Chronicles the intellectual and technical discoveries that constitute the developments of refracting, reflecting, and radio telescopes, and related instruments, the personalities involved, and the astronomical knowledge gained by each advance

More of Isaac Asimov's weekly science columns for the Los Angeles Times and those his wife, Janet, wrote during his illness and after his death in April 1992. The Asimovs discuss how close we are to producing life in a lab, the latest revelations about dinosaur extinction, recent startling sightings of planets and stars, if we can establish colonies on Mars, if computer intelligence can ever surpass human intelligence, and the gravest dangers to our environment. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Frontiers probes the furthest boundaries of prehistory, science, earth space and the universe. It is a collection of short, topical and intriguing essays through which Isaac Asimov, the incomparable writer of science fiction, proposes brand new answers to classic scientific conundrums.

Isaac Asimov writes about actual and fictional scientists--from Archimedes in his bath to the alien astronomers on the far planet of Largesh--whose minds and discoveries have shaped our past, present, and future

Does the Universe extend forever or is there an end somewhere? Does it expand and contract like an accordion with each cosmic spasm lasting millions of years? Was there a time when it exploded and will the flying fragments separated until our own fragment is virtually alone? Does it renew itself and is it eternal, unborn and undying? This is a complete scientific survey of all that is known about the Universe, presented with the clarity and precision so characteristic of the writing of Isaac Asimov. Beginning with chapters on the earth and our solar system, he guides the reader through exploration and discovery of the unimaginably distant reaches of outer space. Barely fifty years ago, their horizons of our known universe were pushed back. The Milky Way was recognized as only a drop in a huge black ocean; other galaxies were discovered; the Universe was found to be expanding - its rim many billions of light-years away. And as man daily probes further into the unknown, it is becoming clear that discoveries dwarfing all those of the past may actually be at hand.

LIFE AND ENERGY is a brilliant introduction to the chemistry of life. In this highly lucid guide to the dynamics of modern biology, Isaac Asimov deftly explores the most recent discoveries in this constantly surprising field of inquiry. In the first part, he explains the mechanics of the inanimate world, the significance of energy, work, motion, heat, and chemical reaction. He then uses these concepts in the second half to analyze and explain the latest advances in the study of enzymes, amino acids, proteins and the very processes which constitute life itself. In short, Dr. Asimov's keen examination of biology's current desire to isolate and control the very basis of life--the significance of which promises to revolutionize life itself--becomes a fascinating as well as informative excursion. Illustrated with drawings, charts and diagrams.