Earth and Cosmos

Earth and Cosmos presents a comprehensive view of the many connections between the environment of Man on Earth and the environment of the Earth in the cosmos. Topics covered range from matter, radiation, and the basic forces of nature to Earth's relation to the universe, the galaxy, and the sun. The energy balance and global circulation of the atmosphere are also discussed, along with continents, oceans, and climate.
This book is comprised of 13 chapters and begins with an overview of the environment of Man on Earth, with emphasis on the Earth's chemical composition and how it is related to both cosmic and terrestrial processes; the radiation environment at the Earth's surface and above; how the atmosphere interacts with both solar and terrestrial radiation; and climate. The following chapters explore matter, radiation, and the laws of nature in relation to the universe; how the terrestrial environment is related to the structure of the universe as a whole; how the composition of the solar system and the Earth reflects the history of the galaxy; and the stability of the Earth's environment. The origins of life on Earth and the impact of human activities on the planet are also considered. The last chapter speaks of the future of humanity, and notably of the problem of the population explosion and its consequences.
This monograph will be of interest to students, astronomers, planetary scientists, astrophysicists, biologists, chemists, and geologists.

1;Front Cover;1 2;Earth and Cosmos: A Book Relating the Environment of Man on Earth to the Environment of Earth in the Cosmos;4 3;Copyright Page;5 4;Table of Contents;6 5;Preface;7 6;Introductory Note by the author;12 7;Chapter 1. Overview;14 8;Chapter 2. Matter, Radiation, and the Basic Forces of Nature;20 9;Chapter 3. The Earth and the Universe;35 10;Chapter 4. The Earth in the Galaxy;41 11;Chapter 5. The Stability of the Terrestrial Environment;58 12;Chapter 6. Sun and Earth;87 13;Chapter 7. The Energy Balance of the Atmosphere;114 14;Chapter 8. The Astronomical Rhythms: Day and Night, the Seasons, and Tides;127 15;Chapter 9. The Global Circulation of the Atmosphere;149 16;Chapter 10. Continents, Oceans, and Climate;167 17;Chapter 11. Life and the Earth;181 18;Chapter 12. The Impact of Man;191 19;Chapter 13. The Future of Humanity;210 20;Appendices;234 20.1;APPENDIX I: MATHEMATICAL NOTATION, PHYSICAL TERMINOLOGY, AND UNITS;234 20.2;APPENDIX II: SCALES OF THE ENVIRONMENT;242 20.3;APPENDIX III: PROPERTIES OF THE PLANETS COMPARED;243 21;Bibliography;246 22;Index of Names;258 23;Index of Subjects;260