Sten Odenwald

Quantum Physics by Sten Odenwald is a nice introduction and overview of what quantum physics is and how science progressed to where we are now.

This is less of an explanation of quantum physics, though a few of the basic concepts and ideas are discussed, than it is a foundation upon which someone with an interest can comfortably start to dive a bit deeper. Unlike the other book in the Fundamentals series I've read, this one tends to take various strands of thought in each chapter and bring them historically into the present (the other book presented one long chronology, which worked well for that topic). I think this worked well because there is not simply one monolithic idea that is quantum physics but a basic idea that then spreads out into many narrower areas.

While I have only had a couple of college level quantum physics courses and a relativity course, I didn't feel like this book overly simplified things, yet it did have to, out of necessity, omit some things that simply require a more nuanced explanation. But the reader unfamiliar with the field won't notice any omissions and will come away with a much better idea of what scientists are talking about when they talk about quantum physics. I can also imagine this would serve as a nice primer for those undecided about a career/academic path since it does talk about what is still to be done as well as what has been done.

This probably won't be of great interest to those in the research part of the field I think this would offer ideas for educators on how to teach these, and by extension other, subjects. This is ideal for the lay reader who wants to have some kind of basic idea of what quantum physics is and how it relates to both the science they learned in school and current scientific advances.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (more)

How does a small, insignificant-looking rock pave the way for all the space discoveries and breakthroughs that follow its humble existence? How do early writings and calendars relate to building telescopes? Trace the development of the astronomer’s tools from the Abri Blanchard Bone Plaque, an ancient lunar phase calendar, to the Event Horizon Telescope that afforded us our first glimpse of a black hole.

While exploring each of the stories attached of these events, readers will discover there were some forty-one thousand years between the Blombos Ochre Drawing and the Abri Blanchard Bone Plaque. Yet there are less than two years between the development of the Tesla Roadster and the Event Horizon Telescope. Clearly, mankind can accomplish much, given the time, resources, and determination.

Certainly, we’ve explored only a minute portion of the vast universe of which we are an infinitesimal part. Yet human curiosity has driven us to reach out, to explore, to discover, to learn. From the artifacts of civilizations past to today’s exciting accomplishment of flying a helicopter in the Martian atmosphere and evolving plans to return to the moon, it’s clear that we’re continuing along the path, reaching even higher and learning even more.

One hundred illustrated, double-page spreads highlight each of the objects selected for inclusion here. The oldest, The Blombos Ochre Drawing dates from 71,000 B.C.E. while the newest is the Event Horizon Telescope from 2019 [the year of publication for this book]. Each of the object entries, including The Venus Tablet of Ammisaduqa, The Star Charts of Senenmut, the Antikythera Mechanism, The Chaco Canyon Sun Dagger, Galileo’s Telescope, the Slide Rule, the Clock Drive, and so much more, include a photograph, a brief history, and an explanation of its relationship to humanity’s reach for space. A listing of resources and photo credits for each object is also included.

Readers will find much to commend in these captivating stories and tantalizing glimpses of objects that play a part in our reach for space. Readers interested in history will find much to appreciate here, as will those interested in space exploration. Don’t miss this one.

Highly recommended.… (more)

Due to the fact that this book is written in a question and answer format, its easy to read a little at a time as your schedule allows. It covers a broad range of topics related to astronomy with very understandable answers. The author isn't afraid to admit that scientist often don't know the answers. This type of honesty is refreshing in that you feel you are being levelled with as opposed to being given an answer that is intentionally over the layman's head to avoid admitting ignorance. On the other hand, sometimes the author presents theories as if they are established facts. I think that a lot of scientist do this (perhaps unintentionally) because they are putting forth the explanation that is dogma in the scientific community and forget to remind the reader that other possibilities may exist. Overall, this is a great book and is certainly worth your time… (more)