Product Description
Mindsteps to the Cosmos shows how modern global civilization depends on giant leaps of understanding that have been made in the past. Science and technology have been inspired and formulated by the sky — the cosmos in which we live. Human development could not have taken place on a cloud-shrouded planet. Mathematics was invented to track the movements of the sun, moon and stars even though back then these were thought to be gods. The space program has taken us beyond the earth, and satellite systems are exploring to the ends of the visible universe. This book provides the reader with algorithms to construct personal computer programs for finding the position of the moon and planets, and for calculating dates through historic periods in the Egyptian as well as the old and new style calendars. ... Read more

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For introductory courses in Earth Science, in departments of Geology, Geography, and Atmosphere Science.Designed in conjunction with the tenth edition of Tarbuck/Lutgens, Earth Science, and building on the successful line of GEODe physical geology CDs, the new GEODe: Earth Science CD-ROM has units that cover all major areas of Earth Science. In addition to a revised geology unit, the new CD-ROM includes broad coverage of the oceans, basic meteorology, and the solar system. This greatly expanded coverage includes many new animations, video clips, and interactive activities. ... Read more

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The book and disk that work together! The Interfact series offers a unique range of integrated illustrated books and multimedia CD-ROMS. Kids will learn and enjoy from this fact-filled book containing amazing facts, dazzling photographs, and a full glossary and index. In addition, the disk has seven interactive features with up to 15 hours of inter-linked activities, games and on-screen adventures related to solar systems.

The packaging for this book/CD set is compact and ring-bound for easy use. The book cover is protected by a plastic sleeve to which the disk is attached in a sealed plastic wallet. Users will find clear cross-referencing between the book and the disk, which encourages both reading development and computer skills. ... Read more

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Zoom through a scale model of the solar system at the wheel of your own cosmic taxicab, dropping off wacky passengers--mountain climbers, aliens, little old ladies--as you go. In the process, find out where a golf ball will fly the farthest, bounce the highest, or freeze the fastest. These and a thousand more facts about our solar system come to life in this entertaining game of discovery. Aspiring astronomers and physicists will also love the spectacular QuickTime movies of recent space missions and NASA fly-bys. System Requirements: Windows: 486SX-25 or higher processor; 640 x 480, 256 color display; 4MB RA M (8 recommended); MPC2 compatible CD-ROM drive and sound card with speakers or headphones; Windows 3.1; MS-DOS 5.0 or later. Macintosh: Any color-capable Macintosh with a 13" monitor; System 6.0.7; 2.2MB available RAM (4MB installed), CD-ROM drive (double-speed recommended). ... Read more

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RedShift™ College Edition offers a stunning combination of text, graphics, movies, narration, music, illustrations, multiple-choice and matching exercises, applets, animations, and more.The two CD-ROM set is the premiere multimedia planetarium experience.RedShift™ College Edition is an expanded version of the award-winning, internationally renowned RedShift 3™.With a host of features such as NIGHTLY NEWS, and the astronomical event predictor SKY DIARY, RedShift™ College Edition is the most comprehensive planetarium software available.Available stand-alone (0030319595), bundled with the textbook (ask your representative for ordering information), or bundled with the accompanying workbook (053449031X). ... Read more

Product Description
This stunning interactive reference gives a clear and comprehensive tour of the cosmos, from the challenges of space to the people who conquered them!

Additional features:
* Star Dome shows the night sky from any year and location selected
* Who's Who biographies of astronomers, scientists, and astronauts
* Index
* 3D models of space hardware
* Quiz
* Online links to astronomy sites

DK Multimedia Minimum System Requirements:
486DX/33MHz or faster personal computer with at least 8 MB RAM, 8- or 16-bit sound card, double-speed CD-ROM drive, SVGA (256 color), 640 x 480 pixel display, Windows 3.1
Any Apple Macintosh(r) with 25 MHz 68LC040 processor or above with 8 MB RAM, double-speed CD-ROM drive, 8-bit (256 color) 640 x 480 display, System 7
Any Apple Macintosh(r) with 25 MHz 68LC040 processor or above with 8 MB RAM, double-speed CD-ROM drive, 8-bit (256 color) 640 x 480 display, System 7 ... Read more

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Designing a mission for a flight to the Moon requires balancing the demands of a wide array of spacecraft systems, with the details of tending each component generating complex and often contradictory requirements. More than any other system in the Apollo spacecraft, the Apollo Guidance Computer drove the capabilities of the lunar missions. In the 1960's, most computers filled an entire room yet the spacecraft's computer was required to be compact and require little power.  When compared to modern systems, the AGC's design limitations and lack of speed presented formidable challenges. Yet, hardware and software engineers overcame these difficulties, and their creation was able to guide a new and complex spacecraft and its precious human cargo away from the safety of Earth and towards a new world. Although people today find it difficult to accept that it was possible to control a spacecraft using such a 'primitive' computer, it nevertheless had capabilities that are advanced even by today's standards.

The Apollo Guidance Computer: Architecture and Operation is the first comprehensive description of the Apollo computer, beginning with its internal organization to its user interface and flight software. Particular emphasis is placed on the instruction set, Executive capabilities, the Interpreter and the detailed procedures for mission application software. Launch, landing on the Moon and entry back on Earth are explained in rich detail and show how the computer was an integral part of the spacecraft operation. As a comprehensive account, it spans the disciplines of computer science, aerospace engineering and spacecraft operations. The Apollo Guidance Computer: Architecture and Operation is an essential reference for space historians and engineers, and serves well as a complementary text for computer science courses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Vital Historical Computer Architecture Study--"Wow"
The embedded computer that traveled with the Apollo astronauts was not only an important component of the navigation and control system for the historic lunar landings; it was an infinitely important landmark in the development of the microcomputer and embedded real-time systems which today inhabit our cars, homes and entertainment equipment.It was also the first important step in developing inexpensive real-time systems for control and ubiquitous computing.While other works such as Mindel's "Digital Apollo" and Eldon C. Hall's "Journey To The Moon" have described this system as a component of the overall Apollo system and in a first-person account of the development process, only this important textbook gives the modern student of computer architecture and embedded real-time systems the technical detail to understand how this first microcomputer system worked in practice.Exquisite detail and explanation is given of the Hardware and Logical Design Architecture of this systems, as well as the principles and practice of the historic Forth-like language interpreter and Real-Time Executive Software.

This exceedingly valuable work will give present day Computer Science students the background to understand how the dramatic breakthroughs in Logical Design, Computer Architecture, Computer Language Interpreters and Real-Time Executive Software was invented, and how it worked in practice. Detailed Scenarios are also given of how this software and hardware architecture functioned in the astronauts computation of Navigation and Guidance.Enough detail and careful instruction is given in the functioning of this computer for classroom instruction in computer science or for the advanced hobbyist to use the software simulators of the Apollo Guidance Computer in duplicating the steps the Lunar Astronauts performed in guiding the Command Module and Lunar Lander.This excellent reference will form a model for teaching and learning historical Computer Architectures and Software so that future Computer Scientists can understand and learn the original ideas that today guide their field.


--Ira Laefsky
MSE/MBA Computer Human Interaction Researcher and Consultant formerly Senior Consultant on the Staff of Arthur D. Little, Inc. and Digital Equipment Corporation ... Read more