August 1999 Contents

ARTICLES

Consistent Histories and Quantum Measurements

The traditional Copenhagen orthodoxy saddles quantum theory with embarrassments like Schrodinger's cat and the claim that properties don't exist until you measure them. The consistent-histories approach seeks a sensible remedy — Robert B. Griffiths and Roland Omnès

Quantum Calorimetry

Novel detectors that operate at 60 millikelvin are now being used to study cosmic gas at millions of kelvin — Caroline Kilbourne Stahle, Dan McCammon, and Kent D. Irwin

Chaotic Dynamics and the Origin of Statistical Laws

Chaotic dynamics in real systems does not provide finite relaxation time to equilibrium or fast decay of fluctuations, and chaotic systems are not completely random in the sense originally postulated for statistical systems. These properties may require rethinking some of the fundamental assumptions of thermodynamics — George M. Zaslavsky

DEPARTMENTS

Search and Discovery

• Berkeley lab leapfrogs to elements 116 and 118

• First events seen at Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

• Space telescope Key Project completes task of measuring the Hubble constant within 10%

• Model suggests deep-mantle topography goes with the flow

• An interplanetary weather forecast for Mars

In Profile

• In Hewitt's teaching, equations take a back seat

Washington Reports

• Confronted by Clinton and Congress over security, Richardson drops objections to DOE agency

• Washington ins & outs: An academy election and appointments at NASA, State, NSF

• Washington briefings: NSF's net effect; NASA dashes a comet landing; Dynamic economy amid R&D danger signs

Physics Community

• German synchrotron light source may find new home somewhere in Middle East

• Thailand recycles Japanese synchrotron light source

• Germany narrows reactor fuel choices

• Bean counting begins in UK universities

• Cablecar tragedy at Alps observatory claims 20 lives

• Salaries rise, unemployment falls among PhD physicists

• Web Watch

Books

The Natural Philosophy of James Clerk Maxwell, P. M. Harman (reviewed by C. W. F. Everitt)

Theoretical Global Seismology, F. A. Dahlen and J. Tromp (reviewed by T. Lay)

Chaos, Scattering and Statistical Mechanics, P. Gaspard (reviewed by J. Bricmont)

What Remains To Be Discovered: Mapping the Secrets of the Universe, the Origins of Life, and the Future of the Human Race, J. Maddox(reviewed by J. Primack)

Galactic Astronomy, J. Binney and M. Merrifield (reviewed by I. R. King)

The Deep Hot Biosphere, T. Gold (reviewed by L. Margulis)

Plus ...

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