Light Astronomy

Light of the Stars is science at the grandest of scales, and it tells a radically new story about what we are: one world in a universe awash in planets. Building on his widely discussed scientific papers and New York Times op-eds, astrophysicist Adam Frank shows that not only is it likely that alien civilizations have existed many times before, but also that many of them have driven their own worlds into dangerous eras of change.

Light is the most important part of our lives. Louise Riofrio, while working as a Scientist at NASA, made the biggest discovery of the century--the Speed of Light is changing. Starting when a child's eyes first open she describes how we learn about the world through light in our first few months of life, then how we discovered that Earth is round, and how we found we are part of a solar system and a galaxy. The Speed of Light takes you around the world from the Mediterranean to Hawaii in 100 illustrations showing where discoveries were made. This new edition shows how the size of the ...

Scientists tell us that ninety-six percent of the universe is unexplained dark matter and dark energy. Also, they admit that no unifying “theory of everything” exists in physics. This shaky foundation is the basis of modern thinking about the cosmos and Earth’s place in it. Something big seems to be missing. Thus, we’re left with no choice but to question the “consensus” cosmological model. Are we really flying through space on a spinning ball within an expanding universe, while free-falling around the Sun—all as a consequence of a “Big Bang” that supposedly occurred 13.8 billion years ago?

From the big bang to black holes, this fast-paced tour of time and space for the astro-curious unlocks the science of the stars to reveal fascinating theories, surprising discoveries, and ongoing mysteries in modern astronomy and astrophysics. Before the big bang, time, space, and matter didn't...

Astronomers have successfully observed a great deal of the universe’s history, from recording the afterglow of the big bang to imaging thousands of galaxies, and even to visualising an actual black hole. There’s a lot for astronomers to be smug about. But when it comes to understanding how the universe began and grew up, we are literally in the dark ages. In effect, we are missing the first one billion years from the timeline of the universe.

LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE WINNER An MIT astrophysicist reinvents herself in the wake of tragedy and discovers the power of connection on this planet, even as she searches our galaxy for another Earth, in this “bewitching” (Anthony Doerr, The New York Times Book Review) memoir...

The International Bestseller On April 10, 2019, award-winning astrophysicist Heino Falcke presented the first image ever captured of a black hole at an international press conference—a turning point in astronomy that Science magazine called the scientific breakthrough of the year. That photo...

"Literate, big-brained SF that tells a whale of a tale." —Kirkus Reviews For marine biologist Soledad, it starts with the mass stranding and ghastly death of a thousand sperm whales. Working for the Cetacean Translation Institute—CETI—to understand whale communication, she uncovers increasingly bizarre and disturbing behavior among the deep-sea leviathans to which she has dedicated her life. For astronomer and former astronaut Jack Dash, it began with an accident on a spacewalk thirty years ago and is rekindled by a disappearing star. Working for the search for extraterrestrial ...

This “accessible and always entertaining” (Booklist) combination of history, pop science, and in-depth reporting offers a fascinating account of the asteroids that hit Earth long ago and those streaming toward us now, as well as how prepared we are against asteroid-caused catastrophe. One of...

A deeply panoramic tour of the night, from its brightest spots to the darkest skies we have left. A starry night is one of nature's most magical wonders. Yet in our artificially lit world, three-quarters of Americans' eyes never switch to night vision and most of us no longer experience true darkness. In The End of Night, Paul Bogard restores our awareness of the spectacularly primal, wildly dark night sky and how it has influenced the human experience across everything from science to art.

Uni the Unicorn looks up at the nighttime sky and notices the moon looks different tonight. Why is it a little slice? This warm toddler story explains moon phases in the simplest way: the moon isn’t changing shape, we just see different parts lit by the sun. Perfect for ages 2–4, this soft, no-illustration story helps children imagine the moon playing peekaboo with the light.

Learn about the incomparable beauty of the Northern Lights with this accessible guide for aspiring astronomers and seasoned night sky observers. Covers the essential equipment needed for observation and photography. Tom Kerss covers the cultural and scientific context for auroras, and offers a...

From Galileo’s humble spyglass to spaceborne observatories that glimpse the edge of time, this is the epic story of how humanity learned to see the universe. For over 400 years, the telescope has reshaped not just astronomy, but our very understanding of our place in the cosmos. Lenses, Light, and the Infinite Night traces the sweeping, often surprising history of this revolutionary instrument—from the dim candlelit workshops of the Renaissance to the golden mirrors of James Webb and the continent-spanning radio eyes that captured a black hole. Told with rich detail and poetic clarity, ...

A talk by Terence McKenna about how our global culture is preparing to depart for the stars, so we must begin to pack for the trip. He begins with a discussion of botanical dimensions of folk medicine which are lost in pharmacology and how this is being uncovered by the New Age archaic revival. McKenna envisions an end to the current age, which has consisted of eons of boredom. He goes on to discuss the growing wonder of the universe as presented by leading astronomers Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan.

Brock, the brachiosaurus, and Tilly, the T-Rex, are best friends who love discovering the wonders of the world around them. In this enchanting book, Brock & Tilly learn about the phases of the moon with the help of Tilly's wise and gentle grandma. Through vivid illustrations and captivating storytelling, children ages 6-8 will have an exciting journey of curiosity and discovery, learning the secrets of the moon’s ever-changing face. Perfect for young readers, this book inspires a love for exploration, encourages asking questions, and introduces the magic of science in a fun and engaging ...

Informed by cutting-edge scientific research and sparkling with memorable characters - from the modern druids who worship at Stonehenge each solstice to the Amish farmers who may have the right idea about healthy sleep patterns - Linda Geddes’s Chasing the Sun analyzes all aspects of our relationship to the sun. The fascinating stories, innovative science, and unique perspectives in this book make it clear that the ancients were right to put the sun at the center of our world and that it is crucial that we remember this bond as we shape our lives today.

Unveil the gripping mysteries of the cosmos with your new read The Language of the Universe. Every paragraph of this groundbreaking eBook will transport you to a realm that channels the rhythm and pulse of the cosmos, unearthing thrilling insights and answers about the nature and implications of light and optics in our universe. Delve into the enchanting dance of light and optics illuminated in chapter one. Discover not just why light matters in astronomy, but also the crucial role that optics play in reading the secret language of the universe. Progress to chapter two where the nature of ...

Apollo 15 command module pilot Al Worden was one of the highest-profile personalities among the Apollo astronauts, renowned for his outspokenness and potent views but also recognized as a warm and well-liked person who devoted much of his life after retiring from NASA to sharing his spaceflight experiences.

A beautiful, heartbreaking novel about ambition, love, and space from the award-winning author of Wandering Souls January 28, 1986: Soon after launch, the Challenger shuttle falls out of the sky and into the sea. At the same time, Oliver Ines is born. Celestial Lights is his story. Ollie spends...

In a beautifully written, science-packed, and inspirational memoir, Egyptian-American astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance shares how she boldly carved out a place in the field of astrophysics, grounding herself in a lifelong love of the stars to face life’s inevitable challenges and embrace...