Astronomy History

This is a fascinating introduction to the history of Western astronomy, from prehistoric times to the origins of astrophysics in the mid-19th century. Historical records are first found in Babylon and Egypt, and after two millennia the arithmetical astronomy of the Babylonians merged with the Greek geometrical approach to culminate in the Almagest of Ptolemy. This legacy was transmitted to the Latin West via Islam and led to Copernicus's claim that the Earth is in motion.

Cosmos is one of the bestselling science books of all time. In clear-eyed prose, Sagan reveals a jewel-like blue world inhabited by a life form that is just beginning to discover its own identity and to venture into the vast ocean of space.

What's going on in the sky? Astronomy For Dummies takes you through the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and all the way to the outer reaches of the universe. You'll have stars in your eyes as you discover the basics of skywatching, planets, asteroids, black holes, and dark matter. Ponder the deep questions that keep humanity guessing, like, is there anybody out there? Two NASA-award-winning astronomers take you on a tour of outer space that will fascinate you—and, if you're a student, help you through your intro astronomy course.

A Russian dissident, a Jesuit priest, and an American mule skinner are but a few of the bold visionaries who crafted the scientific story of cosmic origins. The collective insights of these and numerous creative thinkers advanced human understanding from mythology to mathematics, yielding falsifiable alternatives to ancient folklore and campfire tales. Listening to the Big Bang tells the dramatic human story—filled with colorful characters, unsung catalysts, and glorified heroes—which made the Big Bang the leading cosmological theory.

Explore the curiosities of our galaxy with this comprehensive, digestible guide to astronomy! Too often, textbooks obscure the beauty and wonder of outer space with tedious discourse that even Galileo would oppose. Astronomy 101 cuts out the boring details and lengthy explanations, and instead...

In the gripping Never Panic Early, Fred Haise, Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 13, offers a detailed firsthand account of when disaster struck three days into his mission to the moon. An oxygen tank exploded, a crewmate uttered the now iconic words, “Houston, we’ve had a problem here,” and the world anxiously watched as one of history’s most incredible rescue missions unfolded. Haise brings listeners into the heart of his experience on the challenging mission—considered NASA’s finest hour—and reflects on his life and career as an Apollo astronaut.

Neil deGrasse Tyson's number-one New York Times best-selling guide to the cosmos, adapted for young listeners. From the basics of physics to big questions about the nature of space and time, celebrated astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down the mysteries of the cosmos into bite-sized pieces.

This book will change your perspective on the universe and expand your mind with its condensed breakdown of the most profound mysteries in physics and cosmology. From the nature of dark matter and dark energy to the origins of life, this book delves into the most fundamental questions of our existence, guiding readers through the latest research and discoveries in the field. Through captivating storytelling and thought-provoking discussions, this book will ignite a passion for science and inspire readers to join in the quest for knowledge. Uncover the secrets of the universe and gain a ...

Something Is Missing. Something Enormous. You are made of almost nothing. Not in a philosophical sense. In a literal, measurable, scientific one. Every atom in your body, every star you have ever seen, every planet, moon, and galaxy that astronomers have ever cataloged in the entire history of human observation. All of it, every single piece of matter in the known universe, amounts to less than five percent of what exists. The rest is dark. Silent. Invisible. Unknown. Stop for a moment and let that land. Ninety-five percent of the universe is missing, and no one knows what it is. This is ...

Science Concepts Explained for Non-Scientists: Clear Guides to How the World Works Astronomy Explained for Non-Scientists: How the Universe Works From Stars and Planets to Space and Time is a clear, engaging guide designed for curious readers who want to understand the universe without advanced math, technical jargon, or a science background. Written in an accessible and concept focused style, this book explains how astronomers study space, what they have discovered about stars, planets, galaxies, and the cosmos, and how we know what we know. It transforms astronomy from an intimidating ...

Discover the archaeological detective story of a lost mechanical computer that rewrites ancient scientific history. Found by sponge divers in a treacherous shipwreck, these corroded bronze gears held stunning celestial secrets that lay hidden for decades. Journey back to the Hellenistic era...

Uncover the awe-inspiring history of a jungle empire that mastered celestial astronomy to rule the ancient world. Perfect for focused learning during your commute, this atmospheric journey transports you to the vibrant city-states of Mesoamerica. Witness a society where rulers and astronomers...

Witness the dramatic intellectual history that shattered ancient dogma and ignited the dawn of modern science. Perfect for an enlightening daily commute, this thought-provoking journey transports you to Renaissance Europe's bustling coffeehouses and crowded workshops. Here, rebel astronomers and...

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission - and if he fails, humanity and the Earth itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

The history of telescopic astronomy is crazy. When Galileo Galilei invented telescopic astronomy, it immediately became controversial. Even while religious authorities claimed that newly discovered stars and moons were hoaxes, the astronomers feuded among themselves about who was the best. The craziest feud was over who could figure out sunspots—which meant that astronomers studied the Sun through telescopes. Brilliant astronomers like Galileo, Christoph Scheiner, and David Fabricius all stared at the Sun prove who was the best. And over the next several centuries, other brilliant ...

*An instant New York Times Bestseller* *Publishers Weekly #1 Most Anticipated Science Book of Spring 2016* "You will be enthralled." — Wall Street Journal "A tour de force." — Salon.com Already internationally acclaimed for his elegant, lucid writing on the most challenging notions in modern...

"[Greene] develops one fresh new insight after another...In the great tradition of physicists writing for the masses, The Elegant Universe sets a standard that will be hard to beat." --George Johnson, The New York Times Book Review In a rare blend of scientific insight and writing as elegant as...

What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There's no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson. But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in digestible chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day.

Earth evolves. From first atom to molecule, mineral to magma, granite crust to single cell to verdant living landscape, ours is a planet constantly in flux. In this radical new approach to Earth’s biography, senior Carnegie Institution researcher and national best-selling author Robert M. Hazen reveals how the co-evolution of the geosphere and biosphere - of rocks and living matter - has shaped our planet into the only one of its kind in the Solar System, if not the entire cosmos.

Plunge into a gripping archaeological mystery and decode the lost ancient technology of a submerged celestial machine. Found among early twentieth-century shipwreck ruins, these corroded bronze gears sparked a century-long scientific quest to understand what our ancestors could truly build...