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42731

Coming of Age in the Milky Way

Popular science writer Ferris presents a history of astronomy for the general reader. Coverage extends from a description of the earth-centered models of the universe developed by early astronomers to... Stephen Hawking's approach to quantum theory. This reprint of a 1988 William Morrow hardcover edition features a new preface by the author and an updated Addendum. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Publishers Weekly The ancient Egyptians regarded the sky as a kind of tent canopy. Thirty centuries later, astronomer William Herschel argued that the sun belongs to a huge cluster of stars (a galaxy, as we call it today) and charted great swaths of intergalactic space through a telescope. How the human species slowly awakened to the vast reaches of space and time is the story absorbingly told by popular science writer Ferris (The Red Limit, Galaxies). His narrative humanizes the scientific enterpriseGalileo emerges here as a careerist, and Johannes Kepler as a self-loathing neurotic. Although it covers well-trod ground, this remarkable synthesis makes broad areas of science accessible to the layperson, from Darwin's and Lyell's investigations of the age of the earth to modern physicists' quest for a perfectly symmetrical, hyperdimensional universe. BOMC alternate. (July)

Author:

Timothy Ferris

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24762

Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe

Thoroughly revised, updated and expanded.The first three editions of NightWatch sold more than 600,000 copies, making it the top-selling stargazing guide in the world for the last 20 years. The key fe...ature of this classic title is the section of star charts that are cherished by backyard astronomers everywhere. Each new edition has outsold the previous one because of thorough revisions and additional new material.NightWatch has been acclaimed as the best general interest introduction to astronomy. The fourth edition has improvements over the 3rd edition in every chapter, including:The famous charts, ideal for stargazers using a small telescope or binocularsA complete update of the equipment section, including computerized telescopesAn enlarged photography section, including how-to instructions for using the new generation of digital cameras for astronomical photography, both with and without a telescopeThe tables of future solar and lunar eclipses, planetary conjunctions and planet locations, updated through 2018.This edition includes for the first time star charts for use in the southern hemisphere. There are also dozens of new photographs throughout the book that show the latest thrilling discoveries made by current space observatories and probes.

Author:

Terence Dickinson

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6544

Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - And How to Find Them

A superb guidebook described in Bookwatch as 'the home astronomer's "bible"', Turn Left at Orion provides all the information beginning amateur astronomers need to observe the Moon, the planets and a ...whole host of celestial objects. Large format diagrams show these objects exactly as they appear in a small telescope and for each object there is information on the current state of our astronomical knowledge. Revised and updated, this new edition contains a chapter with ten new spreads describing spectacular deep sky objects visible from the southern hemisphere, and tips on observing the upcoming transits of Venus. It also discusses Dobsonian telescopes, with hints on using personal computers and the Internet as aids for planning an observing session. Also new to this edition are redrawn "Guidepost" figures at the beginning of each season chapter that allow readers to visualize a three-dimensional view of the sky's dome; redesigned seasonal object layouts that provide more space for the naked-eye charts; a new spread on double stars near Boötes has been added to Spring, replacing the "Shrinking Double" spread; and a unique "When and Where to Look" table has been added to the last page, among other new features. Unlike many guides to the night sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small telescopes. Clear and easy to use, this fascinating book will appeal to skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds. No previous knowledge of astronomy is needed.

Author:

Guy Consolmagno

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86010

The Universe: From Flat Earth to Quasar

No description available

Author:

Isaac Asimov

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49563

Seeing in the Dark: How Amateur Astronomers Are Discovering the Wonders of the Universe

The Author Shares His Own Experiences As An Amateur Astronomer, And Discusses The Discoveries Of Other Backyard Stargazers Around The World Who Are Expanding The Field Of Knowledge With Binoculars, Sm...all Telescopes, And High-tech Imaging Equipment. I. The Shore: From The Observatory Log, A Primate At Dusk ; Beginnings ; Spaceflight ; The Ozone ; Standing Watch, A Visit With Mr. White Man ; Amateurs ; How Much Can You See? A Visit With Stephen James O'meara ; Professionals ; Picturing The Universe, A Visit With Jack Newton ; Rocky Hill ; Farsighted, A Visit With Barbara Wilson -- Ii. Blue Water: The Realm Of The Sun ; Rock Music Of The Spheres, A Talk With Brian May ; The Morning And Evening Star ; Founding Father, A Visit With Patrick Moore ; Moon Dance ; The Telescope And The Tomb, A Visit With Percival Lowell ; Mars ; Light At The Edge Of Darkness, A Visit With James Turrell ; Stones From The Sky ; Comet Trails, A Visit With David Levy ; Vermin Of The Skies ; The Camera's Eye, A Visit With Don Parker ; Jupiter ; Storms On Saturn, A Visit With Stuart Wilber ; The Outer Giants ; From The Observatory Log, Chimes At Midnight -- Iii. The Depths: The Night Sky ; Digital Universe, A Virtual Visit To A Robotic Telescope ; The Milky Way ; Blue Lines, A Visit With John Henry's Ghost ; Galaxies ; Big Science, A Visit With Edgar O. Smith ; The Dark Ages ; From The Observatory Log, Minerva At Dawn -- Appendixes: Observing Techniques ; Notable Periodic Meteor Showers ; Representative Bright Stars ; Messier Objects By Season ; Planets And Their Satellites ; Further Reading ; Star Maps. Timothy Ferris. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 323-340) And Index.

Author:

Timothy Ferris

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107383

Astronomy: Out of This World!

Like a Facebook for the universe, Astronomy gives every important celestial body and concept its own page, where readers can learn its behaviors, likes, and dislikes up close and personal. From the fl...ashy stars to the shadowy and strange objects that hang out like loners at the edges of the universe, no player goes unnoticed. Every profile has a hip anime-style portrait to round out the picture, but make no mistake: while the presentation is all style, the science is rock solid. The book includes a super cute poster of the solar system in the back. The universe has never been so cool.VOYAGreen's book on astronomy seems at first glance more like a Japanese-inspired comic book than a reference book, but its appearance is one of the reasons that it will make a great addition to any library. Color coding and icons guide readers through each chapter. The illustrations are bright and bold, adorning nearly every page. In addition to the great use of color, the illustrations are unique and interesting, featuring characters that will make readers smile. Overall the book is eye catching and vibrant, enabling it to hold the attention of readers at nearly every age level. The text is written in a modern tone that is both playful and educational. Each topic features bulleted items as well as a few conversationally written paragraphs that educate and entertain. With all its glitz, it is important to remember that the book is a reference work, but it does a good job in a package that is both visually appealing and engaging while still communicating information. The only fault might lie in the fact that the entire book is an exercise in personification, both in the drawings and text, as each object studied is a character and the content is often shared from its point of view using first-person narratives. This small infraction can be overlooked, however, because of the selection's ability to give readers that feeling of not wanting to put the book down, a rare treat in nonfiction. Reviewer: Dawn Talbott

Author:

Dan Green

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65410

Cosmos

No description available

Author:

Giles Sparrow

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11963

Asimov on Astronomy

No description available

Author:

Isaac Asimov

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7331

Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide

 

Author:

Dinah L. Moché

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57433

Exploring Creation with Astronomy

No description available

Author:

Jeannie Fulbright

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