Best of
Astronomy

2018

Chasing New Horizons: Inside the Epic First Mission to Pluto


Alan Stern - 2018
    More than 3 billion miles from Earth, a small NASA spacecraft called New Horizons screamed past Pluto at more than 32,000 miles per hour, focusing its instruments on the long mysterious icy worlds of the Pluto system, and then, just as quickly, continued on its journey out into the beyond.Nothing like this has occurred in a generation--a raw exploration of new worlds unparalleled since NASA's Voyager missions to Uranus and Neptune--and nothing like it is planned to happen ever again. The photos that New Horizons sent back to Earth graced the front pages of newspapers on all 7 continents, and NASA's website for the mission received more than 2 billion hits in the days surrounding the flyby. At a time when so many think our most historic achievements are in the past, the most distant planetary exploration ever attempted not only succeeded but made history and captured the world's imagination.How did this happen? Chasing New Horizons is the story of the men and women behind the mission: of their decades-long commitment; of the political fights within and outside of NASA; of the sheer human ingenuity it took to design, build, and fly the mission; and of the plans for New Horizons' next encounter, 1 billion miles past Pluto. Told from the insider's perspective of Dr. Alan Stern--the man who led the mission--Chasing New Horizons is a riveting story of scientific discovery, and of how far humanity can go when people focused on a dream work together toward their incredible goal.

Planetarium


Raman Prinja - 2018
    Step inside the pages of this beautiful book to discover galleries of galactic matter, expertly curated to bring you the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the comfort of your own home. Planetarium features all aspects of space, from the Sun and our Solar System, to the lives of stars, the Milky Way and the Universe beyond. With stunning artwork from Chris Wormell and informative text by Professor Raman Prinja, Planetarium is the perfect gift for anyone with an interest in this fascinating field.

So You Want to Be an Astronaut


Alyssa Carson - 2018
    A realistic guide to becoming an Astronaut at a young age.

The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future


Roger D. Launius - 2018
    Former NASA and Smithsonian space curator and historian Roger D. Launius presents human's endeavors to understand the universe, honoring millennia of human curiosity, ingenuity, and achievement.The book examines space exploration's origins in the pioneering work undertaken by the ancients of Greece, Rome, and China, and moves through the great discoveries of Renaissance thinkers including Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler. It offers new insight into well-known moments such as the launch of Sputnik 1 and the Apollo Moon landing and explores the unexpected events and hidden figures of space history.Presenting the technological and mechanical breakthroughs enabling humans to explore far beyond our own planet in recent decades, it also speculates on the future of space exploration, including space tourism and our possible future as an extraterrestrial species. This is a must-read for space buffs and everyone intrigued by the history and future of scientific discovery.

Einstein's Monsters: The Life and Times of Black Holes


Chris Impey - 2018
    Every massive star leaves behind a black hole when it dies, and every galaxy harbors a supermassive black hole at its center. Frighteningly enigmatic, these dark giants continue to astound even the scientists who spend their careers studying them. Which came first, the galaxy or its central black hole? What happens if you travel into one—instant death or something weirder? And, perhaps most important, how can we ever know anything for sure about black holes when they destroy information by their very nature?In Einstein’s Monsters, distinguished astronomer Chris Impey takes readers on an exploration of these and other questions at the cutting edge of astrophysics, as well as the history of black holes’ role in theoretical physics—from confirming Einstein’s equations for general relativity to testing string theory. He blends this history with a poignant account of the phenomena scientists have witnessed while observing black holes: stars swarming like bees around the center of our galaxy; black holes performing gravitational waltzes with visible stars; the cymbal clash of two black holes colliding, releasing ripples in space-time.Clear, compelling, and profound, Einstein’s Monsters reveals how our comprehension of black holes is intrinsically linked to how we make sense of the universe and our place within it. From the small questions to the big ones—from the tiniest particles to the nature of space-time itself—black holes might be the key to a deeper understanding of the cosmos.

Astronomy: A Visual Guide


Ian Ridpath - 2018
    Find out about astronomical phenomena and take a visual tour of the Solar System, complete with stunning photography of the planets. This easy-to-follow book also makes use of clear graphics and annotations to explain the science behind the wonders of the sky.A definitive month-by-month guide to the night sky, with profiles of all 88 constellations, over 100 star charts, and an almanac of astronomical events over the next decade, will help you to navigate your way around the night sky, and locate stars, galaxies, and other objects.Featuring no-nonsense advice on how to observe the skies using the naked eye, binoculars, and telescopes, Astronomy is the perfect guide for keen amateur astronomers, as well as a great reference book for the whole family.

The Beginning and the End of Everything: From the Big Bang to the End of the Universe


Paul Parsons - 2018
    Authoritative and engaging, Paul Parsons takes us on a rollercoaster ride through billions of light years to tell the story of the Big Bang, from birth to death.13.8 billion years ago, something incredible happened. Matter, energy, space and time all suddenly burst into existence in a cataclysmic event that’s come to be known as the Big Bang. It was the birth of our universe. What started life smaller than the tiniest subatomic particle is now unimaginably vast and plays home to trillions of galaxies. The formulation of the Big Bang theory is a story that combines some of the most far-reaching concepts in fundamental physics with equally profound observations of the cosmos.From our realization that we are on a planet orbiting a star in one of many galaxies, to the discovery that our universe is expanding, to the groundbreaking theories of Einstein that laid the groundwork for the Big Bang cosmology of today – as each new discovery deepens our understanding of the origins of our universe, a clearer picture is forming of how it will all end. Will we ultimately burn out or fade away? Could the end simply signal a new beginning, as the universe rebounds into a fresh expanding phase? And was our Big Bang just one of many, making our cosmos only a small part of a sprawling multiverse of parallel universes?

The Physics of Einstein: Black holes, time travel, distant starlight, E=mc2


Jason Lisle - 2018
    In this easy-to-read book, we learn how Einstein was able to deduce what happens when an object approaches the speed of light. The results are as amazing as they are strange. Designed for readers with no background in physics, this book explores one of the strangest and most fascinating branches of science.

Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society: An Overview


National Research Council - 2018
    That strategy, the result of nearly 2 years of effort by the survey committee, which worked with more than 100 scientists and engineers on eight supporting study panels, is presented in the 2013 publication, Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society. This booklet, designed to be accessible to a broader audience of policymakers and the interested public, summarizes the content of that report.

Gravitational Waves: How Einstein’s Spacetime Ripples Reveal the Secrets of the Universe


Brian Clegg - 2018
    But gravitational waves – ripples in the fabric of space and time – are unrelenting, passing through barriers that stop light dead.At the two 4-kilometre long LIGO observatories in the US, scientists developed incredibly sensitive detectors, capable of spotting a movement 100 times smaller than the nucleus of an atom. In 2015 they spotted the ripples produced by two black holes spiralling into each other, setting spacetime quivering.This was the first time black holes had ever been directly detected – and it promises far more for the future of astronomy. Brian Clegg presents a compelling story of human technical endeavour and a new, powerful path to understand the workings of the universe.Brian Clegg’s most recent books are The Reality Frame (Icon, 2017), What Colour is the Sun? (Icon, 2016) and Ten Billion Tomorrows (St Martin’s Press, 2016). His Dice World and A Brief History of Infinity were both longlisted for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books. He has also written Big Data for the Hot Science series. Brian has written for numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, Nature, BBC Focus, Physics World, The Times and The Observer. Brian is editor of popularscience.co.uk and blogs at brianclegg.blogspot.com.

The Astronaut Selection Test Book: Do You Have What it Takes for Space?


Tim Peake - 2018
    Featuring 100 real astronaut tests and exercises from the European Space Agency’s rigorous selection process, ranging from easy to fiendishly hard, The Astronaut Selection Test Book goes where no puzzle book has gone before. Including puzzles and tests on: · visual perception and logic· mental arithmetic and concentration· psychological readiness· teamwork and leadership· survival, physical and medical skills· foreign languages (every astronaut has to know Russian!)and much more, this richly illustrated book draws on Tim Peake's first-hand experience of applying to be an astronaut in 2008, when he and five others were chosen – out of over 8,000 applications!We’ve all dreamed of being an astronaut, though of the estimated 100 billion people who have ever lived, only 557 people have travelled to space. But with this unprecedented look into real astronaut selection, you might just find out your dreams can become reality…_________________________HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM SOLVER...Tim Peake and the ESA will receive no royalties from this book; instead, they will be donated to the Prince's Trust charity._________________________‘Engrossing... a brain buster of a book... You’ll learn plenty about space and what it takes to be an astronaut, but you’ll also sharpen up your broader knowledge. For anyone interested in the space race and the imminent journey to Mars, here’s the perfect stocking filler.’ – STARBURST‘It’s a brain work-out on steroids, stuffed with authentic selection tests… Entertaining and engaging… innovative, earnest, soulful and exhilarating’ – BBC SKY AT NIGHT MAGAZINE (5 STARS, Book of the Month)‘It’s such a good idea… this is a very good thing for Christmas Day’ – GRAHAM NORTON, BBC RADIO 2‘Everybody, get this book… it’s a fascinating read’ – CHRIS MOYLES, RADIO X‘A fantastic gift… more than just a quiz’ – WI LIFE‘The perfect [book] for big thinkers’ – BBC ARTS, 2018’s Biggest Books

Astronomy for Kids: How to Explore Outer Space with Binoculars, a Telescope, or Just Your Eyes!


Bruce Betts - 2018
    Dr. Betts shows you how to become an astronomer—an observer of the stars. With this book, you can know the cosmos and your place within it. Read on, walk out, and look up!”—Bill Nye, science educator, author, and CEO of The Planetary SocietyOne of the coolest things about outer space is that anyone can explore it. All you have to do is go outside and look up! Using plain sight, binoculars, or a small telescope, Astronomy for Kids shows stargazers how easy it is to explore space, just by stepping outside.With this book as their guide to the northern hemisphere, kids will learn to find and name amazing objects in the night sky. Fully illustrated with fun facts throughout, kids can point out sights to friends and family, saying things like, “that’s Jupiter,” and, “those stars are the constellation Cygnus the Swan,” and maybe even, “that group of stars doesn’t have a name but I think it looks like my dog getting belly rubs.”From the Milky Way Galaxy to Mars to the Moon’s craters and mountains—Astronomy for Kids helps young astronomers discover important parts of our solar system, with: 30 sights for the naked eye (yes, 30!) objects to see without any equipment, including Orion’s Belt, the Big Dipper, Mars, and even the International Space Station. 25 sights magnified with binoculars or a basic telescope to make objects in the sky easier to find and explore. Plus, buying tips and usage tricks to get the most out of astronomy equipment. Clear illustrations that show kids where to look and what they can expect to see. Like all big things, outer space is something you have to see to believe. Astronomy for Kids teaches kids that planets, shooting stars, constellations, and meteor showers are not only in books—but right above them.

The Know-Nonsense Guide to Space: An awesomely fun guide to the universe


Heidi Fiedler - 2018
    The Know-Nonsense Guide to Space tackles the key concepts you need to know about solar system, galaxy, and beyond. Whether you're curious about Neptune or want to know more about telescopes, this book helps you navigate the space between the stars. Learn about the planets, discover what's in a black hole, and find out where astronauts want to go next. Sound like nonsense? Fear not! With language that's easy for kids to understand, you start close to home by learning about the different planets in our solar system, all the way from Mercury to Neptune (and even dwarf planet Pluto!). Then reach out further and discover about the Milky Way Galaxy and other neighboring galaxies (and what is in them). On the journey through space, learn terms such as asteroid belt, nebula, and supernova. By the end of this book, you have a clear understanding of the difference between a comet and an asteroid, understand why Pluto isn't a planet, and learn what makes the Milky Way so milky. Stargazing might feel a little different once you've read The Know-Nonsense Guide to Space.The Know-Nonsense Guide to Space turns what can at times a dry topic into something approachable and fun, entertaining kids and adults alike. Full of quirky and hilarious illustrations, this book will have you laughing while learning and becoming a total know-it-all!

Tipiskawi Kisik: Night Sky Star Stories


Wilfred Buck - 2018
    Author and Cree Knowledge Keeper, Wilfred Buck from the Opaskwayay Cree Nation, works for Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre as a science facilitator and educator. The eight traditional stories included in this 25-page book offer students and teachers oral accounts and perspectives about Cree stars and constellations. The stories include: Atima Atchakosuk: the dog stars; Niska: the goose; Makinak: the turtle; Sisikwun: the rattle; Achakos Ininewuk: the star people; Mista Muska: the great bear; Kiwitin: going home star; and Matootisan: the sweat lodge. The constellations assisted Cree traders in their journeys to other Indigenous Nations across the Americas. The Turtle story explains the lunar cycle and the people’s connection to water and earth. These Swampy Cree accounts of the importance of the stars demonstrate the sophistication of Cree astronomers and how they understood the environment and the science of the night sky. Ideal for elementary and secondary students in Environmental Studies, Science, and spiritual traditions.

What Shape Is Space?


Giles Sparrow - 2018
    The concepts involved may be sophisticated, but Giles Sparrow’s effortless prose style renders them understandable, allowing readers to come to grips with the overarching debates at the cutting edge of cosmology today. Illustrations, diagrams, and astronomical visualizations demonstrate and clarify the various astonishing implications of a universe of infinite space.This entry in the “Big Idea” series explores four key topics: “Mapping Space,” featuring the evidence that favors the expanding and infinite universe theory; “The Expanding Universe,” which examines the rate at which the cosmos is expanding; “The Omega Factor,” which explores the possibilities for different types of hypothetically infinite universes; and “The Shape of the Multiverse,” which analyzes the effect of each possible shape on the likely future of the universe.Well-informed and lucid, What Shape Is Space? is an in-depth and approachable exploration of the ideas and possibilities born from this seemingly simple question.

Five Photons: Remarkable Journeys of Light Across Space and Time


James Geach - 2018
    They are tales of quantum physics and general relativity, stars and black holes, dark matter and dark energy. Let yourself be swept away on a journey of discovery towards a deeper understanding of the cosmos.

Above and Beyond: NASA's Journey to Tomorrow


Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich - 2018
    NASA rises to the urgent challenges we face, using its massive reach and expertise to find answers to vital questions like: How can we learn to live in a more extreme natural environment?Inspired by Rory Kennedy’s documentary of the same name (airing 10/2018), Above and Beyond aims to leave audiences hopeful and inspired about the future of our planet—and convinced that NASA is essential to our continued survival as we mark its important anniversaries and dream of new discoveries to come.

Astronomy Photographer of the Year: Collection 7: Celebrating 10 years of the world’s best photography


Royal Observatory, Greenwich - 2018
    Marvel at the wonders of the universe captured by the most talented astrophotographers. A perfect gift for all interested in exploring the mysteries of our solar system and beyond.Be captivated by more than 100 winning and shortlisted images from the 2018 Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, hosted by the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. These awe-inspiring images are submitted in several categories, aurorae, skyscapes, the sun and moon, planets, comets and asteroids, stars and nebulae and galaxies. Each image is accompanied by caption, photographer, location and technical details.ExhibitionThe National Maritime Museum hosts an exhibition of the winners of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, showcasing these incredible images of the sky.www.rmg.co.uk/astrophoto

The Space Book Revised and Updated: From the Beginning to the End of Time, 250 Milestones in the History of Space Astronomy


Jim Bell - 2018
      Since the original edition of The Space Book was published in 2013, much has happened in the world of space exploration. This revised and updated edition, with a new introduction from author Jim Bell, brings the popular Milestones book up to date. It includes the most exciting and newsworthy breakthroughs, from the groundbreaking discovery of the Trappist-1 system to the technologies of the future. Take a full-color, chronological tour of the cosmos through completely new entries and spectacular images that cover developments in radio astronomy, NASA’s mission to Jupiter, the new Earth-like exoplanets, the world’s first interstellar solar sail mission, and more. Many existing entries have been updated with the results of completed and current missions, as well as illuminating recent photography.

Journey to Constellation Station


Lindsay C. Barry - 2018
    Hop off the train to gaze through a unique telescope of stars. Stare down Leo the Lion, meet Orion the Hunter, see Pegasus spread his wings, and more!

Mars: Your Personal 3D Journey to the Red Planet


Antonio Paris - 2018
    Our rovers and spacecraft have served as an extension of the human eye, enabling us to explore a far distant world, where no human being has yet walked. Although most of us will never visit Mars, consider this book as your personal journey to the Red Planet. About the Author: Antonio Paris is the Chief Scientist at the Center for Planetary Science, an Adjunct Professor of Astronomy at St. Petersburg College, FL and a graduate of the NASA Mars Education Program at the Mars Space Flight Center, Arizona State University. Additionally, he is a member of the American Astronomical Society and the Washington Academy of Sciences. Book is autographed and 3D glasses included!

Dispatches from Planet 3: Thirty-Two (Brief) Tales on the Solar System, the Milky Way, and Beyond


Marcia Bartusiak - 2018
    In thirty-two concise and engrossing essays, the author provides a deeper understanding of the nature of the universe and those who strive to uncover its mysteries.   Bartusiak shares the back stories for many momentous astronomical discoveries, including the contributions of such pioneers as Beatrice Tinsley, with her groundbreaking research in galactic evolution, and Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the scientist who first discovered radio pulsars. An endlessly fascinating collection that you can dip into in any order, these pieces will transport you to ancient Mars, when water flowed freely across its surface; to the collision of two black holes, a cosmological event that released fifty times more energy than was radiating from every star in the universe; and to the beginning of time itself.

2019 Stargazing: Month-by-Month Guide to the Night Sky


Heather Couper - 2018
    Compiled by experts and specially designed for use in Britain and Ireland, Stargazing 2021 acts as a handily illustrated and comprehensive companion.– 12 Brand-New Maps for year-round astronomical discovery– Month-to-Month informationDaily Moon Phase Calendar, highlighting special lunar events throughout the year– Planet Watch for ideal viewing days in 2021– Avoid light pollution with our detailed Dark Sky Map– Expert advice and insight throughout from internationally renowned Professors Couper and Henbest– Using Binoculars – Stargazing recommendations from expert Robin Scagell– Perfect for home use during lockdown– Complete calendar of major astronomical events, including the Top 20 Sky Sights of 2021– Jargon Buster, explaining common or confusing terms– The planets’ movements explained from solar and lunar eclipses to meteor showers and comets

The Life and Death of Stars


Keivan G. Stassun - 2018
    

Calendrical Calculations


Edward M Reingold - 2018
    The book now includes coverage of Unix dates, Italian time, the Akan, Icelandic, Saudi Arabian Umm al-Qura, and Babylonian calendars. There are also expanded treatments of the observational Islamic and Hebrew calendars and brief discussions of the Samaritan and Nepalese calendars. Several of the astronomical functions have been rewritten to produce more accurate results and to include calculations of moonrise and moonset. The authors frame the calendars of the world in a completely algorithmic form, allowing easy conversion among these calendars and the determination of secular and religious holidays. LISP code for all the algorithms is available in machine-readable form.

Inside PixInsight (The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series)


Warren A. Keller - 2018
    As the first comprehensive postprocessing platform to be created by astro-imagers for astro-imagers, it has for many replaced other generic graphics editors as the software of choice. PixInsight has been embraced by professionals such as the James Webb (and Hubble) Space Telescope's science imager Joseph DePasquale and Calar Alto's Vicent Peris, as well as thousands of amateurs around the world. While PixInsight is extremely powerful, very little has been printed on the subject. The first edition of this book broke that mold, offering a comprehensive look into the software’s capabilities. This second edition expands on the several new processes added to the PixInsight platform since that time, detailing and demonstrating each one with a now-expanded workflow. Addressing topics such as PhotometricColorCalibration, Large-Scale Pixel Rejection, LocalNormalization and a host of other functions, this text remains the authoritative guide to PixInsight.

On the Edge of Infinity: Encounters with the Beauty of the Universe


Stefan Klein - 2018
    Award-winning, bestselling German science author Stefan Klein transforms a simple object or everyday event - such as rose blossom, or a day of stormy weather!Learn to understand the most complex ideas and theories in 21st-century physics.Through lyrical storytelling, Klein renders the complexities and intricacies of physics accessible to a reader with no previous knowledge of the subject.In doing so, he demonstrates that scientific progress is as much, if not more, about the unanswered questions, the dark corners, as it is about what we have discovered; our knowledge constitutes merely 'an island in an ocean of ignorance'.On the Edge of Infinity is a thought-provoking and unique exploration of the most intriguing scientific theories and ideas, designed to be accessible to anyone who has ever been curious about the scientific wonders of our universe.

Nuclear Physics Explained (Great Courses)


Lawrence Weinstein - 2018
    Great Courses series on Nuclear Physics, Covers Strong and Weak Nuclear Forces, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma decay, Valley of Stability for Isotopes, Forces and Factors that explain stability and instability in the nucleus of an atom, the physics of nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants, Stellar nucleosynthesis, nuclear medicine, and radioactive dating techniques.

Fun-Schooling Science Handbook - All About SPACE: Explore the Universe! Research, Create, Play, Experiment & Learn


Sarah Janisse Brown - 2018
    

Comets, Cosmology and the Big Bang: A history of astronomy from Edmond Halley to Edwin Hubble


Allan Chapman - 2018
    He covers the big names - Halley, Hooke, Herschel, Hubble and Hoyle; and includes the women who pushed astronomy forward, from Caroline Herschel to the Victorian women astronomers. He includes the big discoveries and the huge ideas, from the Milky War, to the Big Bang, the mighty atom, and the question of life on other planets. And he brings in the contributions made in the US, culminating in their race with the USSR to get a man on the moon, before turning to the explosion of interest in astronomy that was pioneered by Sir Patrick Moore and The Sky at Night.

30-Second Astronomy: The 50 most mindblowing discoveries in astronomy, each explained in half a minute


François Fressin - 2018
    

Discovering Pluto: Exploration at the Edge of the Solar System


Dale P. Cruikshank - 2018
    Co-author Dale P. Cruikshank was a co-investigator on the New Horizons mission, while co-author William Sheehan is a noted historian of the Solar System. Telling the tale of Pluto’s discovery, the authors recount the grand story of our unfolding knowledge of the outer Solar System, from William Herschel’s serendipitous discovery of Uranus in 1781, to the mathematical prediction of Neptune’s existence, to Percival Lowell’s studies of the wayward motions of those giant planets leading to his prediction of another world farther out. Lowell’s efforts led to Clyde Tombaugh’s heroic search and discovery of Pluto—then a mere speck in the telescope—at Lowell Observatory in 1930. Pluto was finally recognized as the premier body in the Kuiper Belt, the so-called third zone of our Solar System. The first zone contains the terrestrial planets (Mercury through Mars) and the asteroid belt; the second, the gas-giant planets Jupiter through Neptune. The third zone, holding Pluto and the rest of the Kuiper Belt, is the largest and most populous region of the solar system. Now well beyond Pluto, New Horizons will continue to wend its lonely way through the galaxy, but it is still transmitting data, even today. Its ultimate legacy may be to inspire future generations to uncover more secrets of Pluto, the Solar System, and the Universe.

Interplanetary Robots: True Stories of Space Exploration


Rod Pyle - 2018
    This insider's perspective examines incredible missions of robotic spacecraft to every corner of our solar system and beyond. Some were flown into glory, while others were planned and relegated to dusty filing cabinets. All were remarkable in their aspirations.Award-winning science writer Rod Pyle profiles both the remarkable spacecraft and the amazing scientists and engineers who made them possible. From the earliest sprints past Venus and Mars to Voyager1's current explorations of the space between the stars, this exciting book sheds new light on ever-more ambitious journeys designed to increase the human reach into the solar system. Drawing on his perspective as a writer for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, ground zero for NASA's planetary exploration, the author further details plans now in development to look for signs of life on Jupiter's moon Europa, submarines that will dive into the hazy hydrocarbon lakes of Saturn's moon Titan, and intelligent spacecraft that will operate for months without human intervention on Mars and in the outer solar system well into the 2030s. Equally compelling are programs of exploration that were considered but never left the drawing board, such as automobile-sized biology laboratories designed for a Mars landing in the 1960s and plans to detonate atomic bombs on the moon.Complemented by many rarely-seen photos and illustrations, these stories of incredible engineering achievements, daring imaginations, and technological genius will fascinate and inspire.

Further Adventures of the Celestial Sleuth: Using Astronomy to Solve More Mysteries in Art, History, and Literature (Popular Astronomy)


Donald W. Olson - 2018
    In addition to helping to crack difficult cases, these studies spark our imagination and provide a better understanding of the skies. Weather archives, vintage maps, tides, historical letters and diaries, military records and the assistance of experts in related fields help with this work.For each historical event influenced by astronomy, there is a different kind of mystery to be solved. How did the changing tides affect an army's battle plans? How did the phases of the moon affect how an artist painted a landscape? Follow these exciting investigations with a master “celestial sleuth” as he tracks down the truth and helps unravel mysteries as far back as the Middle Ages and as recent as the iconic 1945 photograph of a kiss in Times Square on VJ Day. Topics or 'cases' pursued were chosen for their wide public recognition and intrigue and involve artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet; historical events such as the campaigns of Braveheart in Scotland and battles in World War II and the Korean War; and literary authors such as Chaucer, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Byron, and Edgar Allan Poe.

Mercury: The View After Messenger


Sean C. Solomon - 2018
    This volume is the definitive resource about Mercury for planetary scientists, from students to senior researchers. Topics treated in depth include Mercury's chemical composition; the structure of its crust, lithosphere, mantle, and core; Mercury's modern and ancient magnetic field; Mercury's geology, including the planet's major geological units and their surface chemistry and mineralogy, its spectral reflectance characteristics, its craters and cratering history, its tectonic features and deformational history, its volcanic features and magmatic history, its distinctive hollows, and the frozen ices in its polar deposits; Mercury's exosphere and magnetosphere and the processes that govern their dynamics and their interaction with the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field; the formation and large-scale evolution of the planet; and current plans and needed capabilities to explore Mercury further in the future.

Astrotheology: Science and Theology Meet Extraterrestrial Life


Ted Peters - 2018
    It takes a scientist to explain what we are looking at. It takes a theologian to understand who is doing the looking. This book's scientific authors update readers on astrobiology's search for extraterrestrial life. Theologians add to the science a theological analysis of the place of space in understanding God's creative work, the prospects of sharing God's creation with extraterrestrial neighbors, and the question of whether one or many incarnations are required for cosmic redemption. Finally, these scholars lay the foundations for an ethic of space exploration. This book introduces a comprehensive astrotheology with an accompanying astroethic. "In this fascinating book, the authors not only update readers on contemporary cosmology and astrobiology's search for extraterrestrial life, but also develop the kind of public, interdisciplinary theology where both theology and the sciences are reshaped to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of what will be at stake for these widely divergent disciplines once extraterrestrial life is discovered." --J. Wentzel van Huyssteen, Princeton Theological Seminary "This book is a treat for those who tire of treatments of astrobiology that focus only on the science and the technology of the subject. The very likely existence of intelligence and sentience elsewhere in the universe begs questions that center on philosophy and religion. This scholarly and entertaining treatment of these issues is very welcome." --Chris Impey, University of Arizona "Here is a much needed book by leading thinkers in the field--deeply grounded in Christian theology and sensitive to the scientific complexities." --David Wilkerson, St. John's College Theologians and scientists at the Francisco J. Ayala Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS) at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California, have edited this comprehensive volume.   Editor-in-chief Ted Peters teaches systematic theology and ethics at the GTU. Partner editors include Robert John Russell, Ian G. Barbour Professor of Theology and Science at the GTU; Joshua Moritz, managing editor of the journal Theology and Science on behalf of CTNS; and Martinez Hewlett, Professor Emeritus of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona and adjunct professor at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at the GTU.

An Introduction to the Solar System


David A. Rothery - 2018
    This undergraduate-level textbook presents fascinating descriptions and colour images of the bodies in the Solar System, the processes that occur upon and within them, and their origins and evolution. It highlights important concepts and techniques in boxed summaries, while questions and exercises are embedded at appropriate points throughout the text, with full solutions provided. Written and edited by a team of practising planetary scientists, this third edition has been updated to reflect our current knowledge. It is ideal for introductory courses on the subject, and is suitable for self-study. The text is supported by online resources, hosted at www.cambridge.org/solarsystem3, which include selected figures from the book, self-assessment questions and sample tutor assignments, with outlines of suggested answers.

Plutarch on the Face Which Appears on the Orb of the Moon


Plutarch - 2018
    Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The Universe Explained: A Cosmic Q and A


Heather Couper - 2018
    In this book they explain the scientific answers to these questions with expertise and a healthy dose of humor. Below are just a few of the 185 questions they answer:What would happen to an astronaut exposed to space? Can people live on Mars? Can an amateur astronomer make useful discoveries? Why do we have leap years and leap seconds? What are the most extreme conditions life can survive? Is there an edge to the Universe? What happens inside a black hole? Is Pluto a planet?The Universe Explained answers questions about space travel; telescopes; the solar system; comets, asteroids and meteors; stars; black holes; the Milky Way and other galaxies; the big bang and space and time. As well, Couper and Henbest explore the possibility of life beyond our planet with up-to-date space discoveries and debunk persistent myths and legends.The Universe Explained is a fun and informative book for anyone curious about astronomy.

Celestial Navigation: A Practical Guide to Knowing Where You Are


David Berson - 2018
    No other books do that.Celestial navigation, in all its forms, is nearly as old as mankind. Anyone who can master its intricacies stands at the end of a long line of master navigators that is centuries old—an expert among many who would be lost with electronics. David Berson, a columnist for Ocean Navigator magazine and an instructor at both the Ocean Navigator School of Seamanship and onboard the training schooner Ocean Star, offers here an approach that is refreshing, unique, and sure to attract a new generation of readers looking to demystify this essential art for sailors.Through his hands-on coursework Berson has developed a practical and learnable method of teaching that has appealed to a new generation of students. He will share his proven method here for the first time. In Celestial Navigation, as he does in his popular column and classes, Berson simplifies the math that so often frightens and deters potential students. Chapters include:The Concept of the Celestial SphereBack to the AlmanacLocal Hour AngleAssumed PositionThe Sextant: The Perfect Tool for the JobMore on Sight ReductionThe Noon SightFormula for Noon SightDefinitionsAnd more!Berson takes the same approach with his writing that he does with his classes and columns, informal true-life anecdotes that entertain as well as educate. To Berson, celestial navigation is personal and valuable. Anyone reading this book will catch his contagious enthusiasm.“And when learning celestial navigation, you do not have to be a mathematician or an astronomer, and yet you will feel confident that you will reach your destination when you are on that open ocean voyage. Once started there are many refinements that may be added, if you wish, but with the basics David has presented in this volume, you will enjoy the satisfaction it gives when you launch your vessel from the dock and go to sea with confidence (and it also will supply a great subject for small talk at cocktail parties).”—Captain Eben Whitcomb

100 Things to See in the Southern Night Sky: From Planets and Satellites to Meteors and Constellations, Your Guide to Stargazing


Dean Regas - 2018
    100 Things to See in the Southern Night Sky lets you know what you can expect to see on any given night, whether you’re using a small telescope, or just your naked eye. 100 Things to See in the Southern Night Sky—especially for those south of the equator—includes background information on the makeup, appearance, and history of each celestial object, along with easy-to-follow instructions on the best way to catch a glimpse of these cosmic glories. With this helpful guide you’ll have the world on a string—or more precisely, the sky in your hands.