He is the author of more than 100 futuristic novels and works of nonfiction. He has taught science fiction at Harvard University and Hayden Planetarium in New York. His nonfiction includes such titles as Immortality and Space Flight, which shows how modern technology can be used to solve economic, social and political problems. Ben Bova resides in Florida.

Bibliografische gegevens