Comets – Nomads of the Solar System
₹290.00
This book introduces the general reader to the world of comets – those celestial visitors from the outer Solar System that occasionally visit the Earth’s neighbourhood and put up spectacular shows in the night sky. The world had geared up for just such a show at the end of 2013, when Comet ISON was expected to light up the night sky. Using the occasion to bring the world of comets to those interested, this book is a delightful read about the quirky world of these unpredictable visitors. Apart from lucidly and accurately updating the reader about what comets are, where they come from, why is it that they assume the fantastic shapes they do etc. “Comets” also regales the reader with myths about comets in various cultural contexts, snippets about famous comets in the history of mankind, anecdotes on comet discoveries and discoverers, the bewildering procedures followed while naming comets and much more. The book takes a hard look at the hype surrounding the fiery expectations about Comet ISON an cautions the reader that, while there was a good chance of the comet blazing forth in the skies of December 2013, there was a realistic chance that the comet would not survive its close encounter with the Sun. Sadly, the pessimistic predictions came true and the comet disintegrated as it went around the Sun. As we wait for chance to throw us a Great Comet to gaze at in the future, “Comets: Nomads of the Solar System” is an excellent guide to prepare for the event!
Interested customers may write to us at mup@manipal.edu about purchasing the book.
Also available on |
Categories: | Academic/Reference, General Interest, Popular Science |
---|
Author |
---|
Related products
-
Manipal Manual of Ear Mould Making
Manipal Manual of Ear Mould Making is a comprehensive workbook of value to students of Audiology & hearing professionals who wish to understand the nuances of this skill that is paramount for optimization of hearing aid fitting. This is a compilation of the authors? years of experience in the deft skills of ear mould making and patient care in Manipal Ear Mould lab. Considerable efforts have gone in to bringing out this manual by incorporating appropriate pictures, stepwise procedures and simple instructions. This manual, besides appraising the readers of the procedure would also assist them in learning the dos and donts picked up out of the authors? clinical experience. This will be a reflection of our ongoing efforts to derive the best out of the rapidly developing technology in the area of hearing impairment.
-
Biomedical Spectroscopy
Biomedical Spectroscopy is the output of the intensive discussions of the authors and the medical professionals of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University. The ?Centre for Laser Spectroscopy?, a centre for developing biomedical applications of laser spectroscopic methods, was established at Manipal University in 1997. The scientists of the Centre, together with the physicians, surgeons, and pathologists of the KMC, initiated a number of research programs in this area. The main aim of the Centre was to develop spectroscopic methods for early detection, screening, monitoring therapy and identification of disease markers, with special emphasis on various cancers, so that these techniques can be applied for routine healthcare applications. Outcome of these research activities are covered in the book. A common platform of information can provide a more open communication enabling faster and better evolution of the spectroscopic methods for biomedical applications.
-
Capturing the Cosmic Light – A Handbook of Astrophotography
The Handbook of Astrophotography is the first book dedicated to Astronomical Imaging through modest equipment, and the first to be published in India. It is a chronicle of the techniques learnt and employed by the author and is by no means proprietary. It is assumed that the reader is equipped with the basic knowledge to use a digital camera. After showing the many methods to capture the Cosmos, the book shows how to process these images. It is designed to be a handbook and not a user manual. The author hopes that the reader will be confident in astronomical imaging and develop his/her own techniques after reading the book. Sathyakumar started Astrophotography in January 2006 with a homemade wooden star-tracking mount and a camera borrowed from a friend. He later used his homemade Newtonian reflector telescope and an inexpensive digital camera to capture photos of the Moon. With an MSc in Aerospace engineering from the University of Salford, Manchester, he joined Opticstar Ltd, as a design engineer. There he was trained on the latest of astronomical instruments available for the amateur astrophotographer and eventually purchased the Celestron C8 Schmidt cassegrain telescope and the CG-5 Equatorial mount. Currently, he uses a GSO 6 inch RC telescope and an HEQ5-PRO computerized mount as well as an Orion 80ED Apochromatic telescope for astrophotography. He also owns an Astrotrac to take wide field vistas of the Cosmos. He is now employed as a Scientific Officer at Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of Karnataka.
-
Culture and Creativity: Selected Writings by N Manu Chakravarthy
Culture and Creativity is a collection of essays of N Manu Chakravarthy, a prominent culture critic known for his discourses on music, cinema, literature and several aspects of culture and philosophy. This book illustrates the intellectual and ethical perspectives that shape his discussions on wide range of issues. These discussions are reflective of the inspiration he draws from his father Prof G N Chakravarthy and his teachers Prof C D Narasimhaiah, Prof U R Ananthamurthy, and Prof B Damodara Rao. The ideas of Ivan Illich and Noam Chomsky, and his friend D R Nagaraj are also instrumental in framing the critical nature of his interpretations. The essays in this book encompass Prof Manu Chakravarthy?s perspectives on religion, secularism, tradition, and modernity. The references to Sri Narayanaguru, M K Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and the interview with Gustavo Esteva, evince his preoccupation with madhyamamarga. They also foreground his views on nationalism, metaphysics, media, politics and the crises of the third world and India in a globalised context. This work is a testimony to the form of scholarship he values.
-
Kannada Theatre History 1850-1950: A Sourcebook
This source book on Kannada theatre history is a valuable contribution to the larger field of Indian Theatre Studies. Avoiding the shortcuts of an overview or a Wikipedia-like assemblage of information, it delves into the lives, histories, struggles, debates and anecdotes surrounding some of the most pioneering figures in the shaping of Kannada theatre between 1850-1950. The selection of primary sources, most of which are being made available in English for the first time, is nothing short of a revelation in the way it illuminates insights into the actual making and thinking of theatre practice. Here we have a model of how the construct of ?Indian Theatre? can be textured, inflected, individuated and problematized at regional, local and intracultural levels. ? Rustom Bharucha .This book is a labour of love by scholars who not only love Kannada theatre, but want to pass on their enjoyment of it. Delving deep into folklore oral history, local history, gossip debate and discourse, the editors bring out the world of Kannada theatres in pluralistic terms. Scholarship and playfulness combine to create a powerful act of storytelling where the book itself mimics the career of Kannada theatre. As an anthology it becomes an initiation rite, an introduction to all the great figures, not as hagiography but as nuanced analysis. Big questions and little questions combine to create both a sense of combativeness and a wonderful feeling of homecoming. Like tricksters, they break the binaries of tradition and modernity, treating it almost like a bad play which needs new scripts and new performers. A wonderful anthology. A deeply desi book, with all the cosmopolitanism of world theatre. ? Shiv Visvanathan
-
Childhood Cancer
Childhood Cancer is a major medical problem in most of the societies of the modern world. Though enough literature is available on the subject, it is not easily intelligible to common people. An ordinary parent whose ward is affected by any form of childhood cancer would beat a loss without the basic information. This book is aimed at educating a non-professional who wishes to grasp the problem in detail and in a simple way. The book primarily deals with the signs and symptoms of cancer in children which enable early detection. It is written in a lucid manner to remove the myth among parents that diagnosis of cancer in children amounts to a death sentence. Many of the childhood cancers, if detected early, can be cured completely, and the patients can live the rest of their lives like any other normal people. The book is an attempt to create this awareness among parents through proper information about the disease. Further, the book would also serve as a manual for MBBS students and professionals in other fields for primary treatment and management of the childhood cancer patients.
Interested customers may write to us at mup@manipal.edu about purchasing the book.
Also available on
-
Vaidehi Kathana
Vaidehi Kathana is the first full-length literary critical study of the fictional, non fictional and poetic narratives of Vaidehi, who is considered to be one of the most celebrated contemporary Indian writers in Kannada. This work reviews, introduces, discusses and interprets all the writings of Vaidehi, which include short stories, poems, essays and a novel. The book examines how this great Indian writer has been reacting and responding to her time and space for the last four decades. The book shows how Vaidehi?s poetics has so subtly blended with her politics thereby creating some of the outstanding masterpieces in poetry and fiction of our times. The book discusses the special features of Vaidehi?s feminist perspectives as well as the uniqueness of her narrative skills. Arguing that Vaidehi?s spiritual triumph is demonstrated in her technical triumph, the book draws the attention of the non-Kannada readers to the entire body of Vaidehi?s writings. Lucidly translated into English by the noted translator O L Nagabhushana Swamy, T P Ashoka?s Vaidehi Kathana provides a meaningful opportunity for the non-Kannada readers to familiarize themselves with one of the greatest contemporary writers of India. T P Ashoka?s Vaidehi Kathana is a significant contribution to modern Indian literary criticism. The book provides an interesting reading not only to the students of literature, researchers and teachers but also appeals to the general readers.
-
Legends of Travancore – A Numismatic Heritage
The Kingdom of Travancore in the Southern part of India was a native state in British India which was well known for its progressive outlook. Its enlightened royalty ruled the country as Sree Padmanabha Dasa. They had in place a well oiled administrative mechanism that implemented various programs and reforms, resulting in an overall development of Travancore. Though Travancore was under the colonial rulers, there was a well-orchestrated administrative machinery for coinage. Coins were minted as per the specifications ordered by the periodically issued Royal Proclamations. It is creditable that Travancore retained its independence in its functioning to a large extent. This book is an insight into the coins of Modern Travancore (from 1729 AD) which not only reflects the religious beliefs of the rulers, but also sketches the socio-political atmosphere of the period. Dr Joseph Thomas hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, is a Professor of Urology at Manipal University in India. His passion for collecting coins developed into a serious numismatic pursuit. His special area of interest is the study of the history of Venad and Travancore. His detailed study of the Travancore coins and the various related issues give an insight into the rich numismatic heritage of modern Travancore. He is a Life Member of the Philatelic and Numismatic Association of Thiruvananthapuram and a Life Member of the South Indian Numismatic Society, Chennai.