The limitless universe

THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH: N. Ranganathachari; Pub. by author, Plot No. 49, Door No. 19, Arundale Beach Road, Kalakshetra Colony, Besant Nagar, Chennai-600090. Rs. 200.

THE BOOK deals with space and heavenly bodies in part I and all about the earth in part II. It explains in detail the marvels of the universe. Galaxies (star kingdoms) particularly the Milky Way galaxies, the solar system, planets, quasars, comets, meteors, and the moon (a satellite of the earth) are dealt with at considerable length.

Billions of years ago, the solar system with its members like the planets and the earth came into existence simultaneously.

They exist for millions of years and become extinct after the energy they contain, to keep them functioning, fades away.

Space explorations by Russians and Americans since 1957, landing on the moon, scientists' efforts to study the solar cosmic rays, the sun's ultraviolet radiation, and the solar wind, (since 1960) are dealt with. There is mention of the spacecraft Ulysses and other voyages designed to get more details of the space. Coming to the earth, the solid portion of the globe occupying 29 per cent and the rest being water, the sun-earth relationship, weather, seasons, emergence of forests, hills and valleys, countless flora and fauna, oceans, flowing rivers, underground water, the different layers encircling the earth viz. biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and ozone layer which protects life on earth from the sun's ultraviolet rays are described.

There is good coverage on the space and the earth bringing out phenomena like why sea water is blue, why stars twinkle, how the atmosphere is polluted and measures to mitigate the evil influence.

The material is presented in a simple language which can be read by students, teachers and lay people of all age groups. The appendix and facts to remember, and the various sketches and diagrams are of considerable value and the book serves as a source of reference.

G.D.

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