What We Are Reading Today: ‘Dynamics and Astrophysics of Galaxies’

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Updated 24 June 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Dynamics and Astrophysics of Galaxies’

Author: Jo Bovy

This book provides an in-depth introduction to the dynamics, formation, and evolution of galaxies.

Starting with the basics of galactic structure and galactic dynamics, it helps students develop a sophisticated understanding of the orbital structure of spirals, ellipticals, and other types of galaxies.

The book demonstrates how observations led to the discovery that galaxies are dominated by dark matter and explores in detail how structure evolves from the primordial universe to form the halos that host galaxies.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Gold from Newton’s Apple Tree’ by Nabil Ali

Updated 08 February 2026
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Gold from Newton’s Apple Tree’ by Nabil Ali

Flowering currant, ivy, Portuguese laurel, and woad might all have grown in a medieval garden, but it would have taken special expertise to extract and create rich blue and purple pigments from them. 

Humans have been extracting dyes and inks from natural materials for millennia, and the practice was firmly established during the medieval era, recorded in manuscripts that survive today.

“Gold from Newton’s Apple Tree” brings together recipes for making natural colors according to season, method, and ingredients.