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Cosmos

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Combien de personnes qui regardaient la série «Cosmos» à la télévision (PBS aux Etats-Unis - peut-être le meilleur astronomie et séries de science générale jamais produit par eux) ne pourrait jamais oublier l'intonation de Carl Sagan à proclamer les merveilles de l'univers en termes grand, des milliards et des milliards des étoiles et des galaxies et des planètes (et par conséquent, tout le reste).
Bien que ce livre a été publié en 1980 pour être un compagnon pour la série télévisée, il n'en est pas moins une certaine intemporalité à ce sujet. Beaucoup de textes scientifiques (même les lecteurs en général comme celui-ci) deviennent en date assez rapidement. Pourtant, ce livre reste un volume auquel je me réfère à maintes reprises pour son histoire, la philosophie et un aperçu de la méthode scientifique et de la personnalité.

Ce livre, plus que tout la source d'inspiration pour moi d'étudier l'astronomie. Bien que je n'ai pas pris un diplôme dans cette (quand je suis arrivé à l'université, j'ai été informé que j'avais déjà étudié plus de leur programme d'études de premier cycle à condition, que je devrais prendre un peu de physique et de mathématiques, puis prendre une maîtrise plus tard, si vous êtes intéressés - qui peut se produire après la progression de mon niveau actuel est terminé), mon intérêt pour l'astronomie est restée forte et imprègne beaucoup de mes autres intérêts, y compris mon travail actuel de la théologie et la philosophie.

La présentation visuelle de ce livre est magnifique. Photos, en particulier ceux des télescopes, sondes spatiales, et dramatique interprétations artistiques des phénomènes n'est pas encore capturé sur le film donne une idée réelle de l'objet.

Sagan commence le livre avec un grand tour de l'univers, à partir des bords ultrapériphériques et les quasars et des inconnues, et de voyager en arrière à travers les galaxies et les étoiles, en passant des objets intéressants, tels que des nébuleuses, des trous noirs, pépinières d'étoiles, les systèmes planétaires, enfin pour une arrivée sur la terre, la planète unique (de notre point de vue), car il a la vie.

De là, Sagan remonte dans l'histoire de la grande bibliothèque d'Alexandrie, qui reste un objet de fascination (actuelle fouilles archéologiques continuent à Alexandrie, et il ya des plans différents pour officialisant la bibliothèque). Il introduit les premiers efforts de la méthode scientifique et d'investigation en discutant Eratosthène, un bibliothécaire qui a enquêté sur les rapports dans les différents textes pour lui-même, plutôt que de prendre les choses à leur valeur nominale.

Les chapitres comprennent des explorations de l'astronomie planétaire, avec une attention particulière à Mars; astronomie stellaire et le cycle de vie des étoiles, les questions de l'espace et le temps, les questions d'observation et de l'épistémologie (comment savons-nous ce que nous savons, et pourquoi nous pensons que nous le connaissons ?), l'origine et le destin de l'univers, l'idée de la vie sur d'autres planètes (Sagan confesse à un préjugé - l'idée que la vie doit être basée sur le carbone, et pas d'autres éléments), et l'idée de SETI (Search for intelligence extraterrestre), qui en raison de travaux de Sagan et de l'influence continue aujourd'hui de diverses manières dans le monde entier. Enfin, Sagan aborde la politique de la science (et de la politique en général), donnant un espoir prudent pour le sort de la terre - ce fut l'apogée de la guerre froide, après tout.

«Nous sommes l'incarnation locale d'un Cosmos passé à la conscience de soi. Nous avons commencé à réfléchir à nos origines: starstuff méditant les étoiles; assemblages organisés de dix milliards de milliards de milliards d'atomes considérant l'évolution des atomes; traçage le long voyage qui, ici, au moins, la conscience se pose. Notre loyauté est à l'espèce et la planète. Nous parlons de la Terre. Notre obligation de survivre est dû non seulement à nous-mêmes mais aussi pour que Cosmos, ancienne et vaste, d'où l'on ressort.

Intelligent, écrit avec grâce et humour, le récit est en grande partie non-technique, mais pas condescendant et se prête bien à la compréhension. (traduction)

This is the third book that I've read about the Universe; the first one by Bill Bryson was a little bit too general (but funnier), the second by Hawking was a bit out of my league, and Dr Sagan's book is maybe the one that suits me the best. It covers all the knowledge that you might want to learn about the cosmos in a way that everyone can understand.

The negative points are that it might be a bit outdated (but it's still a classic!) and that the stunning photos included in the paperback are not present in the kindle version (the hardcover version deserves at least one more star).

Il y a déjà quelques lustres j'ai été fan de cette série, ensuite j'allais à la biliothèque municipale pour lire le livre traduit à l'espagnol, maintenant j'ai la chance d'avoir la version en anglais de l'original et c'est un pur plaisir de retrouver les explications du grand Carl Sagan sur notre humble place dans le Cosmos. Bien que d'occasion le livre est intact mais avec l'allure automnale des livres de sagesse

Quite comprehensive book, moving between scientific explanations giving us a history of the universe, galaxies, stars, our sun, the earth, etc and a history of science itself. The author also expresses opinions and ideas about humanity, which clearly date from the cold war era, but which still resonate today.

How many people who watched the 'Cosmos' series on television (PBS in America - perhaps the best astronomy and general science series ever produced by them) could ever forget Carl Sagan's intonation at proclaiming the wonders of the universe in grand terms, billions and billions of stars and galaxies and planets (and consequently, everything else).

While this book was published in 1980 to be a companion to the television series, there is nonetheless a certain timelessness about it. Many science texts (even general readers such as this) become dated fairly quickly. Yet this book remains a volume to which I refer time and again for its history, philosophy and insight into scientific method and personality.

This book more than anything provided the inspiration for me to study astronomy. While I did not take a degree in it (when I arrived at university I was informed that I had already studied more than their undergraduate curriculum provided; that I should take some physics and mathematics courses and then take a Master's degree later if interested--which may happen after the my current degree progress is completed), my interest in astronomy has remained strong and permeates many of my other interests, including my current work in theology and philosophy.

The visual presentation of this book is stunning. Pictures, particularly those from telescopes, space probes, and dramatic artistic renderings of phenomena not yet captured on film give a real feel for the subject.

Sagan begins the book with a grand tour of the universe, starting at the outermost edges with quasars and unknowns, and travelling back through galaxies and stars, passing interesting objects such as nebulae, black holes, stellar nurseries, planetary systems, finally to arrive back on earth, the unique planet (from our perspective) because it has life.

From here, Sagan goes back in history to the great library of Alexandria, which remains an object of fascination (current archaeological excavations continue in Alexandria, and there are various plans for memorialising the library). He introduces early efforts at scientific method and investigation by discussing Eratosthenes, a librarian who investigated reports in the various texts for himself, rather than taking things at face value.

Chapters include explorations of planetary astronomy, with special attention to Mars; stellar astronomy and the life cycle of stars; issues of space and time; issues of observation and epistemology (how do we know what we know, and why do we think we know it?); the origin and fate of the universe; the idea of life on other planets (Sagan confesses to a prejudice--the idea that life must be based on carbon, and not other elements); and the idea of SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) which due to Sagan's work and influence continues today in various ways around the globe. Finally, Sagan discusses the politics of science (and politics in general) giving a cautious hope for the fate of the earth--this was the height of the Cold War, after all.

'We are the local embodiment of a Cosmos grown to self-awareness. We have begun to contemplate our origins: starstuff pondering the stars; organised assemblages of ten billion billion billion atoms considering the evolution of atoms; tracing the long journey which, here at least, consciousness arose. Our loyalties are to the species and the planet. We speak for Earth. Our obligation to survive is owed not just to ourselves but also to that Cosmos, ancient and vast, from which we spring.'

Intelligent, written with grace and humour, the narrative is largely non-technical but not condescending and lends itself well to understanding.

How many people who watched the 'Cosmos' series on television (PBS in America - perhaps the best astronomy and general science series ever produced by them) could ever forget Carl Sagan's intonation at proclaiming the wonders of the universe in grand terms, billions and billions of stars and galaxies and planets (and consequently, everything else).

While this book was published in 1980 to be a companion to the television series, there is nonetheless a certain timelessness about it. Many science texts (even general readers such as this) become dated fairly quickly. Yet this book remains a volume to which I refer time and again for its history, philosophy and insight into scientific method and personality.

This book more than anything provided the inspiration for me to study astronomy. While I did not take a degree in it (when I arrived at university I was informed that I had already studied more than their undergraduate curriculum provided; that I should take some physics and mathematics courses and then take a Master's degree later if interested--which may happen after the my current degree progress is completed), my interest in astronomy has remained strong and permeates many of my other interests, including my current work in theology and philosophy.

The visual presentation of this book is stunning. Pictures, particularly those from telescopes, space probes, and dramatic artistic renderings of phenomena not yet captured on film give a real feel for the subject.

Sagan begins the book with a grand tour of the universe, starting at the outermost edges with quasars and unknowns, and travelling back through galaxies and stars, passing interesting objects such as nebulae, black holes, stellar nurseries, planetary systems, finally to arrive back on earth, the unique planet (from our perspective) because it has life.

From here, Sagan goes back in history to the great library of Alexandria, which remains an object of fascination (current archaeological excavations continue in Alexandria, and there are various plans for memorialising the library). He introduces early efforts at scientific method and investigation by discussing Eratosthenes, a librarian who investigated reports in the various texts for himself, rather than taking things at face value.

Chapters include explorations of planetary astronomy, with special attention to Mars; stellar astronomy and the life cycle of stars; issues of space and time; issues of observation and epistemology (how do we know what we know, and why do we think we know it?); the origin and fate of the universe; the idea of life on other planets (Sagan confesses to a prejudice--the idea that life must be based on carbon, and not other elements); and the idea of SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) which due to Sagan's work and influence continues today in various ways around the globe. Finally, Sagan discusses the politics of science (and politics in general) giving a cautious hope for the fate of the earth--this was the height of the Cold War, after all.

'We are the local embodiment of a Cosmos grown to self-awareness. We have begun to contemplate our origins: starstuff pondering the stars; organised assemblages of ten billion billion billion atoms considering the evolution of atoms; tracing the long journey which, here at least, consciousness arose. Our loyalties are to the species and the planet. We speak for Earth. Our obligation to survive is owed not just to ourselves but also to that Cosmos, ancient and vast, from which we spring.'

Intelligent, written with grace and humour, the narrative is largely non-technical but not condescending and lends itself well to understanding.