Library Services, Resources, and News: Fall 2025
I'm Randy Souther, the library's liaison for Physics & Astronomy.
This page highlights recent news, as well as some of the library's services and resources available to support faculty teaching and research. It will be updated ahead of each semester, and periodically in-between.
Selected Services and Resources
Reminders of key resources ahead of each semester—see more in Faculty Resources:
Class Instruction
I will meet with you and your class to provide an overview of library resources and research strategies tailored to specific assignments. (Please request at least two weeks in advance.)
Appointments
If you are new faculty and would like a personal overview of what the library offers—or if you've been around a while and would like a refresher—please schedule a time to meet. I also meet with students.
Course Reserves
The library can place both physical and online materials on reserve for your classes. We encourage you to make arrangements prior to the start of each semester or as soon as possible, and email gleesonreserves@usfca.edu with any questions.
Tip: Items previously on reserve must be renewed ahead of every semester that you wish to have them available.
Research Guides
We curate research guides for a variety of disciplines, topics, and classes. Please consider including a link to the Physics & Astronomy guide on your course canvas pages for your students.
Book Orders
If you would like us to purchase specific books for the library, please contact me via email with the information: randall.souther@usfca.edu. We're happy to partner with you to build a rich and useful collection.
Streaming Videos for Classroom Use
If you’re planning on using streaming videos from the library, we encourage you to make arrangements prior to the start of each semester.
Tip: Even if you’ve made arrangements to license a specific title in the past, please confirm that the license will be active during the upcoming semester. Many of our streaming videos are licensed for only a year at a time, and we want to make sure you have access when you need it.
More information:
Video and Streaming Media for Faculty guide
Open Access Publishing
Learn about open-access opportunities for your work.
Publisher Agreements
See our current agreements with journal publishers to allow USF faculty to publish their articles open access at reduced or no cost to the author.
USF Scholarship Repository
We encourage you to add your publications to the library's repository of USF scholarship for open access and archiving.
News
September 2025
Guide to AI Tools in Library Databases
Many of Gleeson Library's subscription databases are adding Generative AI and other AI tools to help you search, summarize, and analyze the information you find. This new guide identifies the AI tools currently available in our databases, and briefly shows you how to use them.
View AI Tools in Library Databases
August 2025
Library Budget Cut
The library budget has been cut permanently by more than $900,000. Some the outcomes of this cut include the following:
Personnel
1 librarian and 1.5 OPE staff positions eliminated (all presently vacant).
Collections (Journal and Database Subscriptions)
Several databases, journal packages, and individual journal subscriptions will be eliminated. A full list will be available on our Cancellations and Withdrawals web page later in the fall semester. This list will include:
- AIP: American Institute of Physics Journals (journal package) — includes 11 Physics journals.
- Cambridge Journals (journal package) — more than 400 journals covering a wide variety of disciplines including Computer Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Medicine, and Physics & Astronomy.
- Compendex (database)
- Sage Journals (journal package) — more than 1000 journals covering a wide variety of disciplines including Engineering and Life & Biomedical Sciences.
Please reach out to me if you wish to discuss in more detail our cancellations and their impacts.
View Cancellations & Withdrawals
New Administrative Position
The library will be hiring for a newly-created administrative position: Director of Operations & Budget.
The two primary areas this new role will be responsible for include Access Services and library-wide budget (non-collections). This position will be funded from one of the two presently vacant Associate Dean lines (or possibly from other vacant lines).
Scopus AI
We now have access to Scopus AI, a premium addition to our Scopus database subscription. Scopus AI is a generative AI tool that provides topic summaries based exclusively on the peer-reviewed literature (abstracts and metadata from 2003 forward) within the Scopus database. Scopus AI identifies the peer-reviewed sources for the claims in its summaries, and indicates its confidence level in addressing your query.
Tip: Just as general AI tools are not replacements for standard research, Scopus AI is not a replacement for a standard Scopus search and hands-on-review of results; but it can be a useful starting point to explore new or unfamiliar topics.
To use Scopus AI, login to Scopus as usual, and click the "Scopus AI" tab above the main search box.
July 2025
Change to Video Orders
Starting August 1, 2025 Gleeson Library will only accept requests to stream licensed videos which are available on the following platforms: Kanopy, Alexander Street, and Swank Digital Campus. In addition, the library has adopted a cap of $150 for a one year license or $350 for a three year license per title. While the library is unable to purchase video files and host them locally or add new platforms, we will carefully evaluate requests to purchase DVDs as long as they don’t exceed $150 per title. Faculty must use the Video Request Form to submit license or DVD purchase requests.
June 2025
Inspec with Full Text.
Our subscription to Inspec—the database covering research in physics, computer science, and engineering—has been upgraded with access to 1,500 full text journals.
April 2025
New Library Search Interfaces.
Gleeson Library will launch new, more intuitive interfaces for Fusion and EBSCOhost databases on June 16. The update offers improved design, accessibility, and features.
Users must manually migrate any saved alerts and folders. See the Fusion and EBSCOhost Database Updates guide for more information, FAQs, and a link to preview the new interface.
In addition to Fusion, 77 EBSCOhost databases will implement the new interface, including:
- Inspec
February 2025
New transformative agreement with Oxford University Press, and extended agreements with Cambridge University Press and Springer.
Transformative agreements allow you to publish your articles open access with no fees or reduced fees. Our current agreements are with Oxford, Cambridge, Elsevier, Springer, Association for Computing Machinery, and American Chemical Society.
View our Transformative Agreements
January 2025
ProQuest Ebook Central subscription ends February 1, 2025
ProQuest Ebook Central is one of our major ebook providers, and its cancellation will affect more than 250,000 titles in our collection.
If you rely on any specific ebook title for assigned readings in your courses, or for your own teaching or research, please check the ebook status below, and notify me promptly ( randall.souther@usfca.edu ) if the ebook is from ProQuest Ebook Central. Gleeson Library may be able to provide alternate access to frequently used ebooks.
See the link below to check the status of any ebook in question.
See the News Archive to view past news items for this and selected other disciplines.
Selected New Books in Physics & Astronomy
Book summaries composed with AI-assistance.
Celsius: A Life and Death by Degrees
This first full-length English biography of Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius explores his influential but brief life. Known for inventing the Centigrade (Celsius) scale, Celsius contributed not only to our understanding of temperature but also played a key role in Enlightenment science. Through travel and collaboration, he helped reveal new truths about the natural world. Though he died young, his discoveries and the principles he lived by resonate today—especially as the Celsius scale now marks critical global climate targets. His story offers enduring lessons for science, humanity, and our shared future.
A Jesuit's Guide to the Stars: Exploring Wonder, Beauty, and Science
A Jesuit’s Guide to the Stars invites readers to explore the cosmos with Br. Guy Consolmagno, a renowned Jesuit astronomer and director of the Vatican Observatory. Blending scientific expertise and spiritual reflection, Consolmagno illustrates how the wonders of astronomy enhance understanding of both Scripture and tradition, revealing a profound connection between science and faith. Featuring over 70 breathtaking images, the book charts his personal journey and professional discoveries, showing how the quest to understand the universe can be a meaningful path to seeking God. The work appeals to stargazers, scientists, and spiritual seekers alike, offering inspiration and contemplation.
Free Creations of the Human Mind: The Worlds of Albert Einstein
This book offers an insightful and nuanced account of Albert Einstein, presenting him as a global figure whose influence extends far beyond science. Recognized as the twentieth century’s most transformative scientist, Einstein’s theories of relativity and quantum mechanics are foundational for our understanding of the physical universe. His career was marked by both scientific innovation and deep engagement with contemporary political and humanitarian issues, including Zionism, pacifism, civil rights, and the challenges of his turbulent era. Drawing on extensive archival research, the text distinguishes Einstein’s authentic views from prevailing myths, portraying him as an individual whose genius, creativity, and humanism remain enduring cultural symbols.
Top Ten Ideas of Physics: Foundations for Understanding the Universe
A. Zee’s book explores ten profound concepts in theoretical physics that have fundamentally changed how we see the universe. He guides readers through ideas like the surprising quantum nature of reality, the consistency of physical laws, and the unity hidden beneath the surface of everyday matter. By revealing the deep symmetries, mathematical structures, and interconnected principles—such as entropy, information, and the action principle—Zee helps demonstrate why the universe is comprehensible and governed by elegant rules. With clarity and wit, the book shows how these enduring insights continue to shape our understanding of physics and the nature of existence.
Thermodynamics: From Energy and Entropy to Heat Transfer and Phase Transitions
How are thermals in gliding related to thermodynamic adiabatic processes? In what way can the concept of entropy be used to analyze a solar power plant in the desert? This book presents thermodynamics with a constant focus on practical applications from everyday life and technology. A deep understanding of thermodynamic principles is skillfully conveyed by applying theory to real-world situations.
Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray
Sabine Hossenfelder argues that physics’ obsession with beauty and elegance has led to impressive mathematics but flawed science, stalling major discoveries for decades. Favoring aesthetically pleasing yet untestable theories like supersymmetry, physicists have prioritized beauty over observation and scientific rigor. Hossenfelder contends that this dogma has trapped the field in a dead end, and urges scientists to abandon beauty as a guiding principle and refocus on empirical evidence to advance physics.
The Power of Nuclear: The Rise, Fall, and Return of our Mightiest Energy Source
Marco Visscher’s The Power of Nuclear traces the dramatic story of the atom, from Hiroshima’s B-29 cockpit to Chernobyl’s ruins and Finland’s nuclear waste vaults. Blending politics, culture, and technology, Visscher examines the myths and realities surrounding radiation, weapons, and energy. He asks hard questions: How dangerous is radiation? Do nuclear weapons promote safety or peril? Why resist evidence that nuclear power could supply virtually limitless clean energy and reduce fossil fuel dependence? Both historical and forward-looking, this compelling account investigates nuclear power’s controversies and possibilities, offering a clear-eyed perspective on one of the world’s most divisive energy sources.
A Crack in Everything: How Black Holes Came in from the Cold and Took Cosmic Centre Stage
Exploring humanity’s fundamental questions about space, time, and universal origins through black holes—regions where gravity prevents even light from escaping. When stars collapse, they form infinitely dense points. Initially proposed in 1916, Einstein dismissed the concept as absurd. However, scientists discovered Cygnus X-1 in 1971, then found supermassive black holes at galaxy centers via Hubble in the 1990s. The first black hole image emerged in 2019. Journalist-physicist Marcus Chown interviews key researchers, translating complex science into accessible language, chronicling black holes’ journey from theoretical curiosity to cosmic centerpiece.
Matter: The Magnificent Illusion
What is matter made of, and how does it hold together—from Earth to stars? Once dismissed since Democritus, the atomic idea gained traction with Galileo and Newton, and only in the last century have we uncovered matter’s elementary building blocks. Guido Tonelli traces how particles assemble into exotic quantum states: quark–gluon soups, neutron stars, and more. He tackles frontier questions: Is the vacuum a material state? How can spacetime vibrate? Do grains of space and time exist? What happens to matter inside black holes? With clear, vivid prose, Tonelli reveals a cold universe whose strange physics reshapes how we see the cosmos—and ourselves.
The Astronomy Book
The Astronomy Book offers a clear, visually engaging guide to over 100 key astronomical ideas, theories, and discoveries—from ancient observations and the Copernican Revolution to modern concepts like black holes, dark matter, and relativity. Part of DK’s award-winning Big Ideas series, it uses striking graphics, timelines, and accessible text to explain complex topics for beginners and experts alike. Featuring scientists from Ptolemy to Hawking, it explores the story of our understanding of space, time, and the cosmos, making it an ideal introduction or refresher for anyone curious about the universe.
The Board of Longitude: Science, Innovation and Empire
This book offers the first full history of the Board of Longitude, an influential 18th-century British institution created to solve the problem of determining longitude at sea. Drawing on newly digitized archives, the authors reveal how the Board supported navigators, clockmakers, and surveyors, produced the Nautical Almanac, and advanced exploration in the Pacific, Arctic, and colonial territories. Highlighting forgotten innovators, the work uncovers the Board’s role in science, technology, and empire during Georgian Britain’s era of industrial and imperial expansion—making it a vital study of the intersection between knowledge, state power, and global exploration.
Steven Weinberg: a Life in Physics
Steven Weinberg’s memoir offers a candid, witty reflection on his life in theoretical physics and cosmology, from student days to the Nobel Prize and the golden age of particle physics in the 1970s. Blending scientific insight with personal stories, he recalls key influences, academic challenges like the “two-body problem,” tenure, global conferences, and his work with JASON. He also shares his advocacy for the Superconducting Super Collider and experiences as a public intellectual and author. Both historical and personal, his account provides physicists, historians, and curious readers with a vivid portrait of a career that shaped modern science.
Smithson's Gamble: The Smithsonian Institution in American Life, 1836-1906
Smithson’s Gamble by Tom D. Crouch traces the Smithsonian Institution’s first 60 years, from James Smithson’s unlikely bequest to its rise as the world’s largest museum and research complex. Evolving from a small, focused entity into a leader in disciplines from astrophysics to zoology, it shaped America’s identity, advanced conservation, and even birthed the national weather service. Through political intrigue, controversy, and scientific triumphs, Crouch’s account reveals how curiosity and exploration drove progress, fueled by dedicated researchers and citizen scientists. Rich with characters, drama, and innovation, it captures how Smithson’s vision became a cornerstone of American cultural and scientific life.
Battle of the Big Bang: The New Tales of Our Cosmic Origins
Battle of the Big Bang explores bold, competing theories about the universe’s origins—from bouncing cosmos and multiverses to black hole births and time loops. Cosmologist Niayesh Afshordi and science writer Phil Halper dive into what might have preceded the Big Bang, blending cutting-edge physics with interviews from leading thinkers like Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose. The book compares these imaginative models, highlighting their merits, challenges, and the scientific rivalries behind them. More than a cosmology primer, it’s a compelling look at how curiosity, debate, and discovery continue to reshape our deepest understanding of space, time, and existence.
The New Order: How AI Rewrites the Narrative of Science
The New Order: How AI Rewrites the Narrative of Science by Chris Edwards argues that science has developed in the “wrong” chronological order—overlooking thermodynamics as a central foundation. This misalignment, Edwards suggests, has hindered a unified understanding across disciplines. With the rise of AI, we can now reorganize scientific knowledge based on core principles like entropy and probability. Tracing science from its roots to quantum physics, the book proposes a bold new framework for interpreting the universe—one that AI is uniquely equipped to explore. By rethinking science’s structure, we open new pathways to insight and discovery.
The Story of Astrophysics in Five Revolutions
The Story of Astrophysics in Five Revolutions by Ersilia Vaudo explores five pivotal discoveries that reshaped our understanding of the universe: Newton’s laws of gravity, Einstein’s theories of relativity, Hubble’s expanding universe, and the discovery of antimatter. Written in poetic prose, the book traces how each breakthrough expanded our cosmic perspective, transforming not just science but our place in the universe. Blending scientific insight with philosophical reflection, Vaudo invites readers to embrace the mystery and wonder of ongoing discovery, urging openness to future revelations in our ever-evolving understanding of the cosmos.
Machine Learning for Physics and Astronomy
This hands-on textbook introduces machine learning techniques tailored for the physical sciences, emphasizing critical thinking and real-world problem-solving. It guides readers through building, optimizing, and applying ML models using publicly available data in fields like quantum physics, astronomy, and cosmology. With examples such as galaxy classification and particle identification at the LHC, the book includes Jupyter Notebooks, exercises, and quizzes for practical learning. Designed for advanced undergraduates and early graduate students in STEM, it’s also accessible to self-learners with basic calculus and linear algebra knowledge. Instructor resources include slides and assessments for teaching support.
Comets III
Comets III presents a thorough update on the past two decades of comet research, highlighting breakthroughs from space missions, telescopic observations, and robotic surveys. With contributions from over 80 experts, it explores the origins, composition, and dynamics of comets, revealing their role in understanding the early solar system and planetary formation. Organized to foster cross-disciplinary insight, this volume connects planetary science and astrophysics, addressing key unsolved questions and laying the groundwork for future discovery. Designed for researchers and students alike, Comets III is an essential resource for modern cometary science.
Enrico Fermi, Atomic Physics Lectures
In autumn 1949, Enrico Fermi returned to Italy after eleven years to deliver nine influential lectures—six in Rome, three in Milan—addressing young physicists and a society recovering from war. Published in English for the first time, this volume includes these lectures, essays on Fermi’s life and teaching style, and an introduction by the editors. Produced in collaboration with the Italian Physical Society for the 70th anniversary of Fermi’s death, the book offers valuable insight into Fermi’s scientific thinking and legacy, appealing to physicists, historians of science, and readers interested in the life of this pioneering Nobel laureate.
From the Laboratory to the Moon: The Quiet Genius of George R. Carruthers
From the Laboratory to the Moon tells the inspiring story of George Carruthers, the pioneering Black scientist who invented the first astronomical observatory on the moon for Apollo 16. Despite facing racial barriers, Carruthers became a celebrated aerospace innovator and earned the President’s Medal for Technology and Invention. Historian David DeVorkin traces Carruthers’s journey from his Ohio childhood to his groundbreaking work at the US Naval Research Laboratory, highlighting his scientific achievements and his commitment to inspiring underserved students to pursue science and engineering. This biography shines a light on a remarkable, yet often overlooked, figure in space exploration.
A Billion Butterflies: A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory
A Billion Butterflies tells the inspiring true story of Dr. Jagadish Shukla, whose pioneering work revolutionized modern weather forecasting. Born in rural India, Shukla overcame adversity to become a leading climate scientist, advancing our ability to predict weather weeks and seasons ahead—saving lives and feeding millions. His journey from a cow shed classroom to MIT, Princeton, and a shared Nobel Peace Prize is a testament to determination and innovation. This memoir offers a compelling insider’s view of climate science and celebrates how Shukla’s legacy continues to shape our understanding of the world.
The Telescope in the Ice: Inventing a New Astronomy at the South Pole
IceCube, situated beneath the ice at the South Pole, is the world’s largest particle detector, built to observe neutrinos rather than light. Using a cubic kilometer of clear ice, it made history in 2010 by detecting the first high-energy neutrinos from space, launching a new branch of astronomy. IceCube’s research explores astrophysics, cosmology, and particle physics, focusing on the elusive neutrino—one of nature’s most mysterious particles. The book “The Telescope in the Ice” celebrates both the scientific quest to understand neutrinos and the dedicated people pioneering this cutting-edge field, capturing the excitement and challenge of discovery.
Creatures of Reason: John Herschel and the Invention of Science
John Herschel, Britain’s preeminent natural philosopher and son of astronomer William Herschel, defined modern science in the early 19th century. He excelled at Cambridge, revolutionized chemistry and optics, advanced mathematics, and mapped the entire sky. Herschel’s popular writings taught a generation how to do science, and his vision shaped scientific theory as “creatures of reason.” This book, using unpublished manuscripts and archives, explores Herschel’s impact across disciplines and his role in transforming science into a profession, shaping its organization and relationship to society, government, and culture.
Einstein on Israel and Zionism, New Enrriched Edition
Einstein on Israel and Zionism challenges the popular belief that Einstein was a staunch advocate for a Jewish state in Israel. Instead, Fred Jerome reveals that while Einstein supported a Jewish homeland in Palestine, he strongly opposed a Jewish state that would dominate or be in conflict with Arabs. Drawing on previously unpublished or untranslated material from 1919 to 1955, Jerome shows that Einstein feared such a state would undermine Zionism’s ideals and lead to ongoing strife—a warning that, if heeded, might have prevented the enduring conflicts in the region.
Nonlinear Optical Technology: From the Beginning
Nonlinear Optical Technology offers a comprehensive introduction to nonlinear optics (NLO), focusing on its applications in fiber optics, biomedicine, sensors, microscopy, spectroscopy, and machining. Developed at Dartmouth College, the book uses a practical, application-driven format: each section introduces a new NLO-enabled technology, explains the underlying concepts, and explores related advancements. With insights from the author’s pioneering experience, it is designed for engineers and students from diverse backgrounds, requiring no advanced prior knowledge. This resource is ideal for anyone interested in understanding or applying NLO across various technical fields.
Stand Out with Your Scientific Poster: A Step by Step Approach
This book provides you with a step-by-step guide to making a scientific poster that has real impact. Are you a researcher who struggles when it comes to creating scientific posters? Or do you simply want to get better at it? This book provides you with a step-by-step guide to making a poster that has real impact to ensure you stand out from the crowd at your next poster fair. A practical guide that gives you answers to questions like: what to put on a poster (and mainly: what not to)? How do you come up with a title that immediately grabs people's attention? What are the best images to use? How many words can you include on your poster? And much, much more... Everything you need to get started step-by-step and quickly achieve the best result.
Fundamentals of Dark Matter
Fundamentals of Dark Matter offers an accessible yet rigorous introduction to dark matter, tailored for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Ignacio Ferreras covers key discoveries, historical challenges, and evidence supporting dark matter’s role in cosmology. The textbook features clear explanations, learning outcomes, and thought-provoking questions in each chapter, encouraging critical thinking and curiosity. It also explores recent advances in galaxy formation and the ongoing quest to understand dark matter’s true nature, making it an ideal resource for courses in extragalactic astrophysics or cosmology.
Vector: A Surprising Story of Space, Time, and Mathematical Transformation
“Vector” by Robyn Arianrhod explores the profound impact of vectors and tensors on scientific understanding. These mathematical tools, representing magnitude and direction, revolutionized physics and mathematics. The book traces their 5,000-year development, highlighting contributions from Maxwell, Einstein, Dirac, and Noether. Vectors and tensors enabled breakthroughs in electromagnetism, relativity, quantum field theory, and conservation laws. Their versatility extends beyond physics, facilitating modern technologies like search engines and GPS. Arianrhod’s work celebrates how these seemingly simple concepts transformed our ability to describe and explore multidimensional spaces, reshaping our perception of the universe.
Building Quantum Computers: A Practical Introduction
“Building Quantum Computers” explores four leading quantum computing platforms: nuclear magnetic resonance, quantum optics, trapped ions, and superconducting systems. The textbook covers fundamental physics concepts, practical implementation, and analyzes each platform’s strengths and weaknesses. With over 80 exercises, applied problems, and further reading suggestions, it offers a comprehensive learning experience for senior undergraduate and graduate students in physics, engineering, and computer science. The book provides crucial insights into the rapidly advancing field of quantum computing, which has attracted significant investment and talent in the global race to build the first quantum computer.
Walter Kohn: From Kindertransport and Internment to DFT and The Nobel Prize
Walter Kohn, the 1998 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, led an extraordinary life marked by his escape from Nazi-occupied Vienna and internment as an “enemy alien” in Canada. His groundbreaking Density Functional Theory (DFT) revolutionized molecular simulation across scientific disciplines. This biography by Sir David Clary chronicles Kohn’s remarkable journey from refugee to renowned scientist, detailing his pivotal sabbatical in France where he discovered DFT, his dedication to peace initiatives, and efforts to reduce nuclear proliferation. Kohn’s story exemplifies the triumph of scientific brilliance over adversity, culminating in a theoretical physicist winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Tunguska: A Siberian Mystery and Its Environmental Legacy
In 1908, a massive explosion in Siberia’s Tunguska region flattened an area of forest larger than London. This mysterious event sparked widespread speculation and scientific investigation. Andy Bruno’s book explores the Tunguska explosion’s impact on Russian society, culture, and the environment. He delves into the various expeditions and research efforts aimed at understanding the disaster, highlighting how uncertainty allowed unconventional ideas to enter scientific discourse. Bruno’s account demonstrates the explosion’s influence on landscape management and examines the broader implications of cosmic disasters for both past and future.
Einstein's Tutor: The Story of Emmy Noether and the Invention of Modern Physics
Emmy Noether, a mathematical genius, made groundbreaking contributions to science despite facing gender discrimination. Her work was crucial for Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and led to “Noether’s Theorem,” fundamental to modern physics. Despite being denied opportunities given to male colleagues, Noether’s optimism and intellect allowed her to persevere. Her insights continue to amaze scientists a century later, highlighting both her exceptional talent and the detrimental effects of sexual prejudice in the sciences during the 20th century.
The Physics Book
“The Physics Book” is a comprehensive guide that explores over 90 fundamental questions in physics, covering major laws, theories, and breakthroughs from ancient civilizations to modern times. The book presents complex concepts through concise explanations, step-by-step diagrams, quotes, and illustrations. It includes topics like Pythagoras’s music observations, Galileo’s experiments, Newton’s laws of motion, Einstein’s relativity, and the Big Bang theory. With a foreword by Professor Jim Al-Khalil, the book profiles over 80 key ideas and events, using thought-provoking visuals to demystify central concepts. Part of DK’s award-winning Big Ideas series, it aims to make physics accessible to both students and curious readers.
The Names of Science: Terminology and Language in the History of the Natural Sciences
“The Names of Science” by Helge Kragh explores the historical evolution of scientific terminology from the Renaissance to the present. The book examines how new words entered the scientific lexicon, their origins, and why some terms survived while others didn’t. Kragh combines linguistics with the history of natural sciences, offering a unique perspective on scientific language development. The work covers various scientific fields, including physics, chemistry, astronomy, and cosmology, and briefly discusses how English became the dominant language of science. Unlike other works, this book emphasizes the historical dimension of scientific language and scientists’ role as unintentional linguists.
Pillars of Creation: How the James Webb Telescope Unlocked the Secrets of the Cosmos
“Pillars of Creation” by Richard Panek chronicles the James Webb Space Telescope’s journey from conception to revolutionary discoveries. This $10 billion instrument aims to unlock cosmic secrets, exploring the origins of our solar system, searching for exoplanetary life, and tracing galactic evolution back to the first stars. Panek offers an insider’s view of the mission’s challenges and triumphs, showcasing the telescope’s groundbreaking technology and its impact on our understanding of the universe. The book features stunning full-color images captured by Webb, celebrating human ingenuity and our deepest venture into space exploration yet.
Pistols in St Paul's: Science, Music, and Architecture in the Twentieth Century
“Pistols in St Paul’s” chronicles the pioneering efforts of scientists, architects, and musicians in 20th-century Britain to understand and develop architectural acoustics. The book explores innovative experiments conducted at various locations, from St Paul’s Cathedral to Abbey Road Studios, aimed at treating buildings as musical instruments. These groundbreaking studies culminated in the 1951 opening of the Royal Festival Hall, the first building specifically designed for musical tone. This comprehensive account highlights the power of international collaboration during challenging times and showcases the evolution of a new scientific field over five decades.
Tiny Quantum, Giant Revolution
The quantum revolution is ushering in a new era of science and technology, necessitating the establishment of Schools of Quantum Science and Technology. This revolution integrates STEAM disciplines and builds upon the foundations laid by pioneers like Heisenberg. The UN’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology underscores its significance. The Second Quantum Revolution combines quantum knowledge with engineering, leading to advanced quantum computers, communications, and sensors. It promises to accelerate cross-field exploration and improve human life. Unlike the First Quantum Revolution, which utilized existing materials, the Second Quantum Revolution involves creating new quantum materials and machines, marking a transformative period in scientific history.
Charge: Why Does Gravity Rule?
Frank Close explores the mystery of matter’s neutrality in this concise journey through fundamental physics. The book examines the balance between positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons, which allows gravity to dominate at large scales. Close delves into the quantum world, discussing electromagnetic, strong, and weak forces, as well as the Standard Model and Higgs boson. He investigates why proton and electron charges are exactly equal despite their differences, touching on grand unification theories and their implications for matter’s stability. The author presents current understanding and ongoing experiments in particle physics, offering a rich overview of this complex field.
The Universe and Beyond
The sixth edition of “The Universe and Beyond” by Terence and Susan Dickinson offers an updated exploration of cosmic discoveries since the previous edition. It covers recent advancements in understanding black holes, dark matter, exoplanets, and the universe’s origin. The book features stunning images from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes, showcasing breakthroughs like the first gravitational waves and black hole image. Key topics include new exoplanet discoveries, theories about extraterrestrial life, and upcoming space missions. This edition provides a comprehensive overview of late-breaking astronomical research, catering to both enthusiasts and casual readers interested in the latest cosmic revelations.
Life As No One Knows It: The Physics of Life's Emergence
“Life as No One Knows It” by Sara Imari Walker presents a groundbreaking scientific theory on the nature and emergence of life. Walker argues that current definitions of life are inadequate and proposes a new paradigm to understand life’s origins and potential forms beyond Earth. The book explores the work of innovative scientists tackling this complex problem and introduces a novel theory for identifying and classifying life universally. Walker’s approach aims to bridge the gap between physics and biology, offering a fresh perspective on one of science’s most challenging questions.
Waves in an Impossible Sea: How Everyday Life Emerges from the Cosmic Ocean
In “Waves in an Impossible Sea,” physicist Matt Strassler explores the enigmatic nature of empty space and its role in the universe. Using everyday experiences to illustrate complex physics concepts, Strassler compares space to a paradoxical sea that ripples in various ways. He explains how matter, including ourselves, emerges from these ripples, allowing effortless movement through space. The book weaves together relativity, quantum mechanics, and particle physics to reveal how the universe generates everything from apparent nothingness, offering readers an accessible yet profound understanding of their place in the cosmos.
The Impossible Man: Roger Penrose and the Cost of Genius
“The Impossible Man” by Patchen Barss is a biography of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Roger Penrose. The book explores Penrose’s journey from a child fascinated by a sundial to becoming a groundbreaking mathematician and physicist. It highlights his significant contributions to theoretical physics and his ability to perceive the beauty in complex mathematical concepts. The biography also delves into Penrose’s personal struggles, particularly in forming close relationships. Barss’s work, based on extensive research and interviews, offers a nuanced portrait of Penrose, examining both his scientific genius and his human complexities.
The Secret Life of the Universe: An Astrobiologist's Search for the Origins and Frontiers of Life
“The Secret Life of the Universe” by Nathalie A. Cabrol explores humanity’s quest to find extraterrestrial life. This comprehensive guide delves into the origins of life on Earth, the potential for life on Mars and icy moons in our solar system, and the search for habitable exoplanets. Cabrol, an astrobiologist and director of the Carl Sagan Center at SETI, presents cutting-edge research and recent astronomical discoveries that suggest the possibility of widespread life in the universe. The book offers an authoritative and awe-inspiring journey through the cosmos, addressing one of humanity’s most profound questions: Are we alone?
Einstein's Entanglement: Bell Inequalities, Relativity, and the Qubit
“Einstein’s Entanglement” explores the mystery of quantum entanglement, a phenomenon Einstein called “spooky actions at a distance.” Despite experimental confirmation, its interpretation remains controversial, with various explanations challenging our understanding of reality. The book proposes a solution based on Einstein’s relativity principle and quantum information theory, arguing that quantum mechanics and special relativity are actually consistent. This approach avoids common interpretations like incompleteness, superdeterminism, or retrocausality, offering a new perspective on this fundamental quantum phenomenon.
Chain Reactions: The Hopeful History of Uranium
“Chain Reactions” explores uranium’s multifaceted history and its impact on science, culture, and society. The book delves into uranium’s diverse applications, from glassmaking and medicine to atomic weapons and energy production. It examines how our understanding of uranium has evolved, influencing public perception and shaping attitudes towards nuclear technology. By presenting a comprehensive global history of this element, the author aims to foster a more balanced discussion about the potential role of nuclear power in our future. This nuanced approach encourages readers to reconsider their views on atomic energy and its feasibility in addressing contemporary energy challenges.
Feminist Bioethics in Space: Gender Inequality in Space Exploration
“Feminist Bioethics in Space” by Konrad Szocik explores bioethical issues in space exploration through a feminist lens. The book examines how injustice, inequality, and oppression may manifest in extraterrestrial endeavors. It covers topics like human autonomy, reproduction, bio-enhancement, and the exclusivity of spacefaring. Szocik highlights the importance of considering marginalized groups, including people with disabilities, in space-related activities. The work also addresses population ethics in interplanetary contexts. By applying feminist philosophy to space exploration, the book aims to enrich our understanding and approach to future cosmic ventures, emphasizing the need for inclusive and equitable space development.
Attention Is Discovery: The Life and Legacy of Astronomer Henrietta Leavitt
“Attention Is Discovery” by Anna Von Mertens explores the life and work of Henrietta Leavitt, a pioneering astronomer who laid the foundation for modern cosmology. The book highlights Leavitt’s meticulous study of glass plate photographs of the night sky, which led to her groundbreaking discovery of the relationship between the luminosity and period of Cepheid variable stars. This finding enabled astronomers to calculate the size of the Milky Way. Von Mertens interweaves essays, collaborations with experts, and her own artistic responses to Leavitt’s work, emphasizing the power of close observation in scientific discovery and artistic creation.
Serendipity: The Unexpected in Science
“Serendipity” by Telmo Pievani explores the role of unexpected discoveries in scientific progress. The book delves into the concept’s origins, presents a taxonomy of serendipitous findings, and examines the conditions that foster such discoveries. Pievani argues that serendipity is not mere luck but a combination of curiosity, sagacity, and imagination. He illustrates this through various examples beyond common ones like penicillin or X-rays. The author emphasizes that serendipity reveals the vastness of human ignorance and highlights how the human brain, evolved within the world it investigates, is uniquely suited to make these unexpected connections.
The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Space, Time, and Motion
Sean Carroll’s book offers an accessible exploration of complex physics concepts, using calculus as a foundation. The author demystifies equations, presenting them as meaningful “poems” that reveal the universe’s secrets. Carroll guides readers through advanced ideas like Einstein’s theory of general relativity, black holes, and multidimensional landscapes. The book aims to inspire a new way of understanding physics, making it engaging for a wide audience. It draws comparisons to Richard Feynman’s legendary lectures, promising to be a timeless and culturally significant introduction to modern physics.
Quanta and Fields: The Biggest Ideas in the Universe
Sean Carroll’s “Quanta and Fields,” the second book in “The Biggest Ideas in the Universe” series, offers a unique approach to explaining quantum field theory to a general audience. Carroll delves into the fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics, including measurement and entanglement, before exploring the nature of fields. The book elucidates complex topics such as antimatter, atomic structure, and the Higgs mechanism without relying on simplistic analogies. Instead, Carroll presents the mathematical essence of these theories in an accessible manner, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the universe’s underlying structure.
The Clock in the Sun: How We Came to Understand Our Nearest Star
“The Clock in the Sun” by Pierre Sokolsky explores the history of sunspot observations and their impact on our understanding of the Sun. From ancient interpretations as omens to modern scientific studies, the book traces how different cultures viewed these solar phenomena. It covers the discovery of the 11-year sunspot cycle and its potential influences on Earth. Sokolsky examines key figures and breakthroughs in solar research, contextualizing them within their historical and cultural settings. The book offers a comprehensive look at how our knowledge of the Sun has evolved, from ancient sun worship to contemporary satellite observations of stellar magnetic fields.
Einstein and the Quantum Revolutions
“Einstein and the Quantum Revolutions” explores two quantum revolutions that transformed our understanding of reality. The first, in the early 20th century, introduced concepts like wave-particle duality and led to inventions such as transistors and lasers. The second, ongoing revolution, initiated by a 1935 debate between Einstein and Bohr, focuses on quantum entanglement. Nobel laureate Alain Aspect’s research on entangled particles demonstrates potential applications in cryptography and quantum computing. This accessible book explains how philosophical debates in quantum physics shape new technological realities, offering insights into the physics of the future.
Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX
“Liftoff” by Eric Berger chronicles SpaceX’s remarkable journey from a struggling startup to a leading aerospace company. The book focuses on the company’s first four Falcon 1 rocket launches, detailing the challenges faced and overcome. It explores how SpaceX, with limited resources, competed against industry giants and revolutionized space travel. Berger’s narrative, based on extensive insider access and interviews, including with Elon Musk, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s early days. The book highlights Musk’s visionary leadership and SpaceX’s ultimate triumph in becoming a pioneer in reusable rockets and commercial space exploration.
Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets That Launched a Second Space Age
SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002, has become the dominant force in the modern space industry, launching more payloads into orbit than all other companies combined. “Reentry” by Eric Berger chronicles the untold story of the diverse team behind SpaceX’s success. The book details their journey from a shaky startup to a game-changing spaceflight company, overcoming numerous challenges including launchpad explosions, technical issues, and Musk’s demanding management style. It highlights key innovations like reusable rockets and ambitious goals such as sending NASA astronauts to space and potentially colonizing Mars. The narrative showcases how SpaceX’s innovative approach and perseverance reshaped the space industry.
The Odd Quantum
“The Odd Quantum” by Sam Treiman offers a concise yet comprehensive introduction to quantum mechanics for non-experts. Treiman, a renowned physicist, explains the field’s core concepts, including its probabilistic nature, the uncertainty principle, and wave-particle duality. He explores how particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously and move through seemingly impenetrable barriers. The book delves into quantum field theory, discussing particle indistinguishability and creation/annihilation. While addressing deep philosophical questions, Treiman maintains accessibility, combining scientific rigor with engaging prose to illuminate the strange and fascinating world of quantum physics.
Archimedes: Fulcrum of Science
Archimedes of Syracuse, revered by scientific giants like Galileo and Newton, was a groundbreaking mathematician and engineer in 212 BCE. Nicholas Nicastro's reimagining dispels the myth of an aloof, physically inept figure, portraying Archimedes as ambitious, competitive, and combative. This ancient polymath challenged an empire with his intellect, possessing knowledge that surpassed Europe's understanding for nearly two millennia. Nicastro presents Archimedes as the world's first truly modern scientist, a genius whose work laid the foundation for transformative discoveries centuries before his intellectual successors reshaped our understanding of the world.
The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science
Marie Curie, the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two scientific fields, was a pioneering physicist and chemist who revolutionized our understanding of radioactivity. Dava Sobel's biography not only highlights Curie's groundbreaking research but also her personal life, including her role as a professor, mother, and wartime volunteer. The book explores Curie's lasting impact on science and her inspiration to generations of women scientists. Sobel uniquely frames Curie's story alongside the achievements of her female protégés and her daughter Irène, showcasing the far-reaching legacy of this remarkable scientist who broke barriers in a male-dominated field.
Critical Connections: The University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge from the Dawn of the Atomic Age to the Present
The Manhattan Project transformed Oak Ridge, Tennessee, into a secret city crucial for developing the atomic bomb during World War II. After the war, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Y-12 National Security Complex became pivotal in scientific research, fostering close ties with the University of Tennessee. This partnership led to breakthroughs in physics, biology, and computing. In 2000, UT-Battelle LLC won the bid to manage ORNL, with UT providing scientific direction and Battelle overseeing operations. The collaboration between academia, government facilities, and industry in Oak Ridge has been instrumental in addressing major scientific challenges and continues to shape research for the future.
From Nuclear Weapons to Global Security: 75 Years of Research and Development at Sandia National Laboratories
Sandia National Laboratories, originally focused on nuclear weapons development, has evolved into a multifaceted scientific institution addressing complex global security challenges. This book traces Sandia's history from its World War II origins to its current role as a leader in innovation. It covers pivotal events that shaped national security missions, including the Sputnik launch, Vietnam War, energy crises, Cold War's end, and 9/11. The narrative highlights Sandia's adaptability and its contributions to various fields beyond weapons, encompassing economic, energy, environmental, and nonproliferation issues. The book serves as a comprehensive resource on Sandia's technological developments and its crucial role in ensuring US and global security.
Eruptions on the Sun
This book explores solar eruptive phenomena, the primary sources of space weather disturbances. It covers the Sun's role in human history, its structure, and the drivers of solar activity. The text delves into solar magnetic fields, their characteristics, and their role in energy release during flares, prominence eruptions, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Particular attention is given to prominences and filaments as potential CME progenitors, discussing their equilibrium and stability. The book highlights the importance of predicting CME arrivals for space weather forecasting and presents measurable characteristics that indicate a prominence's proximity to instability. Rich in illustrations and scientific references, it serves as a valuable resource for astrophysicists, solar physicists, geophysicists, and students in related fields.