Astronomy is by nature an interdisciplinary activity: it involves mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Astronomers use (and often develop) the latest technology, the fastest computers and the most refined software. In this book twenty-two leading scientists from nine countries talk about how astronomy interacts with these other sciences. They describe modern instruments used in astronomy and the relations between astronomy and technology, industry, politics and philosophy. They also discuss what it means to be an astronomer, the history of astronomy, and the place of astronomy in society today.

Preface.-Part 1: ASTRONOMY AND PHYSICS.-The Universe as laboratory for high energy physics.-Standard candles in astronomy.-High energy cosmic ray& neutrino astronomy.-Interdisciplinary aspects of high energy  astrophysics.-Gravitational wave astronomy.-PART 2: ASTRONOMY IN SOCIETY.-A history of observatory sciences and techniques.-Astronomy and technical progress.-Up the decade! Predictions, prescriptions and international collaborations by the American astronomical (and other) communities.-Building a strong, unified European astronomy.-The future of space astronomy.-PART 3: THE TOOLS OF OBSERVATION AND THE PROFESSION OF ASTRONOMER.-Small telescopes and planets.-Large and very large telescopes.-The challenge of optics in future extremely large telescopes.-Virtual observations.-Doing astronomy at a museum.-Being an astronomer: a testimony.-PART 4: ASTRONOMY AT THE FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE.-Astronomy versus astrology.-Fundamental issues and problems of cosmology.-The Earth and other Solar-system bodies.-Exobiology: an example of  interdisciplinarity at work.-Index.