"Clouds are the most egalitarian of nature's displays, since each one of us has a good view of them." ~ from Gavin Pretor-Pinney's The Cloudspotter's Guide |
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| Chilled: How Refrigeration Changed the World, and Might Do So Again by Tom JacksonMany household appliances generate heat, but only the refrigerator creates cold -- an application of thermodynamics that has revolutionized human civilization. In this engaging, anecdote-rich account, science writer Tom Jackson traces the multi-millennial history of artificial refrigeration from the ice pits of the ancient Persian Empire to today's "cold chain," the food industry's "temperature-controlled transport corridor" that links farms, fishing boats, supermarkets, and consumers. Yet refrigeration is responsible for more than midnight snacks; it has also made possible numerous scientific breakthroughs, including in vitro fertilization, superconductors, and penicillin. |
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| Our Robots, Ourselves: Robotics and the Myths of Autonomy by David A. MindellFirst, let's get this out of the way: we are NOT headed for a robot apocalypse. In this engaging, thoughtful analysis, MIT professor David Mindell addresses three popular misconceptions about automation: the myth of linear progress (that the natural evolution of technology is from human to fully autonomous system); the myth of replacement (that machines will "take over" from humans); and the myth of autonomy (that robots can operate independently). Instead, he cites examples of humans and robots co-evolving and working in concert, from self-driving cars to robotic surgery to drone warfare. |
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| Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness... by Lisa RandallDespite its name, dark matter is "neither ominous nor powerful," explains particle physicist Lisa Randall. Mostly, it's just hidden from view: although it comprises 85% of the universe, dark matter can only be detected indirectly through measurement of its gravitational effects. In this accessible, thought-provoking book, Randall defines dark matter (distinguishing it from both black holes and dark energy) while describing its role in the formation and composition of the universe. Finally, for those wondering where dinosaurs enter the discussion, she puts forth a plausible hypothesis that a disc of dark matter embedded in the Milky Way dislodged a city-sized object from its orbit 66 million years ago, altering its course enough to strike Earth and cause a mass extinction event. |
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| The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World by Andrea WulfDid you know that the U.S. state of Nevada was almost named "Humboldt," after the Enlightenment-era German explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt? During his lifetime, Humboldt was the "most famous man in the world after Napoleon," due to his five-year expedition to South America, not to mention the 34 bestselling books he wrote about his experiences. Never heard of him? This biography rescues Humboldt from relative obscurity, describing his life as well as his many contributions to science. For example, Humboldt came up with the concept of climate zones, created isotherms (contour lines on maps), discovered the magnetic equator, and redefined our concept of nature itself -- as a web of life connecting every organism on Earth. |
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| Our Sun: Biography of a Star by Christopher CooperOur sun is one amazing G-type main sequence star. Describing its life cycle from birth (4.5 billion years ago) to impending death (the red giant phase slated to occur some 5.4 billion years from now), this visually appealing "biography" uses images from sources such as NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory to explore the sun's composition and structure, its role in Earth's formation and evolution, and its impact on other planets in the solar system. And, for those unfamiliar with the language of heliophysics, the book also contains a helpful glossary of terms. |
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