Popular astronomy and space Books

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Book SynopsisTwo of Britain's popular astronomers answer all the questions people ask about space travel, telescopes, the solar system, comets and meteors, stars, black holes, the big bang, space and time.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing over 380 color photographs, this illustrated guidebook presents a visual history of the United States' space adventures, from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs to the current International Space Station and Space X commercial ventures. A wide-ranging variety of equipment is featured, from rockets and spacecraft to clothing and handheld items. Detailed captions explain the construction and use of these custom-made, exotic items, many actually used on specific short- and long-duration space voyages.Featured museums include the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio; Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama; Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington; Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, Washington, DC, and the nearby Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport; and, in Florida, Cape Canaveral and the adjacent Kennedy Space Center, the Air Force Space Museum, Space History Center and the Astronaut Hall of Fame, the American

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Book SynopsisEverything you need to know to photograph and postprocess images of the night sky with standard DSLR and mirrorless camera equipmentTrade Reviewnbsp;“Photographers Skernick (Back Roads of the Pacific Northwest) and Valente detail the ins and outs of photographing the night sky in this concise and informative manual. Without fancy gear (any mirrorless camera, a few lenses, and a ‘good, sturdy’ tripod will do), readers can capture bewitching shots of nighttime spectacles . . . While the technical tips serve as an excellent starting point for novices, the authors also make clear that passion and patience are key to astrophotography, and that it needn’t be a solo pursuit: they ‘recommend you find a friend to join you in your quest for night sky photographs.’ It’s an ideal resource for aspiring shutterbugs eager to take on a new challenge.” -- Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisA rip-roaring tour of the cosmos with the Bad Astronomer, bringing you up close and personal with the universe like never before

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Book SynopsisAstronomy, especially naked-eye astronomy, is a wonderful way for children and young people to engage with the world and universe around them. Many children quickly become fascinated with stars, planets and comets, learning skills that also help them develop generally.This book is a perfect introduction to astronomy for any child, whether or not they have a telescope. It explains the visible constellations and then explores the sun, moon, planets, comets and meteorites. Colour illustrations and diagrams at every stage help children relate what they are reading to what they can see in the sky.Suitable for budding astronomers in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and in polar, temperate or tropical latitudes (i.e., everywhere), this is an ideal introduction the wonders of stargazing.Trade Review'From the rotation of the Earth to a constellation map to an image illustrating the spring equinox, the images help this book truly stand out… Students will appreciate this book for both its simplicity and depth, and so will more than a few adults. Reach for the stars, and add this one to nonfiction collections.'-- School Library Journal'It is a clearly illustrated excellent introduction to the night sky... Beautifully coloured, clear diagrams are there for each topic and included are some stunning photographs of particular phenomena.'-- New View'Expressed in clear language, it is accessible to an older child or any beginner and is a valuable resource for teachers, parents or any enthusiast... The author and Floris Books are to be congratulated on such a first-rate introduction.'-- New View'This book is very readable as well as being interesting. It is a book to read and re-read many times and it would be an invaluable guide for anyone who wished to find out more about astronomy.'-- Home Education Advisory Service Bulletin, Spring 2014'The production, appearance, and layout of the book are superb. Stand-alone boxes on various topics complement the main narrative and most chapters have an additional summary box.'-- The Observatory magazine

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Book SynopsisWhat happens when a star dies? How many asteroids are in our solar system? Can galaxies collide? What is dark energy? Astronomy in Minutes answers all these questions and more as it condenses 200 key concepts into easily digestible essays. From Trojan asteroids to stellar black holes, and from superclusters to cosmic microwave background, this book will take you on an essential tour around the universe. Beginning with the specks and constellations that we see in the night sky, and then zooming in on the objects and 'matter' beyond the naked eye, Astronomy in Minutes draws on established theories and recent research. Each essay is accompanied by an image or a clear diagram to help unravel complex ideas. Beginning with the constellations and finishing with the latest cosmological theories, this is the perfect reference guide to this fascinating subject. Contents include: The celestial sphere, Piscis Austrinus, the Earth-Moon system, Io and Ganymede, Kuiper Belt Objects, Measuring stellar properties, Nuclear fusion, Red and orange dwarfs, Open star clusters, Planetary nebulae, Supernova remnants, Cosmic expansion, Quasars and blazars, Nature of spacetime, Nucleosynthesis and the Anthropic Principle.

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Book SynopsisThe Herschel 400 is a list of 400 galaxies, nebulae and star clusters, picked from over 2,500 deep-sky objects discovered and catalogued by the great eighteenth-century astronomer Sir William Herschel and his sister Caroline. It comprises 231 galaxies, 107 open clusters, 33 globular clusters, 20 planetary nebulae, 2 halves of a single planetary nebula and 7 bright nebulae. In this guide Steve O''Meara takes the observer through the list, season by season, month by month, night by night, object by object. He works through the objects in a carefully planned and methodical way, taking in some of the most dramatic non-Messier galaxies, nebulae and star clusters in the night sky. Ideal for astronomers who have tackled the Messier objects, this richly illustrated guide will help the amateur astronomer hone their observing skills.Trade Review'O'Meara takes a list of admittedly faint objects and injects new life into them. Right or wrong, many amateur astronomers won't consider you a top-level observer until you've completed the Herschel 400. Don't do it for them, however. Pick up this book, set up your telescope, and do it for yourself. It's a lot of fun.' Michael Bakich, Astronomy.com'This book is a great way of pushing beyond the popular Messier catalogue to broaden your viewing horizons.' Paul Money, Sky at Night'[This book] is a far better guide to the Herschel objects than the one available from the AL. It is well presented … to be recommended to observers looking for an organized project with medium-sized telescopes after completing the Messier list.' Owen Brazell, The Observatory'The Herschel 400 Observing Guide is a very good book, whose main strength is its instructions for locating objects. Even if you are not interested in seeing all of the Herschel 400 objects, I recommend it as a good mid-range guide to the deep sky.' Lee Macdonald, Journal of the British Astronomical Association'This book is very nicely produced … The layout is very well thought out … [O'Meara] works through the objects in a carefully planned and methodical way, ensuring that the minimum of telescope time is employed in locating objects and in moving from one object to the next.' Alex Crowther, Astronomy and Space'A good resource for anyone wishing to explore the deep sky.' Astronomy NowTable of ContentsPreface; Introduction; Part I. Winter: 1. January; 2. February; 3. March; Part II. Spring: 4. April; 5. May; 6. June; Part III. Summer: 7. July; 8. August; 9. September; Part IV. Fall: 10. October; 11. November; 12. December; Appendix A. Herschel 400 observing list; Appendix B. Herschel 400 checklist; Appendix C. Photo credits; Index.

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Book Synopsis“Any backyard astronomer or space enthusiast would be delighted to have this visual journey on their shelf.” —The Strategist, The Year’s Most Giftable Coffee-Table BooksA Barnes & Noble Best Gift Book of 2022 A Publishers Weekly Holiday Gift Guide 2022 selection6 orbiters, 140 missions, 355 astronauts, 500,000,000 miles—all in one rich and beautiful photographic journeyThe Space Shuttle tells the story of NASA’s amazing Space Shuttle program and its 140 space flights (135 missions, plus five Approach and Landing Tests) in a uniquely designed and covetable way. Long before the James Webb Telescope rekindled our fascination with astronomy and our place in the cosmos, the Space Shuttle began to capture the world’s attention with its first mission (a test launch) on April 12, 1981 and continued to do so until its final mission on July 8, 2011. The program’s six orbiter vehicles are Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. Each mission has its own fascinating story, and The Space Shuttle retells these stories, in chronological order, through incredible photos taken by NASA photojournalists, fine art photographers, and the astronauts themselves. Each image is accompanied by a short text that includes quick facts such as crew members, launch date, and landing date, as well as a short overview of highlights and purpose. For example, STS-78’s mission was to study circadian rhythms in space; STS-41G’s mission was to take photographs in-flight, seen in the IMAX movie The Dream Is Alive; and famously, the first untethered space walk, taken by astronaut Bruce McCandless on STS-41B using a self-propelled backpack unit (called a Man Maneuvering Unit [MMU]), allowed astronauts to capture satellites for retrieval and repair and for the planned construction of what became the International Space Station (ISS). Prior to this mission, astronauts were attached to the shuttle with safety lines. The photo of McCandless floating above Earth’s surface is one of the most celebrated and famous space photographs ever. These are just a few of the 140 stories Miller tells in this beautiful volume.Trade Review“‘Sumptuous’ is an adjective too often used to describe beautifully produced books, so, though that word does in fact describe The Space Shuttle, let’s instead call it ‘stellar. . . .’ [T]he reader leaves this book with a deep sense of awe about the program itself and what it accomplished in helping us to better understand what is above us.” —Air MailTable of ContentsContents Preface Introduction CHAPTER 1 Approach and Landing Tests ALT-12 (Free Flight 1) to ALT-16 (Free Flight 5) CHAPTER 2 First Launch—The Challenger Tragedy STS-1 (Mission 1) to STS-51L (Mission 25) CHAPTER 3 New Beginnings—Hubble Deployment STS-26 (Mission 26) to STS-61 (Mission 59) CHAPTER 4 Shuttle-Mir Missions—John Glenn’s Return to Space STS-60 (Mission 60) to STS-95 (Mission 92) CHAPTER 5 The International Space Station Construction Begins—The Columbia Tragedy STS-88 (Mission 93) to STS-107 (Mission 113) CHAPTER 6 A Second Return to Flight—The Final Mission STS-114 (Mission 114) to STS-135 (Mission 135) Afterword Glossary Acknowledgments Index

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Book Synopsis'Clear and compact ... It's hard to fault as a brief, easily digestible introduction to some of the biggest questions in the Universe' Giles Sparrow, BBC Four's The Sky at Night, Best astronomy and space books of 2019: 5/5All the matter and light we can see in the universe makes up a trivial 5 per cent of everything. The rest is hidden. This could be the biggest puzzle that science has ever faced.Since the 1970s, astronomers have been aware that galaxies have far too little matter in them to account for the way they spin around: they should fly apart, but something concealed holds them together. That 'something' is dark matter - invisible material in five times the quantity of the familiar stuff of stars and planets.By the 1990s we also knew that the expansion of the universe was accelerating. Something, named dark energy, is pushing it to expand faster and faster. Across the universe, this requires enough energy that the equivalent mass would be nearly fourteen times greater than all the visible material in existence.Brian Clegg explains this major conundrum in modern science and looks at how scientists are beginning to find solutions to it.Trade ReviewClear and compact ... It's hard to fault as a brief, easily digestible introduction to some of the biggest questions in the Universe -- Giles Sparrow, BBC Sky at Night * Best astronomy and space books of 2019: 5/5 *

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Book SynopsisThis book is about how the dreams of exploring other worlds became a reality with the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. The problems encountered in the development of the spacecraft, including the disastrous fire aboard Apollo 1 which resulted in the deaths of the three American astronauts, Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chafee are covered. When Neil Armstrong stepped out onto the surface of the Moon on 20 July 1969, many people thought that this was the first time man had visited its nearest neighbour. Although this was the first manned landing, there had been forty-one missions prior to this by both the Americans and the Russians. This book is about all those missions and the sixty-five missions that followed. Also included, although in much lesser detail, is the part the Russians played in the formative years of the space race' and the problems they encountered, culminating in the successful Apollo/Soyuz program which proved that the two super-powers could work together. The l

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Book SynopsisThe definitive book on the James Webb Space Telescope, including its most stunning images to date, written by space expert Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock.Despite the huge advances in space technology in recent decades, much of the universe still remains a source of mystery, often provoking more questions than answers. Keen to follow on from the findings of the Hubble telescope, NASA successfully launched the James Webb Space Telescope in December 2021 to study every phase of the history of our universe.The first stunningly clear images of the very depths of the universe using Webb’s groundbreaking infrared technology were released in July 2022, forever changing the way we see and understand the origins of our existence. From the never-before-seen bright stars surrounding the cosmic cliffs of the Carina Nebula to the intricate details of dying stars to the first detection of a crucial carbon molecule which forms the foundations of life as we know it, Webb continues to amaze and inform us in equal measure.Bringing her passion as well as her expert knowledge of space and Webb in particular, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock demystifies these stunning pictures and breaks down the essential science behind each image, explaining what we’re seeing and learning from the world’s most powerful space telescope.

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Book SynopsisEasily find stars and constellations in the night sky every day of the year.A starfinder that allows visible stars to be identified for any date and time for locations in the Northern Hemisphere. Compiled by astronomical experts, Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion and approved by the astronomers of the Royal Observatory Greenwich.An easy-to-use practical tool to help any astronomer identify the constellations and stars every day of the year. Just dial in the date and time by rotating the inner disk showing the time until it lines up with the relevant day of the year on the outer ring. The part of the sky appearing on the planisphere shows the arrangement of the stars above you.This star chart is suitable for use anywhere in Britain and Ireland, Northern Europe, Canada and Northern USA. Best viewed as near to latitude 50 degrees north as possible.The moveable disk also comes in a wallet which contains further information about stargazing.Trade Review"This twin set of Guide and Planisphere is ideal for novices to learn their way around the sky visible to observers around latitude 50 degrees North." The Observatory magazine

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Shindell describes his book as ‘the history of human ideas about Mars’, and he thoughtfully follows its winding path through religion, literature and pop culture. . . . [He] persuasively argues that Mars is most instructive when it sheds light on how we see ourselves.” * New York Times *“[Shindell’s] fascinating narrative details how today’s discussions have been conditioned by distant antecedents. The book is a compact yet expansive survey, delving judiciously into the histories of religion and science, mass culture and popular literature, the Cold War and the Space Race—highlighting past mistakes and commending new possibilities.” * Wall Street Journal *"Shindell crafts a human-centered history of an alien world. For the Love of Mars offers a readable history of speculation and exploration about Mars, beginning with the skywatchers of ancient Mayan, Chinese, and Babylonian civilizations and ending with the scientists and engineers who work on current robotic missions." * Science *“Armchair astronomers and history buffs alike will find this to be a fresh and engaging account.” * Booklist *"This insightful history will charm readers of popular science, science fiction, and history." * Library Journal *"Shindell describes efforts to understand a celestial body closer to home, tracing the red planet’s evolution in the popular imagination." * Publishers Weekly *“If you want to be surprised and inspired by humankind’s fascination with the Red Planet, For the Love of Mars is a great read.” * BBC Sky at Night Magazine *“This is the right voice to bring Mars vividly to life. Shindell’s history of what we know about the red planet goes beyond Western ideas, bringing valuable knowledge from many times, places, and cultures both into our view and into rich conversation. Its diverse perspectives and cast of characters make For the Love of Mars an essential read.” * Janet Vertesi, author of Shaping Science: Organizations, Decisions, and Culture on NASA’s Teams *“Through a wonderful combination of scholarly scientific research and thoughtful humanist perspective, Shindell’s For the Love of Mars provides a delightfully educational and entertaining history of our exploration of the red planet.” * Jim Bell, Mars researcher and coauthor of Discovering Mars: A History of Observation and Exploration of the Red Planet *“Shindell has done the impossible: setting out the long history of human engagement with the red planet over thousands of years in a single book. For the Love of Mars is compelling reading for anyone who has ever looked at, or even just wondered about, the fourth world from the sun and whether we'll set foot on it someday.” * Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society *"Humans are unsettled by incomplete data, unanswered questions. Show us objects in the night sky, and we create worlds. So it has been with Mars, conspicuous to us Earthbound gazers as one of the heavenly bodies that wanders from place to place against the backdrop of the stars. . . . a world that could share features with our own, as images of the known and unknown were both refashioned through intertwined changes in observation, understanding, exploration and belief. It’s that long evolution of ideas – not yet concluded – that Matthew Shindell relates in this compact survey." * The Arts Desk *"More than justifies itself as ‘another book about Mars’ in exploring the planet from a distinct and thought-provoking perspective." * E&T *"By focusing on the diverse human stories behind the telescopes and behind the robots we know and love, Shindell shows how Mars exploration has evolved in ways that have also expanded knowledge about other facets of the universe. Captained by an engaging and erudite expert, For the Love of Mars is a captivating voyage through time and space for anyone curious about Curiosity and the red planet." * Sandbox World *"Because of its visibility and striking color, everyone from Mayan priests to modern scientists have sought to center [Mars] in some way in human life. In this book, Shindell explores the ways our curiosity and subsequent exploration of the planet has led us to understanding the rest of our world as well." * Bookriot *"Historians of science are already well-acquainted with Mars’ centrality to science itself, as the Red Planet’s retrograde motion through the night sky led Renaissance and Enlightenment astronomers to toss out the wisdom of the Greeks and map out a series of laws of motion we now call physics. Science, though, is only part of this story: faith, fear, imperialism, and demonstrations of national prowess all figure in Shindell’s stories of Martian exploration, from the construction of telescopes to the landing of rovers on the Martian surface and preparations for future human settlement." * Quest *"By focusing on the diverse human stories behind the telescopes and behind the robots we know and love, the author shows how Mars exploration has evolved in ways that have also expanded knowledge about other facets of the universe. This book is a captivating voyage through time and space for anyone curious about Curiosity and the Red Planet." * LPIB *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Prologue: Mars in the Time of COVID-19 Introduction: Keeping Up with Mars 1 Mars and the Cosmic State 2 Mars in the Medieval Imagination 3 Restructuring the World 4 The Making of Modern Mars 5 Cold War Red Planet 6 Mars and the New Millennium Conclusion: The Human Future of Mars? Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis exploration of the physical universe explains fundamental concepts in a language that is accessible to anyone with little or no science background. It looks at the discoveries of science, the conservation of energy, the electromagnetic spectrum, gravity and thermodynamics.Trade ReviewA delightful, witty, informal, and wise guide to a sampling of essential principles, processes, and concepts of science. Skeptical InquirerTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements List of Figures Part I: Methods of Science 1. A Sentimental Journey to the Googolplex: A romp through numbers big and small 2. The Structure of Science: Behind the scenes of the scientific process 3. Measure for Pleasure: Measurement is the lifeblood of all science 4. The Confused Person's Guide to Astronomical Jargon: Names and words that do not always mean what they say Part II: Some Unifying Ideas in the Physical Universe 5. Center of Mass: You will never leave home without it 6. Energy: Where it comes from and where it goes 7. The Electromagnetic Spectrum: The world of light 8. Shapes of Radiation: Why blue-hot is hotter than red-hot 9. The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram: The most unifying concept in all astronomy 10. Highlights from the Periodic Table of the Elements: Some of your best friends are composed of elements Part III: Astronomy Is Looking Up 11. Menagerie: A cynic's guide to the constellations 12. Horrorscope: An astronomer's rebuttal 13. Celestial Windings: Making sense of heavenly motions Suggested Reading Index

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Book SynopsisAn inside look at the experience of space travel and the destinations we may one day visit as space tourists.Trade ReviewThere is no other book for the popular reader that addresses the many serious challenges involved in deep space travel. Understanding these issues is essential for anyone with an interest in space exploration. The Traveler's Guide to Space does an excellent job at looking at the whole picture, from space tourists to one-way colonization; from physical to psychological challenges. -- Robert Geller, University of California, Santa Barbara The Traveler's Guide to Space takes you on an amazing adventure and gives you the perspective that only a seasoned scientist can. Neil Comins presents a thorough and timely account of the incredible sights that await any solar system traveler, as well as scientific insight into the sensations, pitfalls, and wonders both geological and astronomical that he or she will encounter along the way. -- Andrew West, astronomer Neil F. Comins has written the go-to book for anyone interested in space exploration. Uncovered Books This makes an excellent primer for anyone, especially astronomy enthusiasts and budding astronauts, who can't afford a ticket to space and wish to visit in spirit. Booklist The Traveler's Guide to Space is a delight... don't leave Earth without it. New Scientist Reading The Traveler's Guide to Space will help the reader have a better grasp on what is happening in current events. -- Steve Canipe National Science Teachers Association A listing of the book in Science Book News ([published weekly.) Science Book NewsTable of ContentsIntroduction Part I: Preparing for Space 1. Science and the Solar System Over Easy 2. Brief Descriptions of Journeys Through Space 3. Preparing for Your Trip 4. Training for Space Travel Part II: Adjusting to Space 5. Launch! 6. Adjustments During the First Few Days 7. Long-Term Physical Adjustments to Space 8. Getting Along in Space: Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Space Travel Part III: Making the Most of Experiences in Space 9. Experiences by Destination Part IV: Home! Sweet? Home? 10. Emigrating to Mars or Returning to Earth Appendix: Powers of Ten Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisNew to Penguin Classics, the astonishing story of the Copernican Revolution, told through the words of the ground-breaking scientists who brought it aboutIn the late fifteenth century, it was believed that the earth stood motionless at the centre of a small, ordered cosmos. Just over two centuries later, everything had changed. Not only was the sun the centre of creation, but the entire practice of science had been revolutionised. This is the story of that astonishing transformation, told through the words of the astronomers and mathematicians at its heart. Bringing together excerpts from the works and letters of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Descartes, Newton and others for the first time, The Dawn of Modern Cosmology is the definitive record of one of the great turning points in human history.Edited with Translations, Notes and an Introduction by Aviva Rothman

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Book SynopsisHow to predict and calculate the positions of stars, planets, the sun, the moon, and satellites using a personal computer and high school mathematics.Our knowledge of the universe is expanding rapidly, as space probes launched decades ago begin to send information back to earth. There has never been a better time to learn about how planets, stars, and satellites move through the heavens. This book is for amateur astronomers who want to move beyond pictures of constellations in star guides and solve the mysteries of a starry night. It is a book for readers who have wondered, for example, where Saturn will appear in the night sky, when the sun will rise and set, or how long the space station will be over their location. In Celestial Calculations, J. L. Lawrence shows readers how to find the answers to these and other astronomy questions with only a personal computer and high school math. Using an easy-to-follow step-by-step approach, Lawrence explains what calculati

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Book SynopsisEugene Cernan is a unique American who came of age as an astronaut during the most exciting and dangerous decade of spaceflight. His career spanned the entire Gemini and Apollo programs, from being the first person to spacewalk all the way around our world to commanding Apollo XVII, man's last mission to the moon. This book tells his story.Trade ReviewThis is an exciting, insider's take on what it was like to become one of the first humans in space. Publishers Weekly Eugene Cernan offers unique insight...[he's] experienced it all African Sun Times A fascinating book...Cernan pulls few punches. Charlotte Observer Refreshingly told...written as though it's been days since he went to space, not decades. St. Petersburg Times [with] thrilling highlights, this is a book not just about space flight but also about the often brutal competition that went on between the US and the Soviet Union. Washington Times With the feel of a story recalled among friends, this is an appealingly down to earth account from the last man to walk on the moon. No advanced physics, no scientific mumbo-jumbo. Just a thoroughly engrossing recollection of Cernan's crucial role in the conquest of space. I loved the book. Ron Howard, Director, Apollo 13 I know the American people will learn a great deal from this book. I hope they learn a lot more about astronaut Gene Cernan, my friend, a man of courage and dedication. President George Bush "

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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 SynopsisBeyond dares to imagine a fantastic future for humans in spaceand then reminds us that we're already there.Trade Review"...Beyond is an irresistible, highly readable book." -- Monica Grady - Times Higher Education"...an engagingly written and stimulating thesis." -- Sky at Night"An astronomer and popular-science author, Impey makes an affable and generally even-handed guide to this fascinating subject, balancing rhetoric about humankind's restless curiosity with sober assessments of what is and is not possible." -- Physics World"Impey's engaging text is easy to read and comprehend, while offering a positive prognosis for humanity's future in space." -- Observatory Magazine"Beyond is a compelling book with great attention to detail and science that is awe-inspiring—it is a stellar read indeed." -- Astronomy Now

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Book SynopsisWith his inimitable wit, Tyson recounts how America's favourite planet was ousted from the cosmic hub.Trade Review"Now, in The Pluto Files, Tyson offers a highly entertaining history of Pluto..." -- New Scientist

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Book SynopsisThe Starflight Handbook A Pioneer's Guide to Interstellar Travel "The Starflight Handbook is an indispensable compendium of the many and varied methods for traversing the vast interstellar gulf--don't leave the Solar System without it!" --Robert Forward "Very sensible, very complete and useful.Table of ContentsIntroduction to Starflight. Objectives of Interstellar Missions. Rocket Propulsion for Interstellar Flight. Nuclear Pulse Propulsion. Beamed Energy Propulsion. Solar Sail Starships: Clipper Ships of the Galaxy. Fusion Ramjets. Interstellar Ion Scoops. Other Novel Advanced Propulsion Concepts. Interstellar Trajectories. The Interstellar Medium. Starship Navigation and Visual Effects in RelativisticFlight. Starflight between Fact and Fancy. Suspended Animation, Hibernation, and Hypothermia. Scientific Payloads. Detecting Extrasolar Planets. Appendices: Powers of Ten; Units, Constants, and Physical Data; Nearby Star Systems; Guide to Starflight Literature; The Twin ?Paradox;? Energy, Efficiency, and StarflightPropulsion; Realizing Starflight: A Plan for the Future. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisWritten by the former chief historian of NASA, here is the first in-depth, fully illustrated history of space exploration.Trade Review'A richly illustrated chronicle of space exploration … captures the awe-inspiring side of space' - Nature'A very easy to read and fact-packed overview of how space exploration was launched by imagination, nurtured by science, and built by technological drive and innovation' - Magonia Review of Books'An informed and informative read that never talks down to its readers … a clean, uncluttered design' - BBC Sky at NightTable of Contents1. Laying the Foundations for Space Exploration • 2. WWII Paves the Way for Space Exploration • 3. Making Space Exploration Real • 4. The Space Age Dawns • 5. The Race to the Moon • 6. New Nations/New Missions • 7. Spaceplanes and Orbital Stations • 8. The Lure of the Red Planet • 9. Beyond Mars • 10. Transterrestrial Expectations

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Book SynopsisA jawdropping book of photographs that transports the reader into space aboard the Rosetta probe.Trade Review'An extraordinary book' - Black & White Photography'Bringing us ever closer to these distant worlds' - Financial Times'A raft of truly otherworldly photographs … Testament to a hugely ambitious and pioneering scientific feat, Comet is an extraordinary book that transports the reader deep into the cosmos' - Outdoor PhotographyTable of ContentsIntroduction • 1. Launching • 2. First Earth Flyby • 3. Mars Flyby • 4. Second Earth Flyby • 5. Asteroid Stein Flyby • 6. Third Earth Flyby • 7. Asteroid Lutetia Flyby 8. Entering Deep Space Hibernation • 9. Exiting Deep Space Hibernation • 10. Rendezvous Manouevre • 11. Arrival at Comet • 12. Philae Landing • 13. Nominal Mission End

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Book SynopsisNeutron stars, the ultra-dense remnants of exploded stellar giants, are among the most fascinating objects in the cosmos. Katia Moskvitch introduces readers to their astonishing qualities and follows the scientists who are discovering what neutron stars can tell us about the mysteries of dark matter, black holes, and general relativity.Trade ReviewTaking us behind the scenes of scientific exploration, Katia Moskvitch introduces the people responsible for advancing our understanding of neutron stars and communicates the feeling of amazement that accompanies unexpected discovery. -- Jocelyn Bell Burnell, codiscoverer of pulsarsNeutron stars, super-dense balls of nuclear matter at the end-points of stellar evolution, are detectable from Earth through their emission of radio and gravitational waves. Katia Moskvitch provides a fascinating tour of the world’s most sensitive detectors for such radiation, the prediction and discovery of neutron stars, their place in the grand cosmic scheme, and up-close views of many of the gifted astrophysicists behind these discoveries. -- Joseph H. Taylor, Jr., winner of the Nobel Prize in PhysicsMoskvitch offers riveting explanations of what astronomers have learned so far using radio telescopes, starting with Jocelyn Bell’s discovery in 1967 of the first pulsar, and what puzzles remain in the tantrums as well as quiet murmur of neutron stars. -- Priyamvada Natarajan * New York Review of Books *Enthralling…Moskvitch skillfully explicates these bizarre celestial objects, memorably dubbing them ‘cosmic zombies’ for the way they send radio waves, gamma rays, and x-rays after the ‘death’ of the stars from which they originate…Carl Sagan devotees will relish this portrayal of a new frontier in science. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Fantastic…Not only are there great insights into the physics that underpin these zombie stars, but they are often explained using anecdotes from scientists all over the globe…Moskvitch has written a beautiful book of personal stories, entwined with an exploration of these exotic stellar objects. -- Amber Hornsby * BBC Sky at Night *For astronomers, neutron stars are the gift that keeps on giving. For more than fifty years, a crescendo of discoveries has amazed us and led us to probe the laws of physics to the breaking point. Katia Moskvitch recounts the key advances and clearly explains the underlying science. And she has the journalistic skills to offer readers a real feel for what it's like to be part of the international community of astronomers—experiencing triumphs and disappointments in the quest to discover exotic cosmic phenomena. -- Martin Rees, author of On the FutureIf watching Tom Cruise in Top Gun made some want to be navy pilots, this book will make many young scientists want to become detectives of the universe. Katia Moskvitch takes us through the history of our understanding of the enigmatic neutron stars in a book that is punctuated with human stories, crazy ideas, novel instrumentation, and profound discoveries. This rich tale is an inspiring account of the process of science. -- France A. Córdova, former Director of the National Science FoundationA remarkable encounter with remote radio observatories, mind-boggling theories, and the most bizarre objects in the universe. Packed with information but accessible throughout, this fast-paced book is a wonderful introduction to the most exciting topics in current astronomy. -- Govert Schilling, author of Ripples in SpacetimeAn extraordinary blending of scales and disciplines, from astrophysics to particle physics, Neutron Stars faithfully describes one of the most active frontiers of science today, and introduces the exciting new field of multi-messenger astronomy. -- Stavros Katsanevas, Director of the European Gravitational ObservatoryKatia Moskvitch takes the reader on a breakneck tour of the last century of thought and observation into neutron stars. Her research is impeccable, with complicated concepts presented in an easily understood manner. I highly recommend Neutron Stars to anyone who wants to learn not only about the history of neutron star research, but also the current race to understand fast radio bursts, magnetars, and colliding neutron stars. -- Stephen R. Taylor, Vanderbilt UniversityWith journalistic flair, unlimited enthusiasm, and enviable travel funds, Moskvitch has visited radio telescopes on five continents, spoken to many of the key researchers including Jocelyn Bell, and managed to connect a surprising number of dots to give a big picture view of the Universe. -- Michael Gross * Chemistry & Industry *A detailed overview of what we know, and have yet to find out, about neutron stars and their place in the universe…Engaging. -- Jeff Foust * Space Review *An enjoyable read about an area of science in which remarkable advances-in-insight have been made in recent years—and where much promising work looks to be possible. * Complete Review *

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Book SynopsisA companion to Welcome to the Universe, a ... bestseller that was inspired by the ... introductory astronomy course for non-science majors that Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott taught together at Princeton. [It] features more than one hundred problems and exercises used in the original course--Amazon.com.Trade Review"This book provides a very valuable resource for anyone who wants to acquire a reasonably quantitative understanding of introductory astronomy. The questions cover a broad range of interesting topics, and the solutions are thorough and often enlightening, providing additional insights into the subject matter."—Alex Filippenko, University of California, Berkeley"The difference between a good astronomy course and a great astronomy course is great problems. This book is a gold mine of great problems for introductory astronomy, problems that can be solved with high school algebra and run the gamut from earth-smashing asteroids to neutron stars, black holes, the fate of the universe, and the search for life on other worlds. It will be a valuable resource for anyone teaching introductory astronomy and an exhilarating challenge for students who want to sharpen their wits against the cosmos."—David Weinberg, Ohio State University"A fantastic asset. The hardest part of teaching introductory astronomy courses is writing engaging, informative problems at the appropriate level. This book provides a treasure trove of wonderfully instructive material that is much better than anything else out there. I will be using Tyson, Strauss, and Gott for a long time to come."—James H. Applegate, Columbia University"A marvelous compendium. This companion book demonstrates in a playful manner how, with no more than high school algebra, we can obtain a deeper appreciation of the properties of the infinitely large and small, and deepen our conversation with the cosmos."—Trinh X. Thuan, University of Virginia"A wonderful collection of introductory problems that convey the wonders of the universe and fundamental concepts in astronomy through specific examples and numbers. A fantastic resource for the classroom and aspiring astronomers."—Abraham Loeb, Harvard University"Microorganisms on Europa, colliding black holes, cosmic inflation, and much more are covered in this expansive and thoughtfully selected collection of exciting problems in astrophysics—even a two-dimensional Tardis appears! Both students and experienced astronomers should come away enriched through study of these problems and the techniques presented to crack them."—W. Niel Brandt, Pennsylvania State University

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Book SynopsisA "companion to Welcome to the Universe, a ... bestseller that was inspired by the ... introductory astronomy course for non-science majors that Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott taught together at Princeton. [It] features more than one hundred problems and exercises used in the original course"--Amazon.com.Trade Review"This book provides a very valuable resource for anyone who wants to acquire a reasonably quantitative understanding of introductory astronomy. The questions cover a broad range of interesting topics, and the solutions are thorough and often enlightening, providing additional insights into the subject matter."—Alex Filippenko, University of California, Berkeley"The difference between a good astronomy course and a great astronomy course is great problems. This book is a gold mine of great problems for introductory astronomy, problems that can be solved with high school algebra and run the gamut from earth-smashing asteroids to neutron stars, black holes, the fate of the universe, and the search for life on other worlds. It will be a valuable resource for anyone teaching introductory astronomy and an exhilarating challenge for students who want to sharpen their wits against the cosmos."—David Weinberg, Ohio State University"A fantastic asset. The hardest part of teaching introductory astronomy courses is writing engaging, informative problems at the appropriate level. This book provides a treasure trove of wonderfully instructive material that is much better than anything else out there. I will be using Tyson, Strauss, and Gott for a long time to come."—James H. Applegate, Columbia University"A marvelous compendium. This companion book demonstrates in a playful manner how, with no more than high school algebra, we can obtain a deeper appreciation of the properties of the infinitely large and small, and deepen our conversation with the cosmos."—Trinh X. Thuan, University of Virginia"A wonderful collection of introductory problems that convey the wonders of the universe and fundamental concepts in astronomy through specific examples and numbers. A fantastic resource for the classroom and aspiring astronomers."—Abraham Loeb, Harvard University"Microorganisms on Europa, colliding black holes, cosmic inflation, and much more are covered in this expansive and thoughtfully selected collection of exciting problems in astrophysics—even a two-dimensional Tardis appears! Both students and experienced astronomers should come away enriched through study of these problems and the techniques presented to crack them."—W. Niel Brandt, Pennsylvania State University

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Longlisted for the Young Adult Science Book Award, AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books""One of NPR's best books of 2020""If you enjoy imagining a mission in which humans launch a rocket that contains a spacecraft that releases a lander that launches a space boat – or even a space submarine – Hand’s book will help you grasp the full picture."---Philip Ewing, NPR's best books of 2020"A NASA scientist looks to the water-rich moons of Jupiter and Saturn, such as Europa, Titan, and Enceladus, as promising sites for the search for life beyond the Earth." * Publishers Weekly *"[Alien Oceans] describes why studying Earth’s own ocean is a crucial chapter in the quest to explore the shores of extraterrestrial seas."---Nadia Drake, National Geographic"Alien Oceans offers a historical look—as well as a peek into the future—at one of the most exciting aspects of space exploration. With the technology at hand, we could determine whether there’s life beyond Earth."---Sid Perkins, Science News"A book that is likely to prove one of the year’s most enthralling first-person accounts of a life in science."---Simon Ings, New Scientist"Alien Oceans successfully straddles a fine line between accessibility and scientific thoroughness. Hand's book is as fascinating as it is optimistic."---Tobias Mutter, Shelf Awareness"A maritime tale like no other. . . . For those who dream of plying the South Seas with Cook, or descending in the Bathysphere with Beebe, Alien Oceans provides an appealing guide to seas undreamt of until now."---Andrew H. Knoll, Times Literary Supplement"What is so captivating about this book is that it isn't just a solid survey of what we've learned in recent decades about the icy moons, but that the narrative is told by an active researcher deeply embedded in these endeavours. Through Hand's eyes we meet many of the key personalities involved and feel the sting of disappointment at cancelled funding or a malfunctioning probe, as well as the soaring excitement of a new discovery."---Lewis Dartnell, BBC Sky at Night Magazine"The author discusses how we look for and study alien oceans and what the future holds for this increasingly popular field of research. This is a book well suited to the general public, with very accessible prose, and science interspersed with personal anecdotes and witty analogies." * Nature Astronomy *"It’s a tale full of scientific twists, and Hand proves an exemplary guide: never going quite where you expect him to go and confidently leading you to ideas that are, as you’d hope, not at all obvious."---Corey S. Powell, American Scientist"To paraphrase Hamlet, there are more things in heaven and Earth than are dreamt in our philosophy. Hand calls on us to probe the depths of alien oceans to discover them. I agree."---Robert Zubrin, National Review"This is a fun, pretty cool book to read. . . . Hand’s enthusiasm is clear to see, and he has written an accessible book that takes the general reader along with him to illustrate what we already know about Io, Callisto, Titan, Ganymede and Europa too."---Simon Cocking, Irish Tech News"This book would make anyone excited about space. The research presented is thorough and the pictures included are amazing. Hand dives into every aspect of life imaginable."---Rachel Dehning, Manhattan Book Review"A thoughtful and thought-provoking treatise on the many facets that are being pursued in our quest to discover new worlds and search for life beyond our atmosphere."---Milbry C. Polk, The Explorers Journal"Alien Oceans represents an excellent introduction to the search for life in a newly defined zone of possibility. It is a good rendering of how scientific research in extreme environments is carried out, including examples of things that can go badly wrong, and comes across to the reader as the work of someone with a real enthusiasm for his subject. I very much hope that Hand will be our guide on future journeys."---John Gilbey, Chemistry World"[Hand] has been to improbable places - at risk to his own life - and has managed to conduct science while not passing on the chance to drink in the awe and wonderment of being there. This book is laced with that unfiltered enthusiasm and awe for what we have learned, what we are learning, and what lies ahead."---Keith Cowing, Astrobiology Web"Terribly fascinating, Alien Oceans makes a convincing case for exploring the moons in our solar system in the search for extraterrestrial life."---Leon Vlieger, The Inquisitive Biologist"If you want to learn about how the intersection of numerous areas of science are helping inform our understanding of the oceans, space, and ourselves, Alien Oceans is by far one of the most clearly written books on the topic. . . . It is also a wonderful window into the way scientists and engineers think about solving real world problems and applying basic knowledge."---Jonathan Wai, Forbes"A brilliant, exciting book that puts forth the best possible case for seeking extraterrestrial life on the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. I highly recommend it as one of the best books on astrobiology that I have seen so far."---Peter R. Bahn, Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres"Superb. . . . Alien Oceans is a delightful way to open the door to the discoveries that have already been made in this area of research as well as what questions are seeking to be answered now and what aspirations researchers have for the future."---Johannes E. Riutta, The Well-read Naturalist

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Winner of the 2017 PROSE Award in Cosmology & Astronomy, Association of American Publishers""One of Symmetry Magazine’s Physics Books of 2016""With an insider's insight and a storyteller's eye for detail. . . . Gott offers a thorough, vivid, and fascinating look at the cosmic web that makes up our universe." * Publishers Weekly *"The Cosmic Webis not just a well-told story about the frontiers of cosmological knowledge. It is also an inspiration to explore them further."---Michael Blanton, Nature"Weaving together personal anecdotes with physics and math, Princeton astrophysicist J. Richard Gott's The Cosmic Web chronicles the nearly 100-year quest to understand the anatomy of the universe. . . . Gott brings detailed insight to how our view of the cosmos has changed, providing a thorough accounting of how cosmologists arrived at these revelations."---Christopher Crockett, Science News"Provides an outstanding summation of [Gott's] search for understanding the spongy cosmic web that characterizes the universe at large scales. . . . [A] magnificent achievement."---David Eicher, Astronomy Magazine"With a style that's rich in fascinating detail, and bolstered by personal memories and anecdotes,The Cosmic Webdelivers everything we need in a book on this subject."---Alastair Gunn, BBC Sky at Night"An extraordinary book guiding the reader through the large scale of the Universe and the structure scientists encounter whilst looking at the Universe as a whole." * Read about Science *"I enjoyed this book hugely. It should be on the shelf of anyone who is intrigued by why the Universe looks the way it does."---Alan Longstaff, Astronomy Now"Full to the brim with wonderful analogies and genuinely interesting anecdotes that should be a component of all popular science books. If you've ever looked up at the night sky and wondered why it looks the way it does, this is one book you should really consider reading."---Amber Hornsby, Popular Astronomy"Fascinating. . . . I think it should be in every library which aims to cover astrophysics and cosmology."---G.W. Gibbons, Contemporary Physics

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Book SynopsisWas it a real star or an astrological event. Kidger reveals tools of modern science, historical research and inquiry to unravel the star of Bethlehem mystery. Illustrations throughout. 18 tables.Trade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2000 "An easily accessible style permits readers with minimal scientific training to share in the excitement of Kidger's rare feat of scholarly sleuthing... Kidger will not only convince all doubters, but his book will reset the terms for future attempts to put the scriptural Star in scientific context."--Booklist "Plenty of new and old data about the night sky and more than a little ancient history inform Kidger's clear account of his own and other's theories about the portent that led the Magi to Judea."--Publisher's Weekly "Stunningly, incredibly wonderfully an astronomer is now claiming that the age old story we were told as children may be based on the truth... I am inclined to agree with him. [This is] the most compelling solution yet to the mystery."--Robert Matthew, The ExpressTable of ContentsPREFACE vii Chapter 1. Matthew's Star 3 Chapter 2. A Star over Bethlehem? 20 Chapter 3. The First Christmas 39 Chapter 4. Halley's Comet and Other Red Herrings 73 Chapter 5. Shooting Stars and Fiery Rains 110 Chapter 6. Supernova Bethlehem? 136 Chapter 7. We Three Kings 166 Chapter 8. Triple Conjunctions: A Key to Unlocking the Mystery? 198 Chapter 9. Is the Answer Written in Chinese? 219 Chapter 10. What Was the Star of Bethlehem? 247 Epilogue. Which Star Is the Star? 267 Appendix. The Heavens above Bethlehem 277 NOTES 289 BIBLIOGRAPHY 295 INDEX 301

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