Focusing on the phenomenon of supernovae, this revised 1985 edition delves into the historical context of ancient astronomy. It explores the significance of these cosmic events and their impact on our understanding of the universe, blending scientific insights with the cultural interpretations of early astronomers. The narrative captures the wonder and mystery surrounding supernovae, highlighting their role in both historical and modern astronomical studies.
Exploring the vast timeline of the Universe, this book narrates its evolution from the initial moments of the Big Bang to contemporary times and beyond. It presents a compelling narrative that captures the complexities and wonders of cosmic development, making intricate scientific concepts accessible and engaging for readers.
Recent advances in space exploration imaging have allowed us to now have
landscapes never before possible, and this book collects some of the greatest
views and vistas of Mars, Venus's Titan, Io and more in their full glory, with
background information to put into context the foreign landforms of our Solar
System.
To establish the Paris Meridian, the scientists endured hardship, survived danger and gloried in amazing adventures during a time of turmoil in Europe, the French Revolution and the Napoleonic War between France and Spain.
This book relates the history of asteroid discoveries and christenings, from those of the early pioneering giants of Hersehel and Piazzi to modern-day amateurs. Moving from history and anecdotal information to science, the book's structure is provided by the names of the asteroids, including one named after the author. Free from a need to conform to scientific naming conventions, the names evidence hero-worship, sycophancy, avarice, vanity, whimsy, erudition and wit, revealing the human side of astronomers, especially where controversy has followed the christening. Murdin draws from extensive historical records to explore the debate over these names. Each age reveals its own biases and preferences in the naming process. < Originally regarded as “vermin of the skies,” asteroids are minor planets, rocky scraps left over from the formation of the larger planets, or broken fragments of worlds that have collided. Their scientific classification as “minor” planets makes them seem unimportant, but over the past decades asteroids have been acknowledged to be key players in the Solar System. This view of their starring role even alters the trajectories of spacecraft: NASA’s policy for new space missions en route to the outer planets is that they must divert to study passing asteroids whenever possible. This book provides for readers a complete tour of the fascinating world of asteroids.
We have the impression that the solar system is perfectly regular like a clock, or a planetarium instrument. On a short timescale it is. But, seen in a longer perspective, the planets, and their satellites, have exciting lives, full of events - for example, did you know that Saturn's moon, Titan, boasts lakes which contain liquid methane surrounded by soaring hills and valleys, exactly as the earth did before life evolved on our fragile planet? Or that Mercury is the shyest planet? Or, that Mars' biggest volcano is 100 times the size of Earth's, or that its biggest canyon is 10 times the depth of the Grand Canyon, or that it wasn't always red, but blue? The culmination of a lifetime of astronomy and wonder, Paul Murdin's enchanting new book reveals everything you ever wanted to know about the planets, their satellites, and our place in the solar system
An insider's guide to astronomy provides comprehensive insights into the planets, their moons, and humanity's position within the solar system. It covers essential information and intriguing details about celestial bodies, making it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding our cosmic neighborhood.
Could there be, elsewhere, life as advanced as here on Earth, or are we more
likely to find much more primitive life forms, or even no life at all? Can
science tell us whether there is something out there? This book applies the
scientific discoveries and theories to enquire whether life exists on other
planets and, if so, what forms it might take.
Tells the story of man's quest through the ages to unlock the secrets of our
universe and understand where we come from and where we are going. Illustrated
with both historic images and satellite photography, this book follows the
journey for knowledge from the first musings of Stone Age people to the
position of the stars and planets in the sky.
