Popular astronomy and space Books

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 SynopsisGaze at the stars no matter where you are with this breathtaking constellation magnet set!- Deluxe Wooden Magnets: This set includes 8 illustrated, glow-in-the-dark wooden magnets, each featuring popular constellations:* Ursa Major & Minor* Orion* Hercules* Pegasus* Leo* Taurus* Andromeda * Gemini- Fold-out, Double-sided Poster: Show off your love for the stars with this 6 3/8 x 7 1/4 inch illustrated, glow-in-the-dark fold-out poster that features both the night sky in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. - Book Included: Learn some fun facts and myths of some of the most popular constellations in the 48-page, fully-illustrated mini book.- A Unique Gift for Star and Astrology Lovers: Star and astrology lovers of all ages and abilities will love this unique gift set.

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Book SynopsisA guide to the 99% of the Universe our eyes can’t see from a dazzling new voice in popular scienceTrade Review‘Engaging…this book will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about how we’ve learned what we know about the Universe.’ -- Chris North, BBC Sky at Night‘Matthew Bothwell’s excellent book is a compelling read. He sets the latest fascinating discoveries in their historical context, and highlights the mysteries that challenge future astronomers. The coverage is comprehensive and clear. The book stands out in a crowded field and deserves very wide readership.’ -- Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal‘Matthew Bothwell has opened a new window onto the night sky for his readers… A unique and compelling read that will open your eyes to the beautiful and multifaceted universe that scientists are exploring today.’ -- Emily Levesque, author of The Last Stargazers‘Matt’s book is an excellent introduction to how astronomers have learnt "what’s out there", particularly using radiation invisible to the human eye. He deftly conveys ideas with a cheerful and infectious enthusiasm, using humour, vivid analogies and personal anecdotes to bring our understanding of the Universe to life, without losing any scientific rigour. Highly readable, it offers an increased sense of wonder at the workings of the cosmos.’ -- Carolin Crawford, Emeritus Gresham Professor of Astronomy‘The Invisible Universe shows everything in a new light. In clear language this book takes you from the familiar to the deeply strange, from blue skies to black holes and beyond, showing how much we’ve learned and the immensity of what we have yet to understand.’ -- Ken MacLeod, author of the award-winning Fall Revolution series‘Matt Bothwell guides us through the world of astronomy and astrophysics with an engagingly written, up-to-date view of some of the key current frontiers. He opens our eyes to wavelengths beyond the light we can see. His journey includes galaxies, black holes, star formation, dust, gravitational waves, dark matter and dark energy – all with interesting historical context, accessible explanations and richly peppered with accurate analogies. A compelling read.’ -- Andrew Coates, Professor of Physics at UCL and Deputy Director (Solar System) at UCL’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory‘This book bursts with information without once becoming dull or over-complicated. Ideas are introduced at an accessible level, and unique analogies put abstract concepts and almost inconceivable quantities into a context that we can understand intuitively… Some of the core scientific content of this book may have been covered in other popular astronomy books, but rarely in such an engaging, warm, and readable way. Readers of all ages who want to gain a better understanding of the unseen Universe will find something here to enjoy.’ -- Astronomy Now‘Intriguing… In Dr Bothwell’s fascinating new book, we are taken on a cosmic journey… beautifully presented in a way that makes for compelling reading and opens up your mind to the unseen. A book that fully deserves to be on any curiously minded person’s book shelf.’ * Astronomy Ireland *‘A fascinating account that particularly stands out in the crowded field of scientific literature… Explaining difficult concepts in a digestible way, The Invisible Universe is a must-read for those seeking a straightforward route into the world of astronomy. One can’t help being attracted to Bothwell’s infectious passion for science, prompting us to stare out at the night sky and wonder what other discoveries lie hidden amongst the stars.’ -- Reaction‘A highly recommended and enjoyable read, especially if this is your first guidebook for this armchair trip… Dr. Bothwell examines each topic with the right mix of history, anecdote, analogy, science and implications… captivating.’ -- Starvind‘Matthew Bothwell has opened a new window onto the night sky for his readers, taking us on a sweeping tour of some of the most cutting-edge phenomena in the cosmos and using his knack for clear, precise, and inventive explanations to help us all see the unseen. A unique and compelling read that will open your eyes to the beautiful and multifaceted universe that scientists are exploring today.’ -- Emily Levesque, author of The Last Stargazers‘Excellent… a great read… Matthew Bothwell has a sense of wonder and joy about the concepts and ideas he is explaining. His enthusiasm and marvel are contagious… definitely the best book we have read and reviewed in 2022.’ -- Simon Cocking, Irish Tech News‘This is a beautifully articulated and informative book all about the wonders of our universe and the history behind it all. I was drawn to this book because the concept of space and all that’s in it interested me, and reading this has made me even more fascinated. It is truly a page-turner and was really hard to put down once I started reading.’ -- SMS Non-fiction Book Reviews

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Book SynopsisThis is a comprehensive guide to the basic movements we can observe in the sky. Schultz describes the daily movement of the stars from different parts of the earth (including southern hemisphere throughout). Included are the sun''s pattern of the day and of the year, the moon''s various periods, nodes and eclipses, as well as the planets'' apparent movement and loops, conjunctions and transits.The appendix contains tables of periods and rhythms, and a guide to important occurrences to the year 2010.

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Book SynopsisLisa''s breezy narrative style invites you to experience with her the challenges and joys of being a scientist on the frontier of discovery. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural HistoryHorizon-expanding... [Kaltenegger] has something of Sagan's knack for eliciting wonder. The Times A superb testament to the scientific virtue of curious wonder. Wall Street JournalFor thousands of years, humans have wondered whether we''re alone in the cosmos. Now, for the first time, we have the technology to investigate. But once you look for life elsewhere, you realize it is not so simple. How do you find it over cosmic distances? What actually is life? As founding director of Cornell University''s Carl Sagan Institute, astrophysicist Lisa Kaltenegger has built a team of tenacious scientists from many disciplines to create a specialized toolkit to find life on faraway worlds. In Alien Earths,

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Book SynopsisA lavishly illustrated look at the groundbreaking Apollo 11 mission, in honour of the 50th anniversary, featuring stunning and previously unpublished images that tell the incredible story of the first men on the moon.

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Book SynopsisWith a blend of exciting discoveries and important scientific theory, this innovative and readable introduction to astronomy is ideal for anyone who wants to understand what we know about the universe, and how we know it. Each chapter starts with details of a method of jow astronomers over time have observed the world, and then uses this as a springboard to discuss what they discovered, and why this was important for understanding the cosmos. The last chapter, on dark matter, also focuses on the many things we don''t yet know - reminding us that astronomy, like this book, is a fast-paced and fascinating subject.

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Book SynopsisThe revealing backstory of spaceflight before the establishment of NASA.NASA''s history is a familiar story, culminating with the agency successfully landing men on the moon in 1969, but its prehistory is an important and rarely told tale. Breaking the Chains of Gravity looks at the evolving roots of America''s space program--the scientific advances, the personalities, and the rivalries between the various arms of the United States military.America''s space agency drew together some of the best minds the non-Soviet world had to offer. The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and the U.S. Air Force, meanwhile, brought rocket technology into the world of manned flight. The road to NASA and successful spaceflight was paved by fascinating stories and characters. At the end of World War II, Wernher von Braun escaped Nazi Germany and came to America where he began developing missiles for the United States Army. Ten years after he createdTrade ReviewTeitel explores the fascinating history of one of the most crucial space flight innovations that made the Apollo moon landings possible. * How it Works *Teitel delivers on detail, such as the exploits of supersonic-flight pioneer Chuck Yeager. * Nature *A really compulsive story, excellently and engagingly told, effortlessly carries the burden of fact and detail with as much deceptive ease as a Redstone Rocket. * Adventures in Historyland *Breaking the Chains of Gravity tells the story of how we began to explore the cosmos – the lessons we had to learn the hard way – and shows why space exploration even today remains anything but routine. * Bobak Ferdowsi, Flight Director, Mars Science Laboratory *Teitel … illuminates the foundations of American spaceflight with this exceptional and detailed ‘prehistory’ of the field … fascinating new territory, filled with a galaxy of lively characters. * Publisher's Weekly *Table of ContentsPreface Chapter 1: Hobby Rocketeers Chapter 2: The Rocket Loophole Chapter 3: The Turning Tide of War Chapter 4: Escape and Surrender Chapter 5: Nazi Rockets in New Mexico Chapter 6: Rockets Meet Airplanes Chapter 7: A New War, a New Missile, and a New Leader Chapter 8: Higher and Faster Chapter 9: Edging into Hypersonics Chapter 10: The Floating Astronaut Chapter 11: Space Becomes an Option Chapter 12: The First Satellite Race Chapter 13: One Little Ball’s Big Impact Chapter 14: The Fight to Control Space Epilogue: America Finds Its Footing in Space Glossary of People Glossary of Places and Organizations Glossary of Rockets Selected Notes Bibliography Acknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisThe volcano among the most familiar and perhaps the most terrifying of all geological phenomena. However, Earth isn''t the only planet to harbour volcanoes. In fact, the Solar System, and probably the entire Universe, is littered with them. Our own Moon, which is now a dormant piece of rock, had lava flowing across its surface billions of years ago, while Mars can be credited with the largest volcano in the Solar System, Olympus Mons, which stands 25km high. While Mars''s volcanoes are long dead, volcanic activity continues in almost every other corner of the Solar System, in the most unexpected of locations. We tend to think of Earth volcanoes as erupting hot, molten lava and emitting huge, billowing clouds of incandescent ash. However, it isn''t necessarily the same across the rest of the Solar System. For a start, some volcanoes aren''t even particularly hot. Those on Pluto, for example, erupt an icy slush of substances such as water, methane, nitrogen or ammonia, that fTrade ReviewFire and Ice is an assured, essential read on everything you could hope to know about volcanoes on both our world and others. It captures the intrigue, mystery and wonder of space, and underscores just how much we have to thank volcanoes for on Earth. * New Scientist *Starkey’s excellent book is the first to examine these extra-terrestrial volcanoes of our Solar System … It’s an explosive read in more ways than one. * Forbes *In Fire and Ice, geologist and solar system maven Natalie Starkey reveals to us that Earth is not the only host for active volcanoes. You can find them in places not previously imagined, like the surfaces of other planets and their moons. And you think you’ve seen everything? Some of these volcanoes even spew ice. Read all about it in this mind-expanding book. * Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist American Museum of Natural History *[Starkey] masterfully weaves the latest information we have about volcanoes throughout the Solar System into a broader narrative about planets and moons themselves. The result is a book about volcanoes — and so much more ... entertaining and informative. * Nature *A FANTASTIC exploration of the hidden workings of the planets, and a timely reminder of what a fascinating and dramatic place our solar system is. * Dallas Campbell, Science television presenter and author *Fire and Ice explores a unique blend of space volcanoes – from the inner workings to the outer landscapes. Natalie journeys into the weird nature of volcanism and dives into current outstanding questions that we are still exploring. * Dr Caitlin Ahrens, NASA / USRA *Natalie Starkey leads us on an incredible journey across our Solar System, revealing a wonderful variety of volcanic geology. A fascinating look at volcanoes and the space science that enables us to study them. * Rebecca Williams, Volcanologist *Starkey takes readers on NASA’s expeditions, onto islands, and between tectonic plates undersea with vivid, immersive descriptions. The result is a thoroughly accessible look at a lesser-known part of the universe. * Publisher's Weekly *Table of ContentsPreface Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Destruction Chapter 3: Making a Magma Chapter 4: Construction Chapter 5: Creating a Life-giving World Chapter 6: Peering In Chapter 7: Warming Up Chapter 8: Cooling Off Chapter 9: Fiery Moons Chapter 10: Fiery Planets Chapter 11: Ice Worlds Chapter 12: What Next? Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisScience fiction is filled with spacecraft. On Earth, actual rockets explode over Texas while others make their way to Mars. But what are spacecraft, and just what can they teach us about imagination, ecology, democracy, and the nature of objects? Why do certain spacecraft stand out in popular culture?If ever there were a spacecraft that could be detached from its context, sold as toys, turned into Disney rides, parodied, and flit around in everyone's headthe Millennium Falcon would be it. Springing from this infamous Star Wars vehicle, Spacecraft takes readers on an intergalactic journey through science fiction and speculative philosophy, revealing real-world political and ecological lessons along the way. In this book Timothy Morton shows how spacecraft are never mere flights of fancy.Trade ReviewAs I read Morton’s account of his childhood engagement with space flight, I thought of my own, when my personal imaginary met world history, though I certainly didn’t think in those terms at the time. In pursuing Morton’s childhood, I’m not attempting to shoehorn Spacecraft into old-fashioned biographical criticism whereby one seeks to explain a text by finding its secrets in the author’s autobiography. It’s part of the story he’s telling, one common to many children whose imagination has been fired with visions of space travel. It’s a story born of a specific cultural imaginary common among children of the last decades of the previous century … Spacecraft, then, is a vehicle in which Morton meditates on futurality. The Millennium Falcon, along with hyperspace, is at the center of this meditation. * 3 Quarks Daily *Morton is the punk rock sci-fi geek artist philosopher of Now. In prose as precise and freewheeling as one of their flights-of-fancy spacecraft, this book takes us on a journey of the mind through the hyperspace of pop-culture and high thought, because It Is All Connected Can’t You See? I started reading this and lost a day but gained a light year. * Max Borenstein, screenwriter of Godzilla vs. Kong *This is a brilliantly provoking book about why spacecraft are not at all the same as spaceships, and how imaginary objects can transform our thinking. Morton offers an exuberant, acute, compact, and luminously uplifting guide to the ways in which human society might become a whole lot more progressive in the coming centuries. * Nicholas Royle, author of Veering: A Theory of Literature *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Ships and Craft 1. Garbage 2. Winnings 3. Luck 4. Lounge 5. Hyperspace 6. Anyone Index

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Book SynopsisShot with ultra-high definition cameras, this book of amazing photographs showcases a period of unusually high solar activity in the Northern Lights. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, put on remarkable shows of light and motion in high latitudes - Alaska being the perfect place to see them. These new photos take full advantage of the latest advances in photographic technology and especially active solar storms of the past several years that cause the lights. With 160 images that have never been collected in book form, we are witnessing the interaction of charged particles in the earth's atmosphere clash with electrons and protons released by the sun. Photographers Calvin Hall and Daryl Pederson are dedicated aurora borealis hunters, enduring frigid nights in remote locations to get the best shots. The results are amazing.

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Book SynopsisCan you spot the Big Dipper in the night sky? Or Orion’s Belt? Or Cassiopeia? Even in cities, and without the aid of a telescope, these are a few of the easier constellations to find. In fact, a great deal can be seen in the night sky with the naked eye – if you know what you’re looking for. Night Sky presents 200 colour photographs of stunning nocturnal vistas all visible to the naked eye. From the majesty of the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) as seen from Norway or Canada, and the Southern Lights (Aurora australis) as seen from Australia, to seeing the clarity of the Milky Way over an Italian forest, from witnessing a lunar eclipse in Indonesia to charting the course of the International Space Station across the Indian night, and from seeing a Geminid meteor shower in New Mexico to recognizing the Great Bear (Ursa Major) constellation over New England, the book is a feast of nocturnal delights. Where necessary, additional inset photographs indicate the formation of a constellation. Presented in a landscape format and with 200 outstanding colour photographs supported by fascinating captions, Night Sky is a stunning collection of images.Trade Review‘Not just about stars and planets and distant galaxies and the infinitude of space, Night Sky is also about the earthly landscapes from which such visions can be seen. You’ll do well to find many more arresting images than these.’ -- Marcus Berkmann * Daily Mail *Table of ContentsIntroduction Europe Supermoon rising over Glastonbury Tor, Somerset, England Aurora Borealis over Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall, Iceland Watching the Northern Lights, Jokulsarlon, Iceland Moon, Venus, Pleiades and Hyades over Kiruna, Sweden Aurora Borealis over Kirkjufell Mountain, Iceland Snow Moon, Lofoten Islands, Norway Aurora Borealis over Sommarøy Bridge, Norway Dance of the Northern Lights, Lofoten Islands, Norway Intense aurora, Lofoten Islands, Norway Road to the Northern Lights, Norway Venus and reflection over Kald Fjord, Kvaloya, Norway Milky Way above mountains, Norway Venus and crescent moon, Lapland, Finland Milky Way over Tatra mountains, Poland Milky Way, over the Carpathians, Ukraine Milky way over Lake Elton, Russia Star trails above Enisala Fortress, Dobrogea, Romania Perseid Meteors above the Beglik dam, Bulgaria Fairy chimneys at night with stars in the sky, Cappadocia, Turkey Milky Way, Mount Olympus, Greece Braies Lake, South Tyrol, Italy Orion over Colma di Sormano, Como, Italy Milky Way over Sibillini Mountains National Park, Le Marche, Italy Milky Way on summer night, Dolomites, Italy Milky way over the desert of Bardenas, Spain Night Sky over the Matterhorn, The Alps, Switzerland Orion over Ves chapel, Vosges, France Stars over Eiffel Tower, Paris, France Starry sky over Mont Blanc Range, Lac de Chesery, France/Italy/Switzerland Cassiopeia and Milky Way reflected in Garreg-ddu reservoir, Elan Valley, Wales Eclipsed Moon and Mars, Munich, Germany Geminid Meteor over Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England International Space Station over Severn Bridge, England/Wales Venus, Mars and Jupiter in conjunction, Isle of Portland, England Ursa Major over Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, England Milky Way over St Michaels Mount, Cornwall, England Moon and Venus, St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, England Super Blue Moon Rise, Wiltshire, England Orion and Pleiades over Martinsell Hill, Wiltshire, England The Great Bear over Avebury, Wiltshire, England Regulus, Castor, Pollux and Procyon, Isle of Skye, Scotland Moonrise on Lundy, Devon, England Fireball over Clatteringshaws Loch, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland North America Milky Way over Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canada Aurora Borealis, Greenland Milky Way over Kathleen Lake & the St Elias Mountains, Kluane National Park, Yukon, Canada Milky Way, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada Northern Lights over North Saskatchewan Landing school, Kyle, Canada The Milky Way over the Oxtongue Rapids, Muskoka, Canada Supermoon rising over Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 13 November 2016 Hale-Bopp Comet and Northern Lights, Alaska Stars above East Twin peak, Alaska Aurora Borealis, Fort Greely, Alaska Milky Way over Crater Lake, Oregon, USA Total solar eclipse, Ritter, Oregon, USA Baily’s beads, total solar eclipse, Ritter, Oregon People watching and photographing total solar eclipse, Madras, Oregon, USA Hale Bopp comet and Mauna Kea observatories, Hawaii Badwater Basin, Death Valley, California, USA Milky Way over Red Rock Canyon, California, USA Milky Way and Saturn, Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA Star Trails, Mono Lake, California, USA Moon ring, Arches National Park, Utah, USA Orion, Sirius and Jupiter over June Lake, California, USA Night Sky over Golden Gate Bridge, California, USA Milky Way over Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA Geminid meteor shower over the Very Large Array radio telescope, Magdalena, New Mexico, USA Annular Eclipse over New Mexico, USA, 20 May, 2012 Crescent moon and Venus over downtown St. Louis, Missouri, USA View from Clingman’s Dome at night, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA Milky Way over Hunting Island, South Carolina, USA Milky Way over New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA Milky Way over Cape Romano dome house, Florida, USA A panoramic view of the Milky Way Galaxy over Stage Harbor Lighthouse at Hardings Beach in Chatham, Massachusetts, USA South America Star Trails, Atacama, Chile Llano del Hato National Astronomical Observatory, Merida state, Venezuela Ologa, Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela Tungurahua Volcano, Colombian Andes, Ecuador Chimborazo, Ecuador Milky Way over Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru Ishinca base camp, Cordillera Blanca, Peru Milky Way over Mount Auzangate, Cordilliera Vilcanota, Peru Flyby of the International Space Station (ISS), Pedra Azul and Venda Nova do Imigrante, Espirito Santo State, Brazil Leblon Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Milky Way core rising behind Pedra Azul, Espirito Santo state, Brazil Milky Way over Jalapao State Park, Brazil Golden Tree, Cerrado Biome, Brazil Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds over Uyuni the salt flats, Bolivia Zodiacal light over Uyuni Salt farm, Bolivia Lake and Cuernos mountains, Torres del Paine, Chile Ice penitentes on a high-altitude plateau in the Andes mountains, Chile Centaurus above the European Southern Observatory’s telescope at La Silla Observatory, Chile European Southern Observatory, Chile Star trails above Very Large Telescope at Paranal Observatory, Chile Star trails over ALMA radio astronomy antennas, Chile Meteor and crescent moon over Pan de Azucar National Park, Chile Moai at moonrise, Easter Island, Chile Moonrise over Lauca National Park, Chile Milky Way over Cerro Armazones, Chile Aurora australis, Valley of the Moon, Chile Moon over Punta del Diablo, Uruguay Moonrise over the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia, Argentina Moon and Venus over Buenos Aires, Argentina Fitz Roy Massif and Glacial Lake, Patagonian Cordillera, Chile Comet McNaught over Patagonia, Argentina Four planets over the Atlantic, Buenos Aires, Argentina Lunar halo, Punta Piedras, Argentina Milky Way over Iguazu Falls at night, Argentina Scorpius over Mercedes, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina Milky Way and southern twilight, Pebble Island, Falkland Islands Australasia Milky Way framed by a Cave, Wellington, New Zealand Partial solar eclipse through bushfire smoke over Broken Bay, Sydney, Australia Venus and Jupiter in conjunction over Uluru, Australia Milky Way over Shipwreck Coast, Victoria, Australia The Pinnacles at night, Nambung National Park, Western Australia Milky Way over Uluru, Australia Comet Lovejoy over the Southern Ocean, Cape Schanck, Victoria, Australia Comet McNaught over the outback, Mildura, Victoria, Australia Night Sky above Fog, Wellington, New Zealand Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds over Wainuiomata coast, New Zealand Milky Way and Jupiter, Whangapoua Beach, New Zealand Total solar eclipse, Northern Cook Islands Moonset, Brooklyn Wind Turbine, Wellington, New Zealand Milky way over Castle Rock, Castlepoint, Wairarapa, New Zealand Moonrise over Lake Tasman, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand Milky Way and Canopus, Cape Palliser, New Zealand Aurora Australis, Wellington, New Zealand Milky Way, Cable Bay, New Zealand Aurora Australis, Queenstown, New Zealand Milky Way, Tasman Valley, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand Milky Way, Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand Asia, Middle East, Far East Orion, Sirius and Canopus over the Bay of Bengal from Ngapali, Myanmar Night sky over Gunung Bromo, Java, Indonesia Orion from Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Stars over Tioman Island, Malaysia The Milky Way above Lam Isu Reservoir, Kanchanaburi, Thailand Milky Way over Koh Hai Island, Thailand Orion, Sirius and Canopus over the Bay of Bengal from Ngapali, Myanmar Geminid meteor shower, Yunnan province, China Orion and Sirius rise above the Yunnan Astronomical Observatory, China Crescent Moon, Venus and Saturn, Patan, Nepal Orion rises above Himalayas, Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, Lake Namtso, Tibet, China Milky Way over Namgyal Tsemo Gompa Buddhist monastery in Leh, Ladakh, India Milky Way over Leh city in Leh Ladakh, India Milky Way over Chandratal Lake, Himachal Pradesh, India Sirius in Canis Major and Orion above Alborz Mountains, Iran Leaked rocket fuel over Alborz Mountains, Iran Milky Way over Garmeh Oasis, Dasht-e Kavir, Iran Observing Leo, Um Frouth rock arch, Wadi Rum, Jordan Milky Way, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn over Wadi Rum, Jordan Africa Milky Way over the Avenue of Baobabs, Madagascar Night Sky over Erg Chebbi, Morocco Stars of constellation Centaurus, Tassili National Park, Algeria Milky Way over Erg Chebbi, Morocco Pyramids at night, Giza, Egypt Milky Way and Large Magellanic Cloud over Mount Kilimanjaro, viewed from Amboseli, Kenya Masai Tribesman under Milky Way, Kenya Milky Way over Acacia Tree, Masai Mara, Kenya Large Magellanic Cloud over Masai Mara, Kenya Night sky over Mount Kilimanjaro, viewed from Amboseli National Park, Kenya Quiver Trees and Three Galaxies, Keetmanshoop, Namibia Milky Way over Dead Vlei, Soussvlei, Namibia Star trails, Dead Vlei, Sossusvlei, Namibia Baobab trees and Milky Way, Makgadikgadi National Park, Botswana Milky Way over the Southern African Large Telescope, Northern Cape Province, South Africa Comet McNaught Cape Town South Africa Night sky over Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga, South Africa Appendices A solar eclipse A Lunar month Star Charts Index

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times must read book of 2019 'An out-of-this-world read ... brilliant and compelling. Morton is a high-octane British science journalist, and every chapter is littered with material that strikes, amazes or haunts ... this is a book filled not just with a lifetime's knowledge of its subject but with a lifetime's suppressed excitement.' James McConnachie, Sunday Times Every generation has looked up from the Earth and wondered at the beauty of the Moon. 50 years ago, a few Americans became the first to do the reverse - with the whole world watching through their eyes. In this short but wide-ranging book, Oliver Morton explores the history and future of humankind's relationship with the Moon. A counterpoint in the sky, it has shaped our understanding of the Earth from Galileo to Apollo. Its gentle light has spoken of love and loneliness; its battered surface of death and the cosmic. For some, it is a future on which humankind has turned its back. For others, an adventure yet to begin. Advanced technologies, new ambitions and old dreams mean that men, women and robots now seem certain to return to the Moon. What will they learn there about the universe, the Earth-and themselves? And, this time, will they stay?Trade ReviewAn out-of-this-world read ... brilliant and compelling. Morton is a high-octane British science journalist, and every chapter is littered with material that strikes, amazes or haunts ... this is a book filled not just with a lifetime's knowledge of its subject but with a lifetime's suppressed excitement. -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *I have read almost everything written about the lunar missions, yet I have never encountered a book that captures so perfectly and so lyrically the ridiculous power that the moon holds over human sensibility. This is a beautiful book about Luna - a "Moon of many stories, Moon as might be and Moon as always was, Moon longed for and Moon happened upon". It exposes the magnificent desolation of the lunar quest, yet still captures the beguiling hold that the moon has over all of us. -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times *Wonderful and comprehensive ... full of human stories and rich with lunar-obsessed characters -- Rowan Hooper * New Scientist *A very good book about the Moon but even more admirably, a different one. It is good because it is superbly well-written and enjoyably organised. It is different because it looks beyond Apollo towards the future ... A pleasure to read. * Economist *a superb lunar history that explores both its past and future * Sunday Times *[Morton] crafts elegant, witty prose and the book is full of interesting observations and insights -- Darragh McManus * Irish Independent *This is a book to bend your mind ... the most eloquent exploration of our modern understanding of the Moon -- Alexandra Witze * Nature *

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Book SynopsisLet Lonely Planet take you further than ever before with the world's first and only travel guide to the Universe. Developed with the latest data from NASA, we take you from our home on Earth and out into the far reaches of the solar system, then into our neighbouring stars and planetary systems, and finally into the rest of our galaxy and the Universe. This fascinating journey will help you explore space as you would the world with a Lonely Planet guide. Unique to these pages are wonderful comparisons of Earth with the other worlds of our solar system and even those exoplanets orbiting other stars. You'll discover as much as we know about our celestial neighbourhood, and our place in it. In addition to planets and moons, get to know our Sun, explore the asteroid belt and the Kuiper Belt, and learn what lays beyond, in interstellar space. Outside our solar system, travel to some of the notable neighbouring stars, stellar systems and exoplanets we've discovered. You'll understand how we search for planets where life might exist and the stars they orbit. Finally, discover the edge of the observable Universe. Get to know the structure of the Milky Way as well as an orientation to neighbouring galaxies like the Andromeda Galaxy which is visible from Earth. Then explore other galactic formations and learn about galactic clusters and superclusters. By the end of the book, you'll have a sense for the structure of the entire Universe as well as some of the big questions we still have as we ponder our place in it. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

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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 SynopsisAll the winning and shortlisted images from the 2013 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, which is organized by the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.Trade Review"a magnificent treat for astronomers everywhere" Good Book Guide “This is an ideal gift for lovers of photography, astronomy and the natural world.” The Irish News "A truly stunning collection of images from some of the world's top amateur astrophotographers" – Will Gater (Astronomer) “a useful guide for anyone hoping to develop their astrophotography skills.” Outdoor Photography

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Breathtaking, highly entertaining and understandable for non-specialist readers, who will be amazed by the great variety of tales that the book addresses...An excellent book that shows nicely that “every star story is about us”.”—H. Natalia Sánchez, Journal of Skyscape Archaeology“In this book of stories, Aveni introduces readers to the diversity of constellation mythologies. An entirely original, vividly written, and totally absorbing book by a world expert.”—Simon Mitton, University of Cambridge“Aveni is the star of his own luminous book: casting light in the form of stories – about the sky, time, earthly correspondences and concerns, and human imagination.”—Christopher Vecsey, author of Imagine Ourselves Richly: Mythic Narratives of North American Indians"Aveni skillfully guides us around the awesome night sky through the imagination of different peoples around the world, past and present. A wonderful treasury of cultural astronomy."—Jacqueline Mitton, author of Zoo in the Sky““Connections between Earth Mother and Sky Father are universal. The stories in this book are wise and wonder‑filled to encourage humility and mindfulness.”—Sunny Dooley, Diné Traditional Wisdom Keeper

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Book SynopsisAn unforgettable tour of the strange and wonderful universes that modern physics posits might-just might-be out there.

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Book Synopsis“There can be few better guides to the bewildering array of potential universes, and none so readable or entertaining.”—Manjit Kumar, The IndependentTrade Review"Starred Review. A narrative laced with humor and poetry . . . mind-expanding." -- Booklist"A solid overview of the evolution of cosmology, with illuminating coverage of the current state of the art." -- Kirkus Reviews"As it turns out, exercising the brain cells in thinking about such matters is great fun, and The Book of Universes is an excellent place to start such an exploration." -- New Statesman"Entertaining and accessible." -- Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisAn accessible, informative guide to identifying constellations and other incredible features of the sky, whether you’re hiking, camping, or stargazing from your backyard. Discover the Stars leads you on a tour of all the stars and constellations visible with the naked eye and introduces you to deep-sky objects that can be seen with binoculars or a simple telescope. The tour is conducted by the editor of Astronomy magazine, Richard Berry, whose two-color, computer-plotted sky maps and clear instructions make stargazing fun and productive from your first night out.The heart of Discover the Stars is two sections of big, beautiful sky maps and charts. The first section features twelve maps that show the entire sky overhead as it appears during each month of the year. These outline all the constellations visible anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, and the accompanying text reveals the rich ancient mythology that surrounds the star groups.T

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Book SynopsisTo the beginner, the star-filled night sky can seem mysterious and unfathomable. But with this book as a guide the awesome nature of the Cosmos is brought down to Earth. Over the course of twelve chapters Mark Thompson, one of the presenters on BBC One's Stargazing Live and the resident astronomer on ITV's The Alan Titchmarsh Show, will take you on a journey through space, tackling the key concepts of astronomy and unlocking the secrets of the sky. From the origins of our Universe to the ever evolving techniques used to explore deep space, A Down to Earth Guide to the Cosmos traces the journey of galactic discovery that has obsessed mankind for thousands of years.Accompanying the narrative, a series of monthly sky guides focus on the astronomical highlights visible at each given time of year, with handy charts to show you exactly what to look for and how to navigate around the sky at night. As fascinating as it is accessible, A Down to Earth Guide to the Cosmos is a must for anyone who gazes up and wishes they knew more about the final frontier...Trade ReviewMark is a wonderful promoter of Astronomy. He's tremendously knowledgeable about the geography of the night sky, guiding the experienced amateur and complete novice with equal skill and passion. -- Professor Brian CoxAn admirably clear and concise guide to the wonders of the night sky, which will give anyone with a hankering to rise above the humdrum a toehold in the heavens. This is a book to get people started, whether keen amateurs or clueless professionals. -- Marcus Chown * New Scientist *I was captivated... a thoroughly good read. I wholeheartedly recommend A Down To Earth Guide... as an entertaining, exciting read, but also as solid reference material for any amateur astronomer. -- Ian O'Neill * Discovery Space *This book alone would be a good start for any budding Patrick Moore. * Engineering and Technology Magazine *Mark Thompson’s book tackles what most imagine to be a very complicated topic, opening up a whole new area of our universe in the most simple and straightforward manner. The reader is given a fascinating insight into our night sky and anyone who reads it will find themselves standing outside staring into that dark and deep abyss. * We Love This Book *A fantastic book that's perfect for both those interested in the science of the stars and those looking to do some observing themselves. Wonderfully written and accessible to astronomers of all ages and levels. This brilliant book is definitely worth picking up. * All About Space *

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Book SynopsisThe author of the award-winning Taking the Quantum Leap explains how the new physics predicts the existence of universes that are similar to and perhaps even duplicates of our own universe. Illustrated.

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Book SynopsisSelected as a Mission Specialist in 1978 in the first group of shuttle astronauts, Mike Mullane completed three missions and logged 356 hours aboard the Discovery and Atlantis shuttles. It was a dream come true. As a boy, Mullane could only read about space travel in science fiction, but the launch of Sputnik changed all that. Space flight became a possible dream and Mike Mullane set out to make it come true. In this absorbing memoir, Mullane gives the first-ever look into the often hilarious, sometime volatile dynamics of space shuttle astronauts - a class that included Vietnam War veterans, feminists, and propeller-headed scientists. With unprecedented candour, Mullane describes the chilling fear and unparalleled joy of space flight. As his career centred around the Challenger disaster, Mullane also recounts the heartache of burying his friends and colleagues. And he pulls no punches as he reveals the ins and outs of NASA, frank in his criticisms of the agency. A blast from start to finish, Riding Rockets is a straight-from-the-gut account of what it means to be an astronaut, just in time for this latest generation of stargazers.Trade Review"Space-age America in all its glory and folly as seen through the eyes of a remarkable writer who has brilliantly captured the triumphant and tragic years of the space shuttle era. Riding Rockets soars." -- Homer Hickam, author of Rocket Boys"Compelling." -- Entertainment Weekly"This is not your father's astronaut memoir.... Mullane's story rings true every adventurous step of the way." -- Rocky Mountain News"Funny, harrowing, tragic...Riding Rockets is a thrill, from start to finish." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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Book SynopsisDiscover the wonders of the Universe with this complete introduction to observing and understanding the night sky.This practical guide explains and demystifies stargazing, teaching you to recognize different kinds of objects and showing you how they move through the sky over the course of the night and the year. It shows you how to understand and enjoy the cosmos, building your practical astronomy skills from the basics to more advanced techniques. Beginning with an explanation of the Universe itself - how big is it, what shape is it, how old is it, and will it end? - it then takes you on a tour around the night sky, building up your knowledge in simple stages. Practical advice begins with naked-eye observations, then illustrated step-by-step instructions show you how to set up and use binoculars and telescopes and how to take your own pictures of the night sky. It also lets you take a closer look at the different objects you can view in the night sky, telling yo

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Book SynopsisRoland Miller’s colour photographs document the NASA, air force, and army facilities across the US that once played a crucial role in the space race. The haunting images collected here impart artistic insight while preserving an important period in history.

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Book SynopsisIn this astronomically spectacular, large-format photographic retrospective, National Geographic celebrates the impact of the Hubble Space Telescope in its 25th anniversary year. Highlighting the most eye-popping images, significant discoveries, and many ways that this telescope''s visions have revolutionized our understanding of the universe, this book wil appeal to space aficionados and photography buffs alike. The Hubble Telescope has now gazed into deep space for 25 years, imaging galaxies, nebulas, and supernovas for a new picture of the universe and our place in it. In honor of its 25th anniversary, space historians David DeVorkin and Robert Smith team up again to tell the stories of 25 iconic moments in the illustrious telescope''s career, illustrated with breathtaking, never-before-seen images. Here are the major challenges and triumphs, the key scientific findings, the brilliant scientists behind the scenes, and the public''s love affair with a space telescope.Trade Review"Every Hubble Space Telescope photo is met with equal measure of awe and wonder." —International Business Times"Visually stunning...this compendium will blow your earth-based mind." —New York Post

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Book SynopsisA big, beautiful beginner''s guide to the cosmos - planets, stars, galaxies, and beyond - through the Star Trek lens. For the science enthusiasts among Star Trek fans and the parents looking for gift books that offer education with entertainment. As Star Trek celebrates its 50th anniversary, this book reveals the real science behind its fantastic and beloved fictions, inviting readers to step outside, gaze up at the night sky, and observe some of the destinations the Starfleet has visited. Many of the galactic destinations featured in Star Trek over the years - multiple star systems, alien worlds, supernova explosions, emission nebulae, voracious black holes - are scientifically valid, so much so that one can step out and view them in the night sky. In this book astronomy educator Andrew Fazekas, The Night Sky Guy, takes you on that journey, starting with specific Star Trek voyages, explaining the science behind them, and guiding you in observing and learning more about the real-univerTrade Review"The handsomely illustrated compendium looks at space, intergalactic travel, the possibility of alien life and dozens of other topics through the prism of the characters, plots, themes, weaponry, gadgets and other ideas interwoven into Star Trek." --Parade"This book is excellent....It's thorough and clever, and just fun." —Revolution Science Fiction“This guide is for anyone ready to launch their own mission into space—the final frontier. Your personal voyage to explore strange new worlds begins here.”-StarTrek.com“For Star Trek fans and budding stargazers who are ready to launch their own space mission, this inventive book blends science and fiction, making learning fun.”-Able Greenspan Review“…compact and clearly explained charts show how you can beam yourself up and join the crew on their voyages—at least in spirit.”- The Jersey Journal“The blend of real astronomy and bits of Star Trek lore and information is really charming, and will put any Trekkie (or Trekker) into some form of long-term astronomical hypnosis.”-Astronomy Online“Stunningly illustrated with hundreds of full-color images—artists’ interpretations, images generated by NASA missions, and stills of favorite Star Trek scenes and characters—here is an incomparable voyage toward the final frontier.”-Libraryofscience.net“National Geographic…tackles the topic with its strengths: Great photos, mind-blowing color graphics and strong layout and design.”-Wilmington Star News

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Book SynopsisThe next frontier in space exploration is Mars, the red planet. National Geographic goes years fast-forward to take a peek into the gravity-defying world of outer space with stunning photography, amazing visuals, and strong science. This companion book to the National Geographic Channel series dramatizes the next 25 years as humans land on and learn to live on Mars. Filled with vivid photographs taken on Earth, in space, and on Mars; arresting maps; and commentary from the world’s top planetary scientists, this fascinating book will take you millions of miles away—and decades into the future—to our next home in the solar system.Trade Review"This big, welcoming book—brimming with mind-revving photographs and artists’ conceptions and written with verve and precision by David—provides the foundation on which the scientifically rigorous, speculatively imaginative series was built." —Booklist"What a spectacular and captivating book. The text is expertly written, really engaging, and captures the optimism we all feel." —Pascal Lee, Planetary Scientist, Mars Institute

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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 SynopsisIn this thought-provoking follow-up to his acclaimed StarTalk book, uber astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson tackles the world's most important philosophical questions about the universe with wit, wisdom, and cutting-edge science.  For science geeks, space and physics nerds, and all who want to understand their place in the universe, this enlightening new book from Neil deGrasse Tyson offers a unique take on the mysteries and curiosities of the cosmos, building on rich material from his beloved StarTalk podcast. In these illuminating pages, illustrated with dazzling photos and revealing graphics, Tyson and co-author James Trefil, a renowned physicist and science popularizer, take on the big questions that humanity has been posing for millennia--How did life begin? What is our place in the universe? Are we alone?--and provide answers based on the most current data, observations, and theories. Populated with paradigm-shifting discoveries that help explain the b

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