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Flights From Chaos: A Survey of Material Systems From Atoms to Galaxies
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781025661537
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 184
Weight: 0.59
Height: 0.39 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Flights From Chaos: A Survey of Material Systems From Atoms to Galaxies offers an ambitious and systematic exploration of the physical universe, tracing the organization of matter from the infinitesimal to the infinite. Written by the distinguished astronomer Harlow Shapley, this work proposes a hierarchical classification of all known material systems, bridging the gap between subatomic physics and large-scale cosmic structures.
The text examines the transition from primordial chaos to ordered systems, investigating the properties of atoms, molecules, crystals, and biological organisms before expanding into the realm of planets, stars, and galaxies. Shapley provides a unified framework for understanding how these diverse entities relate to one another within the broader context of the cosmos. By synthesizing insights from multiple scientific disciplines, the work attempts to map the entire range of material existence.
As an important document in the history of science, Flights From Chaos reflects the growing sophistication of early 20th-century cosmology and the quest for a comprehensive understanding of the natural world. It serves as an essential resource for those interested in the evolution of scientific thought and the fundamental structures that define our universe.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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