Popular astronomy and space Books

Book SynopsisA revised and expanded edition of the classic introduction to the myths and legends associated with the stars and constellations.Trade Review'In this highly readable Star Tales ... Mr Ridpath has splendidly combined astronomy with the lore of classical mythology. ' Adrian Berry, Daily Telegraph 'There is another way to look at [stars and galaxies] - as the creation of human imagination. ... To help steer us round these wonders, Ridpath has produced Star Tales. ... a pleasant amalgam of sheer fancy and historical and scientific fact. The book will help us appreciate how we reached out present awareness.' Robin McKie, Observer Sunday 'Many readers will welcome this book of tales of the constellations . ... [Ian Ridpath's] list of sources is quite impressive, but the greatest value of the book must lie in the illustrations . ... This is a book to enjoy. It is easily read and does successfully what it sets out to. Ridpath has already earned a reputation as a presenter of the celestial constellations and the real curiosities they contain. ... Now we must see him as an authority on their entertainment value too.' Rosemary Naylor, Federation of Astronomical Societies 'I thoroughly enjoyed reading this beautifully-illustrated book, and it will be a lovely reference book as well. It is meticulously researched and very well written, and I can recommend it to anyone interested in the constellations from a historical or mythological perspective' Robert Connon Smith, The Observatory, vol. 139, no.1269, pp.74-5Table of ContentsPreface Chapter One: Stars and storytellers Chapter Two: Star maps Chapter Three: The celestial eighty-eight Chapter Four: Obsolete constellations Sources and acknowledgements References Glossary of mythological characters Index

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Book SynopsisRichly illustrated with a luminous and informative collection of maps, photographs, and graphics, this atlas is the perfect companion for exploring the wonders of the universe as viewed from Earth.This expansive illustrated atlas invites readers to roam the night sky for constellations, planets and moons, eclipses, comets and meteor showers, auroras, and deep-sky treasures including nebulae and galaxies—many visible to the naked eye and all with binoculars or a backyard telescope.Beginning with basic space science and including a complete set of night sky maps for all four seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, this fascinating book guides the reader toward the most rewarding observations. A unique chapter on astro-tourism highlights ancient observatories, dark-sky preserves, and other global destinations for the sky-seeking traveller; a final chapter details current and future space missions and what they might discover.Richly illus

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Book SynopsisThe essential map for all Moon watchers.The awesome beauty of the Moon is brought to life in this practical map for Moon watchers which locates, describes and indexes more than 500 physical features on the visible side of the moon. Who hasn't marvelled at the lunar landscape whether glancing up from Earth or being gripped by NASA imagery? Ever since the 1960s, when Neil Armstrong walked those first steps on the lunar surface, we have had a particular fascination with the Moon, but that grip goes back to the dawn of humanity. Our nearest neighbour in space, the Moon is hugely important due to its impact on tides and many other natural cycles that surround us, so to be able to look and read its landscape is especially revealing and valuable.With practical information on the best Moon watching techniques and tips, we capture both the magical and the practical aspects of lunar locations.· Superbly detailed map of the Moon's visible surface· 500 Moon features located on the map, with a clear index· Craters, seas, mountains, peaks and valleys· Landing sites of manned and unmanned spacecraft located· Helpful text aids the best effective moon watching· Plus map of the far side of the Moon as revealed by satellites· Maps drawn by lunar expert Dr. John Murray

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Book SynopsisA deck of cards to show you how and when to spot 40 constellations across the sky, explaining the key features to look out for as well as the myths and legends behind each one.

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Book SynopsisThe renowned theoretical physicist and national bestselling author of The God Equation takes readers on an exciting excursion into the discoveries that have led scientists to the brightest new prospect in theoretical physics today: superstring theory. What is superstring theory and why is it important? This revolutionary breakthrough may well be the fulfillment of  Albert Einstein's lifelong dream of a Theory of Everything, uniting the laws of physics into a single description explaining all the known forces in the universe. Co-authored by one of the leading pioneers in superstrings, Michio Kaku, the book approaches scientific questions with the excitement of a detective story, offering a fascinating look at the new science that may make the impossible possible.

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Book SynopsisWhen Nicolaus Copernicus claimed that the Earth was not stationary at the centre of the universe but circled the Sun, he brought about a total revolution in the sciences and consternation in the Church.Copernicus' theory demanded a new physics to explain motion and force, a new theory of space, and a completely new conception of the nature of our universe. He also showed for the first time that a common-sense view of things isn't necessarily correct, and that mathematics can and does reveal the true nature of the material world. As John Henry reveals, from his idea of a swiftly moving Earth Copernicus sowed the seed from which science has grown to be a dominant aspect of modern culture, fundamental in shaping our understanding of the workings of the cosmos.Trade Review'Contains a wealth of detail . an ideal introduction to Copernicus' * Morning Star *

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Book SynopsisWith lucid prose that recalls the best-selling and beloved Cosmos, Ann Druyan takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the vast and unexplored realms of Earth and space, past and future, fact and imagination. Written and published in coordination with the sensational international television debut of a second season of National Geographic's Cosmos,Cosmos Possible Worlds travels through more than 14 billion years of cosmic evolution and into an astonishing future where probes travel by light beams to distant stars, helping us solve enduring mysteries of our origins and dream of an unimaginable time ahead. Along the way, we meet the colorful characters who push beyond the boundaries of knowledge - both the little-known but monumental visionaries of the past and the scientists whose work is shaping our future. Color photographs, art, and diagrams based on graphics created for the television series - plus a foreword by Neil deGrasse Tyson, best-selling author, wTrade Review“In the breadth of its scope and the magnitude of its imagination…Possible Worlds is a triumphant return to scale, and a direct challenge to a humanity that seems to have lost its will to confront and overcome the problems that face it. It encompasses astronomy, neuroscience, quantum physics, the origins of life, the future of space flight, nuclear weaponry, alternate intelligence models, cosmology, archaeology, anthropology, and biochemistry in the breathtaking course of its 370 richly illustrated pages, all driven by Druyan’s approachable but grand prose that urges us to find in ourselves the intellectual courage to truly know who we are, where we came from, and what possible futures stretch out before us.” –Women You Should Know“Now, 40 years later, Ann Druyan boldly carries the torch forward with the long-awaited sequel to the book, COSMOS with Cosmos: Possible Worlds.” –Laughing Place“In the breadth of its scope and the magnitude of its imagination, it is teaching us again how to look beyond our tribal specializations towards a future powered by a bold syncretism. Possible Worlds is a triumphant return to scale, and a direct challenge to a humanity that seems to have lost its will to confront and overcome the problems that face it. It encompasses astronomy, neuroscience, quantum physics, the origins of life, the future of space flight, nuclear weaponry, alternate intelligence models, cosmology, archaeology, anthropology, and biochemistry in the breathtaking course of its 370 richly illustrated pages, all driven by Druyan’s approachable but grand prose that urges us to find in ourselves the intellectual courage to truly know who we are, where we came from, and what possible futures stretch out before us.” –Women You Should Know “Ann Druyan is reimagining the future.” –Scientific American

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Book SynopsisThis book describes the future of the Artemis Lunar Program from the years 2017 to about 2030. Despite the uncertainty of the times and the present state of space exploration, it is likely that what is presented in this book will actually happen, to one degree or another. As history has taught us, predictions are often difficult, but one can see enough into the future to be somewhat accurate. As the Bible says, “Wesee thru the glass, but darkly.”All of the elements of the proposed program are described from several perspectives: NASA’s, the commercial space industry and our International partners. Also included are descriptions of the many vehicles, habitats, landers, payloads and experiments. The book tells the story of the buildup of a very small space station in a strange new lunar orbit and the descent of payloads and humans, including the first women and next man, to the lunar surface with the intent to evolve a sustained presence over time. Trade Review“I was glad to read this book, and I learned some new things from it. I am happy to recommend it to anyone interested in a brief summary of the technical aspects of the Artemis programme as conceived in its early years.” (Ian Crawford, The Observatory, Vol. 141 (1282), June, 2021)“The book is an excellent basis to understand the further struggle for human space exploration of Moon and Mars, and allows the reader to form his own well-founded opinion and to grasp the technical problems still to be solved. … A ‘treat’ for insiders, a reference manual for those interested in human spaceflight and an easily digestible book for laypeople. Predicate: Highly valuable!” (Joachim J. Kehr, Journal of Space Operations & Communicator, February, 2021)Table of ContentsFrontispiece Dedication Acknowledgments Preface 1 Introduction 2 The Artemis Lunar Program Overview 2.1 NASA’s Concept 2.2 Summary of the Elements 2.3 The Controversy 2.4 The Budget 2.5 Politics 3 Spacecraft, Landers, Rovers and Payloads 3.1 Commercial Spacecraft 3.2 Commercial Lunar Payload Services 3.3 Commercial Payloads and Instruments 3.4 Lunar Science Participation 3.5 Landing Sites 4 Elements, Crew Landers, Launch Vehicles and Upper Stages 4.1 Propulsion and Power Element 4.2 Habitat and Logistics Modules 4.3 Crew Landers and Transfer Element Studies 4.4 Launch Vehicles 4.5 Upper Stages 5 NASA and Commercial Crew Development 5.1 Crew Selection and Training 5.2 Commercial Crew ISS Missions 5.3 Artemis Missions 5.4 The Next Generation Space Suit 5.5 Commercial Crew Space Suits 5.6 Crew Health 6 Artemis Lessons for Exploration 6.1 Utility of the Gateway 6.2 Sustainability 6.3 Impact on Future Hardware Design 6.4 Long Duration Science Operations 6.5 Launch Vehicle Payload Capability 7 Enabling Technology Advances 7.1 NASA Programs 7.2 Navigation and Precision Landing 7.3 Deep Space Atomic Clock 7.4 In-Situ Resource Utilization 7.5 Lunar Power 7.6 Protection from Radiation 7.7 Advances in Optical Communications 7.8 Lunar IceCube 8 Artemis Influence on Mars Planning 8.1 Mission Concepts and Plans 8.2 Technologies and Capabilities 8.3 Artemis Science Influence on Mars 8.4 Robotics 8.5 Regolith Mining and Processing 8.6 3D Printing 9 Conclusions Appendices 1 The National Space Council’s Role in Artemis and Mars 2 Community Letter to Congress Regarding NASA’s Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program 3 NASA’s Gateway Memorandum for the Record 4 Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit 5 Solar Electric Propulsion and Hall Effect Thrusters 6 Technology 7 Timeline 8 Artemis Mythology 9 The Moon Village Association 10 The Chinese Lunar Program 11 Crew Selection: A History and Prediction 12 Quotes References Glossary About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisSince the earliest humans walked the earth, the vast mysteries and wonders of the night sky have fascinated and beguiled us, as we’ve struggled to understand our place in the cosmos.Even after the last century, which saw important and startling discoveries about our own planet, our solar system and the stars and galaxies beyond, there remain more questions than answers. But those questions – What is dark matter? Are we alone in the universe? Is time travel possible? – provide a fascinating insight into the vastness and infinite possibilities of space that we’re yet to determine. The sheer scale of the universe can be intimidating, but in this easily digestible book we embark on an incredible journey through all the essential astronomical discoveries, from the beliefs of ancient civilizations, through to the recent groundbreaking observations of the gravitational waves predicted by Einstein over 100 years ago. There’s never been a better time to get to grips with the universe and this essential guide to the cosmos is the perfect place to start!Trade ReviewIf you're new to the subject... or are trying to spark the astronomy bug in someone else, then this volume is an excellent place to begin your adventure * BBC Sky at Night Magazine *This book is a goldmine for anyone seeking to understand the present state of astronomical science, cosmology and how we arrived here from the earliest wonderings of our ancestors about the things they saw in the sky * Astronomy Now *

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisMonth by month, star by star, object by object, Stephen James O''Meara takes readers on a celestial journey to many of the most prominent stars and constellations visible from mid-northern latitudes. Filled with interesting anecdotes about the stars and constellations and their intriguing histories, this book is both a useful guide for amateur astronomers, and a great first-time reference for those just starting out. After describing a constellation''s mythology, readers are guided in locating and identifying its brightest stars in the sky, as well as any other bright targets of interest - colourful stars, double or multiple stars, star clusters and asterisms, nebulae, galaxies, variable stars, and more. This book will help beginning stargazers become familiar with the stars and constellations visible from their backyards, and explore the brightest and best stars, nebulae, and clusters visible through inexpensive, handheld binoculars.Trade Review'O'Meara's writing inspires and his passion and enthusiasm for observing leaps off the pages.' Sky at Night Magazine'… O'Meara's book really did keep me interested from the outset. … the reader is left feeling as though they have truly learned about what they have seen. … Within each chapter there is interesting information that covers stars, nebulae, galaxies, star clusters etc. … allows those who have binoculars rather than a telescope to get a great deal of enjoyment out of looking up at the sky.' Astronomy Now'… a fine book that should encourage any possessor of simple optical aids to go out and seek for themselves what the night sky has to offer.' The Observatory'… I would highly recommend the book as a thorough grounding in visual observing and in the basic concepts of astronomy. It is well worth the money and my copy will get well used.' Gnomon'Bit by bit, we are fed with little gems of information that [enhance] our appreciation and understanding of what we are observing. It's for this very reason that I found this book enthralling, and quite enchanting. Stephen is an accomplished observer, but more importantly, he has the ability to put across his obvious excitement … [which] draws the reader into this fascinating subject …' Federation of Astronomical Societies Newsletter'… there's nobody who does a better job [than Stephen O'Meara] describing what he sees in the sky and helping us experience some of the enjoyment that he has … He's an observer and wants you to be one too.' Bill Pellerin, GuideStar'… simple but effective layout … clear illustrations appear throughout … don't miss that little spark of interest when newly seeing a bright star in the evening sky. Grab binoculars and Stephen O'Meara's book … to begin an adventure exploring an unlimited realm.' www.universetoday.comTable of ContentsTo the reader; The Spring Stars; 1. April; 2. May; 3. June; The Summer Stars; 4. July; 5. August; 6. September; The Autumn Stars; 7. October; 8. November; 9. December; The Winter Stars; 10. January; 11. February; 12. March; Appendix A. The Constellations; Appendix B. Nova hunting with binoculars; Index.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA witty, accessible and entertaining journey through teh philosophies of time and space.Trade ReviewIf it's true that very few of the many thousands who bought Stephen Hawkins' A Brief History of Time actually read it, then Osborne's may be the book to catch up with. Certainly, this reviewer ended the book a good deal wiser * Financial Times *the perfect introduction for those who would like to understand the vast space that is our universe * The Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisFinding our Place in the Solar System gives a detailed account of how the Earth was displaced from its traditional position at the center of the universe to be recognized as one of several planets orbiting the Sun under the influence of a universal gravitational force. The transition from the ancient geocentric worldview to a modern understanding of planetary motion, often called the Copernican Revolution, is one of the great intellectual achievements of humankind. This book provides a deep yet accessible explanation of the scientific disputes over our place in the solar system and the work of the great scientists who helped settle them. Readers will come away knowing not just that the Earth orbits the Sun, but why we believe that it does so. The Copernican Revolution also provides an excellent case study of what science is and how it works.Trade Review'The story of understanding our Solar System is essentially a story of how science works. Finding Our Place in the Solar System connects the dots between observations of the movements of the Sun, the Moon and the stars on the celestial sphere to the scientific revolution brought about by Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo and ultimately Newton. Every chapter describes the key steps that led towards our current understanding of our Solar System, but also reflects on what these steps can tell us about how science in general works. The book, aimed at non-science-majors and the general public alike, motivates a very timely discussion on the dynamic and ever-changing nature of science.' Marios Karouzos, Nature Astronomy'… at the end of each section [is] a short chapter titled Reflections on science, a sort of philosophy of science light … they are actually very well done and add, in my opinion, a lot to the value of the book as a teaching text … Timberlake writes well and lucidly. His text is easy to read and his explanations are clear and straightforward. He covers the material well and I on the whole would thoroughly endorse his book as an excellent textbook and introduction to the history of European astronomy … Timberlake's book is an excellent entry level introduction to the history of European mathematical astronomy as well as serving as an introduction to the process of science for non scientists and anybody looking to teach themselves or looking for a textbook for an advanced school class or a college level course should definitely consider using this volume …' Thony C, The Renaissance Mathematicus'… the authors' ability to present complex scientific concepts in the history of astronomy and physics clearly and concisely is invaluable for undergraduate teaching. The figures, diagrams, and appendixes in the book enhance the clarity of their presentation, which was already impressive. This text will be very useful for those teaching the history of ancient, medieval, or early modern science. Even for those whose pedagogy differs markedly from that of Timberlake and Wallace, Finding Our Place in the Solar System could serve as a useful complement to the main themes of a course.' Nicholas A. Jacobson, IsisTable of ContentsPreface; 1. Introduction: mysterious skies; 2. Two spheres: modeling the heavens and the Earth; 3. Wanderers: the Moon and the planets; 4. An Earth-centered cosmos: astronomy and cosmology from Eudoxus to Regiomontanus; 5. Moving the Earth: the revolutions of Copernicus; 6. Instruments of reform: Tycho's restoration of observational astronomy; 7. Physical causes: Kepler's new astronomy; 8. Seeing beyond Aristotle: Galileo's controversies; 9. The system of the world: Newton's universal physics; 10. Confirming Copernicus: evidence for Earth's motions; Appendix A. Mathematical details; Notes; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book is for everyone with an interest in whether there is extraterrestrial life. Recent discoveries of planets beyond the solar system (more than 4000 of them) suggest that the question is not 'whether?' but 'where?'. This book enables general readers to understand current endeavours to answer this question and the related one of 'what kind?'Trade Review'Wallace Arthur addresses the most exciting question in science: 'Are we alone?' His brilliant exposition argues convincingly that we are likely to go through a Copernican revolution regarding the biological universe and discover that we are not at its centre.' Avi Loeb, Chair of the Harvard Astronomy department'An engaging, well-informed, and accessible guide to one of the great questions. Thoroughly enjoyable and unputdownable.' Peter Atkins, Emeritus Professor of Physical Chemistry, University of Oxford, and fellow of Lincoln College'The Biological Universe performs a fascinating dissection of our tree of life, asking which of its features we might share with other such trees on worlds throughout the Galaxy. A truly unique perspective on finding life in the Universe, which starts with who is eating whom in the soil under our feet.' Elizabeth Tasker, author of The Planet Factory'In this thought-provoking book, Arthur's deep knowledge of life and its myriad manifestations, coupled with a cosmologist's understanding of the cosmos at large, enables him to explore one of science's greatest mysteries - how the biological and physical universes relate to one another. Does life exist beyond this planet? What form would it take? How could we detect it? Arthur musters fact, logic, and intuition, in his far-reaching attempt to nail down life's place within the wider cosmic dimension.' Addy Pross, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel'Wallace Arthur takes us on a fascinating journey to discover if and how our living planet is unique in the universe. In his characteristically engaging style, he propels his story with sharp questions, arresting details, and vivid explanations, so that we arrive, via photosynthesis-stealing slugs and the extremes of extraterrestrial atmospheres, at a new understanding of ourselves and our world.' Ronald Jenner, Natural History Museum, London, UK'Wallace Arthur's book The Biological Universe is highly significant. We will soon know if we are alone in the universe. The next few years could provide us with this long-sought answer. This book, extremely well written, tells us how.' Simon 'Pete' Worden, Executive Director, Breakthrough Initiatives, Luxembourg and USA'Working his way up from first principles of physics, chemistry, and biology, Wallace Arthur asks what is needed for life to exist. In his familiar readable style, he then asks whether these requirements are likely to be found elsewhere in the universe, and answers with a resounding 'Yes'. Anyone who works on the evolution of life on Earth will have asked themselves similar questions. Arthur's presentation of the questions, and of the answers, is both enjoyable and eye-opening.' Ariel Chipman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel'Arthur has done an admirable job pulling together all these different fields and his explanations of tricky topics are clear.' Lewis Dartnell'Wallace Arthur's The Biological Universe is a romp through astrobiology intended for general readers. Curiously, we meet almost no one along the way … The Biological Universe covers an impressive amount of territory.' Max Dresow, The Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsPart I. Painting Big Pictures: 1. A tree with millions of twigs; 2. A galaxy with billions of planets; 3. The likelihood of other trees; Part II. Life Here, Implications for Elsewhere: 4. A thin sliver of existence; 5. Energy and life; 6. Habitats and life; 7. Skeletons and life; 8. Intelligence and life; Part III. Planetary Systems and Life: 9. Types of planetary system; 10. Habitable zones; 11. Other habitability factors; 12. How many inhabited planets?; Part IV. Discovering Life: 13. On the repeatability of evolution; 14. Candidate planets; 15. Atmospheric signatures; 16. Radio and life; 17. Sixty years of SETI; Part V. Beyond the Milky Way: 18. The physical universe; 19. The biological universe; 20. The intelligent universe; Bibliography; Acknowledgements.

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Book SynopsisIt has been the aim of the authors to give in this book a brief, simple, and accurate account of the heavens as they are known to astronomers of the present day. It is believed that there is nothing in the book beyond the comprehension of readers of ordinary intelligence, and that it contains all the information on the subject of astronomy that is needful to a person of ordinary culture. The authors have carefully avoided dry and abstruse mathematical calculations, yet they have sought to make clear the methods by which astronomers have gained their knowledge of the heavens. The various kinds of telescopes and spectroscopes have been described, and their use in the study of the heavens has been fully explained.Table of ContentsFor more information, please visit our website at:https://novapublishers.com/shop/the-heavens-above-a-popular-handbook-of-astronomy/

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Book SynopsisThis book will be the first English on space law written by a Chinese scholar. With the rapid development of space activities in China, many space scientist and lawyers are keen to know Chinese Legal views on policies and laws on space activities. The book discusses new development of space law in view of the rapid development of space commercial activities from a Chinese legal perspective. The topics selected in the book reflect the author''s teaching and research in space law at four different universities: Leiden University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, City University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong. Six areas of space law issues have been selected: property rights, space registration and liability regime, launching services, telecommunications services, national space legislation and international space co-operation. All the topics are closely related to current Chinese space legislation and practice. When dealing with the above six issues, the author will first briefly discuss the current rules and practice at the international level, followed by in-depth analysis of Chinese situation. This will be a unique book. Those who are researching on space law and/or in charge of formulating national space policy will be especially interested in the elaboration of Chinese attitude toward space commercialisation and of the current Chinese space policies and laws.

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Book SynopsisSpace exploration is an immense and expanding field. The quest for knowledge about space has resulted in hundreds of very important technologies which have been incorporated into society''s fabric including the biomedical field. This book examines a multitude of issues related to space exploration including philosophy, biology, dark energy, space tourism, space station measurements, supernova, and Saturn''s rings.

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Book SynopsisOne of the most powerful images in the history of space exploration is of an astronaut in a spacesuit, untethered, and seemingly floating alone in an expanse of blue. Bruce McCandless II was the man in that spacesuit, and Wonders All Around is the thoroughly engrossing, extensively researched story of his inspiring life and groundbreaking accomplishments, told by his son, Bruce McCandless III, a gifted writer and storyteller. McCandless II became a Navy pilot and joined NASA in 1966. He was the capsule communicator in Houston-the person talking to the astronauts-as Armstrong made his leap for mankind. McCandless worked on and invented major systems and tools that would equip later astronauts, until he himself went memorably into space on the tenth shuttle mission. But the road to that incredible feat was not the sure bet it should have been for such a gifted man. Wonders All Around goes beyond a catalog of achievements, of which McCandless had many. It is also the story of science, perseverance, and devotion. Bruce McCandless II was with NASA 24 years, and this story encompasses the development of the space agency itself-the changes in focus, in personnel, in approach, and in the city of Houston that grew up with it. Recounted with thought and insight, this book is also about the relationship between father and son, men of two very different generations. Finally, it is an exploration of the mind-set of one unique man-and the determination, courage, and imagination-that took him and his country into their place in space history.

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Book SynopsisAgainst a backdrop rich with purples, blues, and shades of black, a blaze of stars glittering across a vast empty sky spurs our curiosity about the past, driving us inevitably to ponder the future. For millennia, the night sky has been a collective canvas for our stories, maps, traditions, beliefs, and discoveries. Over the course of time, continents have formed and eroded, sea levels have risen and fallen, the chemistry of our atmosphere has changed, and yet the daily cycle of light to dark has remained pretty much the same . . . until the last 100 years." - Karen Trevino, from the forewordNo matter where we live, what language we speak, or what culture shapes our worldview, there is always the night. The darkness is a reminder of the ebb and flow, of an opportunity to recharge, of the movement of time. But how many of us have taken the time to truly know a starry night? To really know it.Combining the lyrical writing of Paul Bogard with the stunning night-sky photography of Beau Rogers, To Know a Starry Night explores the powerful experience of being outside under a natural starry sky--how important it is to human life, and how so many people don't know this experience. As the night sky increasingly becomes flooded with artificial-light pollution, this poignant work helps us reconnect with the natural darkness of night, an experience that now, in our time, is fading from our lives.Table of Contents Dedication Acknowledgements Foreword: Karen Trevino Foreword: Scott Slovic 1. Introduction 2. Darkness 3. Fear 4. Knowledge 5. Solace 6. Solitude 7. Moonlight 8. Wildness 9. Mystery About the Author and Photographer

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Book Synopsis''Astronomy, as nothing else can do, teaches men humility.'' -Arthur C. Clarke, The Challenge of the SpaceshipAstronomy traces one of humanity''s oldest obsessions. This accessible, fascinating account of discoveries from the times of Palaeolithic star-gazers to current space missions shows how we have come to know so much about the universe. At the same time, unfolding knowledge has opened new horizons to explore. Our understanding of the boundless cosmos has only just begun.Topics include: • Cosmology, from ancient times to the Big Bang • Our place in the solar system • Astrolabes, telescopes, and radio astronomy • Mapping the stars • Space missions and probes • Comets, asteroids, supernovae, and black holes • The unknown, from empty space to dark energyBeautifully illustrated throughout

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Book SynopsisA NASA-funded team of scientists has announced that there is evidence of previous life on Mars. This book analyses the results from the meteorite ALH84001, critically interprets the information from the Vikings 1 and 2 space probes to Mars and looks at the evidence of organic material in the Cosmos. The overwhelmingly most likely explanation and by far the simplest interpretation of all the findings is that life is a cosmic phenomenon seeding the Earth and Mars.

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Book SynopsisNASA''s ambitious but essential Gemini Program was culminated in November 1966 with the launch of Gemini 12 from Kennedy Space enter''s Launch Complex 19. This tenth manned Gemini mission was the final opportunity to develop and practice many new techniques that were integral to the upcoming Apollo program. With the successful conclusion of the Gemini 12 mission, veteran astronaut Command Pilot James Lovell had set another new record with a total of 18 days in space, and Pilot Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin held the EVA duration record with an umbilical EVA at the Agena work station of 2 hours and 9 minutes. In all, three EVA (extra-vehicular activity) sessions were performed during the mission. Going into the Gemini 12 mission, many questions of EVA procedure were still unresolved. In the past, astronauts had expended too much energy simply staying in position. In an effort to better develop techniques and train astronauts, for the first time, underwater simulation was incorporated into EVA training. Using a submerged mock-up of the Gemini-Agena spacecraft, EVA training proceeded almost to the eve of launch. Training in the neutral-buoyancy underwater simulation allowed the astronauts to practice the entire EVA procedure in a single session -- just as they would be required to do in space. This was a major advance over simulated weightlessness in aircraft parabolic flights, which provided only 30 seconds of weightlessness at a stretch. Gemini 12 successfully executed a fuelless station-keeping exercise for 4 hours and 20 minutes with the use of a dacron tether between the Gemini and Agena vehicles. Once the tether had been pulled taut, the reaction control systems for both vehicles were turned off, and the slight difference in the Earth''s gravitational effect on the two space vehicles was sufficient to keep the tether taut, so the two spacecraft remained at a constant separation, without the use of any reaction control fuel. Despite mission changes brought on by a radar lock-on failure and by a malfunction of the Agena Primary Propulsion System (PPS), the Gemini 12 mission was considered to be a major success, continuing the success story of the entire Gemini program. Apollo could take man to the Moon only after Gemini had introduced him to the space environment and taught him how to perform there. CD included.

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Book SynopsisFor as long as mankind has possessed a sense of wonder, astronomy has been practised in one form or another. It can be thought of as having graduated to the status of a true science at the point in history when it became forever separated from astrology. Clearly they were not of the same mould; astronomy was hard to do; astrology was merely hard to swallow. The next significant change came in the early 20th century. Men and women of science felt it was no longer sufficient to simply catalogue the visual characteristics of the stars and other heavenly bodies; the desire to understand their physical makeup, behaviour and creation gave us the study of astrophysics. As the name suggests, this is the physics of astronomical bodies and the space they inhabit. During the second half of the 20th century interest turned also to the other eight planets of our solar system, spawning several new disciplines relating to Planetology, the formation of the solar system, and the possibility of past or present extraterrestrial life. Every decade of the last century brought ever more numerous and fascinating discoveries. It was not until 1930 that Pluto, the ninth planet, was discovered. Only as late as 1978 was it discovered that Pluto possessed a moon. And now, in late 2005, NASA''s Hubble Space Telescope has given astronomers evidence that Pluto may have not one, but three moons. In recent decades much interest has also been given to the far reaches of the universe -- far stars; other galaxies, some old, some still forming; and even the earliest detectable galaxies of the universe, at the very limits of our ability to probe. Each field of space study requires its own special tools and its own expertise. The many programs that come loosely under the headings of astronomy and space exploration are as varied and rewarding as the fascinating discoveries that they have made. To the uninformed, the exploration of deep space may seem esoteric and unexciting, but in truth the wonder and the beauty of deep space outshine almost anything that Earth and man can offer. The time when people can go and explore deep space in person is still well into the future. Until then, we shall continue to do as we have done for the past 40 years, sending unmanned spacecraft and satellites as our proxies and ambassadors to the universe. This book examines deep space exploration missions, past, present and future, and their results.

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Book SynopsisRocket Science. Two words which are synonymous with complexity. Two words which for many people signify the zenith of human genius. A phrase which has entered the English lexicon to describe the toughest discipline in human endeavour. Author Alfred Zaehringer has a unique perspective on both the phrase and the discipline. In this book, his first about space in nearly forty years, Alfred Zaehringer uses his lifetime of experience to take the mystery out of the phrase he coined. Beginning with a short history of the birth of rocketry he moves into an explanation of the physics that makes it possible to use rockets to fly in space. Leaving no stone unturned he moves on to the politics and economics of space-flight before providing a detailed cross-section of man''s different uses of the reaction rocket to fly into the heavens. Finally he looks at the proposals for future methods of space transportation and looks at the many promising new technologies which may offer cheaper access to space.

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Book SynopsisCD-ROM and Book. Lost in the glare of Apollo''s success, the Gemini program is often forgotten. Without the ten successful manned Gemini missions NASA could not have accomplished Kennedy''s seemingly impossible goal of landing a man on the moon in the 1960s. Gemini 6 the fifth manned flight of America''s two-man spacecraft. Aboard were Commander Wally Schirra and rookie pilot Tom Stafford. Their original mission flight plan was to attempt the first ever docking and rendezvous in space, an essential step if the pilots flying Apollo would ever be able to meet up in orbit around the moon. The Soviet Union had claimed the first space rendezvous but many felt that unless the pilot was in control and able to manoeuvre around the accompanying vehicle it could not truly be called a rendezvous. On October 25th 1965 the target vehicle, known as Atlas/Agenda failed to make orbit and so the crew of Gemini 6 were suddenly presented with a totally revised and audacious flight plan. The long duration Gemini 7 mission was already scheduled for launch and so the crew of Gemini 6 were told that NASA would attempt a double manned mission and rendezvous. This was undoubtedly a risky proposition which would stretch the NASA infra-structure to its limits. On December 15th 1965 ace pilot Schirra and rendezvous maestro Stafford closed to within a meter of Gemini 7 and America was one step closer to the moon. Includes: Windows CD-ROM featuring: an exclusive recent interview with Commander Wally Schirra; all of the still photo images taken during the mission; two 28 minutes -- ''Gemini Science'' and ''Gemini 7 and 6'' plus the complete 16 mm film from the mission.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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