Worlds Beyond

An innovative study of how the Victorians used books, portraits, fairies, microscopes, and dollhouses to imagine miniature worlds beyond perception In 1856, Elizabeth Gaskell discovered a trove of handmade miniature books that were created by Charlotte and Branwell Brontë in their youth and that, as Gaskell later recalled, “contained an immense amount of manuscript, in an inconceivably small space.” Far from being singular wonders, these two-inch volumes were part of a wide array of miniature marvels that filled the drawers and pockets of middle- and upper-class Victorians. Victorian miniatures pushed the boundaries of scientific knowledge, mechanical production, and human perception. To touch a miniature was to imagine what lay beyond these boundaries. In Worlds Beyond, Laura Forsberg reads major works of fiction by George Eliot, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Lewis Carroll alongside minor genres like the doll narrative, fairy science tract, and thumb Bible. Forsberg guides readers through microscopic science, art history, children’s culture, and book production to show how Victorian miniatures offered scripts for expansive fantasies of worlds beyond perception.

1959 Physical continuity of the universe. Contents: the Changing Scene; Extrasensory Perception; Connected Universe; Modern Columbus Seeks Queen Isabella; Disclosing Southern Land Corridor into the Heavens Above; Stratosphere Revelations; Journey.

An innovative study of how the Victorians used books, portraits, fairies, microscopes, and dollhouses to imagine miniature worlds beyond perception In 1856, Elizabeth Gaskell discovered a trove of handmade miniature books that were created by Charlotte and Branwell Brontë in their youth and that, as Gaskell later recalled, "contained an immense amount of manuscript, in an inconceivably small space." Far from being singular wonders, these two-inch volumes were part of a wide array of miniature marvels that filled the drawers and pockets of middle- and upper-class Victorians. Victorian miniatures pushed the boundaries of scientific knowledge, mechanical production, and human perception. To touch a miniature was to imagine what lay beyond these boundaries. In Worlds Beyond, Laura Forsberg reads major works of fiction by George Eliot, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Lewis Carroll alongside minor genres like the doll narrative, fairy science tract, and thumb Bible. Forsberg guides readers through microscopic science, art history, children's culture, and book production to show how Victorian miniatures offered scripts for expansive fantasies of worlds beyond perception.

Part 1: Introduction to Exoplanets This section sets the stage for the captivating world of exoplanets. It begins by shattering the traditional view of a singular solar system and reveals the vast multitude of exoplanets estimated to exist in our Milky Way. You'll explore different types of stars and their potential for hosting planets, understanding how diverse the stellar landscape is. Next, you'll journey through the thrilling "Hunt for Alien Worlds," learning about the various methods scientists use to detect these distant objects. From the transit method that tracks starlight dips to the radial velocity technique that measures star wobbles, this section unveils the ingenuity and challenges of exoplanet discovery. You'll also meet powerful space telescopes like Kepler, TESS, and James Webb, playing crucial roles in this cosmic detective work. Wrapping up Part 1 is a "Gallery of Exoplanet Diversity," showcasing the incredible variety of planets found beyond our solar system. From rocky super-Earths and gas giants like Jupiter to scorching hot Jupiters and potential ocean worlds, you'll discover the awe-inspiring range of planetary characteristics out there. The chapter even introduces intriguing rogue planets, solitary wanderers unbound to any star. Part 2: Unveiling the Secrets of Exoplanets Now that you've met these fascinating worlds, Part 2 takes you on a journey to uncover their secrets. "Peering into Atmospheres" explores how scientists analyze the light filtering through planets' atmospheres, searching for chemical signatures like water vapor, methane, and oxygen - potential fingerprints of life. This section emphasizes the challenges of atmospheric characterization and the cutting-edge techniques used to overcome them. Moving on, "The Habitability Puzzle" delves into the concept of the habitable zone, the orbital range where liquid water, a key ingredient for life as we know it, could exist on a planet's surface. You'll explore factors affecting habitability, like stellar radiation, atmosphere composition, and internal heat, gaining a deeper understanding of what might make a planet life-friendly. This section also introduces the exciting search for Earth-like planets and the hunt for biosignatures, potential biological markers. Finally, "Life Beyond Earth" delves into the realm of astrobiology, the study of life beyond our planet. This chapter explores different possibilities for life forms on exoplanets, ranging from extremophiles thriving in harsh environments to potentially complex organisms. You'll also learn about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) and ongoing SETI programs, raising the tantalizing question: Are we alone in the universe? Part 3: The Future of Exoplanet Exploration With a sense of wonder about the future, Part 3 takes you on a voyage towards what's next. "Next-Generation Telescopes and Missions" introduces groundbreaking instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope and the European Extremely Large Telescope, showcasing the technological advancements driving exoplanet research. This section highlights the exciting possibility of directly imaging Earth-like planets, offering unprecedented glimpses into these distant worlds. However, exploration comes with responsibility. "The Ethical Considerations" explores the potential impact of finding extraterrestrial life on humanity and emphasizes the importance of planetary protection protocols to avoid contaminating exoplanets. This section underlines the necessity of international collaboration in exoplanet research, ensuring global stewardship in this endeavor.

This is a book on planets: Solar system planets and dwarf planets. And planets outside our solar system – exoplanets. How did they form? What types of planets are there and what do they have in common? How do they differ? What do we know about their atmospheres – if they have one? What are the conditions for life and on which planets may they be met? And what’s the origin of life on Earth and how did it form? You will understand how rare the solar system, the Earth and hence life is. This is also a book on stars. The first and second generation of stars in the Universe. But in particular also on the link between planets and stars – brown dwarfs. Their atmospheric properties and similarities with giant exoplanets. All these fascinating questions will be answered in a non-technical manner. But those of you who want to know a bit more may look up the relevant mathematical relationships in appendices.

Artist, columnist, and poet Gertrude McCarty Smith (1923–2007) of Collins, Mississippi, carried herself as a demure and proper southern lady, yet this was deceiving as she was a prolific, creative trailblazer who had collectors and dedicated readers from coast to coast, and even in Europe. She grew up during the Great Depression with only some vivid storytelling and pictures from the family Bible to inspire and kindle her artistic spirit. However, at the age of ten, her career launched when her grandmother coaxed her with a box of crayons to milk the family cow—her seventy-year love affair with the arts was born. Over the years, she would express her creativity in many forms, resulting in thousands of paintings, sculptures, songs, poems, and newspaper columns and along the way a variety of artful cakes, as she ran a celebrated twenty-five-year cake business. Her art appeared in all shapes, sizes, materials, and “eatability.” For most of her early career, Gertrude dabbled with a variety of styles—with subjects mostly centered around life in rural Mississippi and her spiritual life. But in 1980 at the age of fifty-seven, she attended her first Mississippi Art Colony at Camp Jacob in Utica, Mississippi. Over the next fifteen years, she would make her pilgrimage twice a year to be inspired by celebrated guest instructors from around the nation and connect with fellow artists. The Colony was a major catalyst, exposing her to new styles, giving her encouragement and freedom to experiment. Gertrude said of the Colony, “I never knew anything about abstract art, but it fascinated me to no end. Abstract art to me is like a beautiful melody without words. In mixed media, I am in another world and often am surprised at the piece that evolves from the torn watercolor papers. The effect is a kaleidoscope of colors that makes the retinas dance.” This book features more than 150 images; a dozen poems; insightful essays from New York art dealer Stephen Rosenberg, acclaimed southern cultural scholar and curator Pat Pinson, and artist, curator, and instructor Rick Wilemon; along with a foreword by Tommy King, president of William Carey University; and a chronicle of her life’s journey by her son-in-law, Thomas R. Brooks. As Rosenberg has said, “Gertrude Smith is a remarkable and authentic American woman who teaches us that talent and creativity combined with a humanistic spirit is both a state of mind and a state of grace—at any age.” Book proceeds will benefit the Gertrude McCarty Smith Foundation for the Arts to bring access and passion for literature, performance, and visual arts to children in underserved communities throughout Mississippi.

A collection of real-life stories from people who have improved their lives through better literacy. Foreword by Scott Quinnell Some people take the power of words for granted. But for the thousands of people who struggle with poor literacy, words can be scary things. The men and women featured in this book have overcome their fears to improve their reading later in life. Whether they are famous businessmen or sports stars, teenagers in care, middle-aged mums, young soldiers or refugees forced to flee bloodshed in their own home countries, they all share a common desire to learn. Their stories will inspire others to follow journeys of their own. Alison Stokes is a writer and journalist, who writes for national magazines in the UK and US and regional newspapers in Wales. For many years she was a features editor at Trinity Mirror’s South Wales Echo. She also works as a part-time university lecturer in journalism and publishing manager.

In the words of Michael Laitman, "It is beyond human comprehension to understand the essence of such spiritual qualities as total altruism and love. This is for the simple reason that human beings cannot comprehend how such feelings can exist at all, as everyone seemingly requires an incentive to perform any act; without some personal gain, people are not prepared to extend themselves. That is why a quality such as altruism can only be imparted to a person from Above, and only those who have experienced it can understand it." Attaining The Worlds Beyond is a first step toward discovering the ultimate fulfillment of spiritual ascent in our lifetime. This book reaches out to all those who are searching for answers, who are seeking a logical and reliable way to understand the world's phenomena. This magnificent introduction to the wisdom of Kabbalah provides a new kind of awareness that enlightens the mind, invigorates the heart, and moves the reader to the depths of their soul.