This book provides a concise, non-mathematical summary of key astronomical discoveries, organized chronologically from the founding of the International Astronomical Union in 1919 to the present day. It highlights significant findings related to solar and space physics, exoplanets, astrophysics and cosmology.

Focusing on the 20th century, this volume offers a comprehensive overview of major breakthroughs in heliophysics, planetary exploration, the study of the interstellar medium, and the recent discovery of exoplanets. Additionally, it gives an account of the exploration of pulsars, white dwarfs, and neutron stars, alongside developments in high-energy astrophysics, such as the study of supernovae, active galactic nuclei, extragalactic jets, quasars, black holes, and X- and -ray astronomy. Further, the book discusses discoveries in galactic hierarchy and the cosmic voids, the bubbles of the cosmic web as well as the discovery of gravitational waves and multi-messenger astronomy. It also explores the investigations into the early Universe, dark matter, and dark energy.

This work serves as a valuable resource for students, educators, researchers, and the general public, offering insights into how these groundbreaking discoveries have shaped our understanding of both the nearby and the distant Universe over the last century and into the present day.

A concise, non-mathematical synopsis of the discoveries in solar physics, planetary science, astrophysics and cosmology Account of history and impact of modern developments in heliophysics, astronomy and astrophysics in the past century Lavishly-illustrated, accessible read for broad readership from general public to researchers and lecturers

Autorentext

Kanaris Tsinganos is a Professor of theoretical astrophysics at the University of Athens. With a PhD from the University of Chicago under Eugene Parker. The author has lectured at the Universities of Chicago, Harvard, Paris, Louvain, St.Andrews, Turin, Porto, Crete, and Athens. He has held several distinguished positionsincluding a Directorship of the historic National Observatory of Athens, a Presidentship of the Hellenic Astronomical Society, and national representation to ESA/SPC. He has published over 300 research papers and books, including University textbooks on theoretical mechanics and plasma astrophysics, while he has also organized many international conferences and advanced study institutes.

His ongoing research topics are theoretical astrophysics and magnetohydrodynamics with applications to our Sun, star formation and the study of plasma jets from newborn stars, AGN, quasars and black holes and participates in space missions, such as Solar Orbiter and Proba 3.

Inhalt

Our amazingly variable and active Sun.- Our priveledged solar planetary system.- Spectacular star birth inside dark nebulae.- Exotic exoplanets.- Our Earth seems to occupy a privileged position in the Universe.- Marvellous discoveries in astrophysics during the last 100 years.- Our finely tuned wonderful Universe.