Joshua S. Bloom's Books

Toward an Understanding of the Progenitors of Gamma-Ray Bursts

By: Joshua S. Bloom

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Toward an Understanding of the Progenitors of Gamma-Ray Bursts

By: Joshua S. Bloom

The various possibilities for the origin ("progenitors") of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) manifest in differing observable properties. Through deep spectroscopic and high-resolution imaging observations of some GRB hosts, I demonstrate that well-localized long-duration GRBs are connected with otherwise normal star-forming galaxies at moderate redshifts of order unity. Using high-mass binary stellar population synthesis models, I quantify the expected spatial extent around galaxies of coalescing neutron stars, one of the leading contenders for GRB progenitors. I then test this scenario by examining the offset distribution of GRBs about their apparent hosts making extensive use of ground-based optical data from Keck and Palomar and space-based imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope. The offset distribution appears to be inconsistent with the coalescing neutron star binary hypothesis (and, similarly, black-hole--neutron star coalescences); instead, the distribution is statistically consistent with a population of progenitors that closely traces the ultra-violet light of galaxies. This is naturally explained by bursts which originate from the collapse of massive stars ``collapsars''). This claim is further supported by the unambiguous detections of intermediate-time (approximately three weeks after the bursts) emission ``bumps'' which appear substantially more red than the afterglows themselves. I claim that these bumps could originate from supernovae that occur at approximately the same time as the associated GRB; if true, GRB 980326 and GRB 011121 provide strong observational evidence connecting cosmological GRBs to high-redshift supernovae and implicate massive stars as the progenitors of at least some long-duration GRBs.

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Page Count

198

Publisher

Universal-Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1581121695

ISBN 13

9781581121698

What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts?

By: Joshua S. Bloom

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What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts?

By: Joshua S. Bloom

A brief, cutting-edge introduction to the brightest cosmic phenomena known to science Gamma-ray bursts are the brightest—and, until recently, among the least understood—cosmic events in the universe. Discovered by chance during the cold war, these evanescent high-energy explosions confounded astronomers for decades. But a rapid series of startling breakthroughs beginning in 1997 revealed that the majority of gamma-ray bursts are caused by the explosions of young and massive stars in the vast star-forming cauldrons of distant galaxies. New findings also point to very different origins for some events, serving to complicate but enrich our understanding of the exotic and violent universe. What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? is a succinct introduction to this fast-growing subject, written by an astrophysicist who is at the forefront of today's research into these incredible cosmic phenomena. Joshua Bloom gives readers a concise and accessible overview of gamma-ray bursts and the theoretical framework that physicists have developed to make sense of complex observations across the electromagnetic spectrum. He traces the history of remarkable discoveries that led to our current understanding of gamma-ray bursts, and reveals the decisive role these phenomena could play in the grand pursuits of twenty-first century astrophysics, from studying gravity waves and unveiling the growth of stars and galaxies after the big bang to surmising the ultimate fate of the universe itself. What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? is an essential primer to this exciting frontier of scientific inquiry, and a must-read for anyone seeking to keep pace with cutting-edge developments in physics today.

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Page Count

271

Publisher

Princeton University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1400837006

ISBN 13

9781400837007

The Fire Ant Wars

Nature, Science, and Public Policy in Twentieth-Century America

By: Joshua Blu Buhs

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The Fire Ant Wars

Nature, Science, and Public Policy in Twentieth-Century America

By: Joshua Blu Buhs

Telling the story of the ill-fated campaigns to eradicate the fire ant from American soil, this is also the history of changing attitudes to nature, to science and a reconsideration of the place of humankind in the natural world.

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Page Count

227

Publisher

University of Chicago Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0226079821

ISBN 13

9780226079820

Mastering 'Metrics

The Path from Cause to Effect

By: Joshua D. Angrist,Jörn-Steffen Pischke

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Mastering 'Metrics

The Path from Cause to Effect

By: Joshua D. Angrist,Jörn-Steffen Pischke

From Joshua Angrist, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, and Jörn-Steffen Pischke, an accessible and fun guide to the essential tools of econometric research Applied econometrics, known to aficionados as 'metrics, is the original data science. 'Metrics encompasses the statistical methods economists use to untangle cause and effect in human affairs. Through accessible discussion and with a dose of kung fu–themed humor, Mastering 'Metrics presents the essential tools of econometric research and demonstrates why econometrics is exciting and useful. The five most valuable econometric methods, or what the authors call the Furious Five—random assignment, regression, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity designs, and differences in differences—are illustrated through well-crafted real-world examples (vetted for awesomeness by Kung Fu Panda's Jade Palace). Does health insurance make you healthier? Randomized experiments provide answers. Are expensive private colleges and selective public high schools better than more pedestrian institutions? Regression analysis and a regression discontinuity design reveal the surprising truth. When private banks teeter, and depositors take their money and run, should central banks step in to save them? Differences-in-differences analysis of a Depression-era banking crisis offers a response. Could arresting O. J. Simpson have saved his ex-wife's life? Instrumental variables methods instruct law enforcement authorities in how best to respond to domestic abuse. Wielding econometric tools with skill and confidence, Mastering 'Metrics uses data and statistics to illuminate the path from cause to effect. Shows why econometrics is important Explains econometric research through humorous and accessible discussion Outlines empirical methods central to modern econometric practice Works through interesting and relevant real-world examples

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Page Count

300

Publisher

Princeton University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0691152845

ISBN 13

9780691152844

Mostly Harmless Econometrics

An Empiricist's Companion

By: Joshua D. Angrist,Jörn-Steffen Pischke

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Mostly Harmless Econometrics

An Empiricist's Companion

By: Joshua D. Angrist,Jörn-Steffen Pischke

In addition to econometric essentials, this book covers important new extensions as well as how to get standard errors right. The authors explain why fancier econometric techniques are typically unnecessary and even dangerous.

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392

Publisher

Princeton University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0691120358

ISBN 13

9780691120355

Improvement by Design

The Promise of Better Schools

By: David K. Cohen,Donald J. Peurach,Joshua L. Glazer,Karen E. Gates,Simona Goldin

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Improvement by Design

The Promise of Better Schools

By: David K. Cohen,Donald J. Peurach,Joshua L. Glazer,Karen E. Gates,Simona Goldin

One of the great challenges now facing education reformers in the United States is how to devise a consistent and intelligent framework for instruction that will work across the nation’s notoriously fragmented and politically conflicted school systems. Various programs have tried to do that, but only a few have succeeded. Improvement by Design looks at three different programs, seeking to understand why two of them—America’s Choice and Success for All—worked, and why the third—Accelerated Schools Project—did not. The authors identify four critical puzzles that the successful programs were able to solve: design, implementation, improvement, and sustainability. Pinpointing the specific solutions that clearly improved instruction, they identify the key elements that all successful reform programs share. Offering urgently needed guidance for state and local school systems as they attempt to respond to future reform proposals, Improvement by Design gets America one step closer to truly successful education systems.

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Page Count

236

Publisher

University of Chicago Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

022608941X

ISBN 13

9780226089416

What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts?

By: Joshua S. Bloom

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What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts?

By: Joshua S. Bloom

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Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

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Page Count

271

Publisher

Princeton University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1400837006

ISBN 13

9781400837007

Book's by Joshua S. Bloom

Toward an Understanding of the Progenitors of Gamma-Ray Bursts

Toward an Understanding of the Progenitors of Gamma-Ray Bursts

What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts?

What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts?

The Fire Ant Wars

The Fire Ant Wars

Mastering 'Metrics

Mastering 'Metrics

Mostly Harmless Econometrics

Mostly Harmless Econometrics

Improvement by Design

Improvement by Design

What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts?

What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts?

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