Scientific American Library

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Powers of Ten was the first publication in the Scientific American Library Series (1982). This volume was written by Philip Morrison, Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his wife Phylis. The book is based on the short film by the same name, made by Charles and Ray Eames (1977). Most undergraduate physics students, including myself, have seen this inspiring film at some point in our university studies!

The Solar System was the sixth publication in the Scientific American Library Series (1983). This volume was written by Roman Smoluchowski, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at the University of Texas (Austin). He was an important member of the planning team for NASA's solar system satellites.

Constructing the Universe was the ninth publication in the Scientific American Library Series (1984). This volume was written by David Layzer, the Donald H. Menzel Professor of Astrophysics at Harvard University. As a theoretical astrophysicist, his areas of expertise included the origin of astronomical systems.

Sun and Earth was the fifteenth publication in the Scientific American Library Series (1986). This volume was written by Herbert Friedman, Chief Scientist Emeritus of the E.O. Hulburt Center for Space Research of the National Research Laboratory. He received the prestigious National Medal of Science for his contributions to rocket, satellite, and X-ray astronomy.

Einstein's Legacy was the sixteenth publication in the Scientific American Library Series (1986). This volume was written by Julian Schwinger, Physics Professor at the University of California. He received the Einstein Prize (1951), National Medal of Science (1964), and Nobel Prize in Physics (1965). His theoretical research was in the fields of classical and quantum physics.

From Quarks to the Cosmos was the twenty-eighth publication in the Scientific American Library Series (1989). This volume was written by Leon M. Lederman (Frank L. Sulzberger Professor of Physics)  and David N. Schramm (Louis Block Professor of Physical Sciences), both at the University of Chicago. Leon shared a Nobel Prize for the discovery of the muon neutrino (1988), and David was elected to the National Academy of Science (1986). Both were recipients of other prestigious awards as well.

A Short History of the Universe was the fifty-third publication in the Scientific American Library Series (1994). This volume was written by Joseph Silk, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at the University of California (Berkeley). As a theorist, he has won awards for his contributions to the field of cosmology.

Gravity's Fatal Attraction was the fifty-eighth publication in the Scientific American Library Series (1996). This volume was written by Mitchell Begelman and Martin Rees. Michell is an award-winning Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Colorado (Boulder), known for his contributions to cosmic jets, active galaxies, and black holes. Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, is a Royal Society Professor at Cambridge University who has made contributions to quasars and cosmology.

Cosmic Clouds was the sixty-fourth publication in the Scientific American Library Series (1997). This volume was written by James B. Kaler, a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) . He was an expert on planetary nebulae and also authored Stars (No. 39) in this series.