Education Astronomy

A Landmark Translation of the Original Renaissance Quadrivium Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680) was the last great Renaissance polymath—and one of the first global scholars. In the mid-1600s, he published his monumental three-volume work, Oedipus Aegyptiacus, which aimed to decode the ancient world’s symbolic language. This volume contains Kircher’s exploration of the Quadrivium: Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy—the four liberal arts of classical education. Drawing on ancient sources from Pythagoras to Plato, Kircher weaves a cosmological vision in which number, form, sound...

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER How a force that’s hard to name, but which we all feel, is reshaping what it means to be human In Against the Machine, “furiously gifted” (The Washington Post) novelist, poet, and essayist Paul Kingsnorth presents a wholly original—and terrifying—account of...

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 ...

FROM ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT MINDS OF OUR TIME COMES A BOOK THAT CLARIFIES HIS MOST IMPORTANT IDEAS Stephen Hawking’s worldwide bestseller A Brief History of Time remains a landmark volume in scientific writing. But for readers who have asked for a more accessible formulation of its key...

A science book for the general reader that is informative enough to be a popular textbook and yet well-written enough to appeal to general readers. “Hazen and Trefil [are] unpretentious—good, down-to-earth, we-can-explain-anything science teachers, the kind you wish you had but never did...

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “A whirlwind tour of fundamental physics and cosmology.”—The Wall Street Journal “Fascinating . . . a wealth of ideas [that] leave us with a clearer understanding of modern physics in all its invigorating complexity.”—Los Angeles Times When and how...

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...

"A gripping guide to the modern taming of the infinite." —New York Times Part history, part philosophy, part love letter to the study of mathematics, Everything and More is an illuminating tour of infinity. With his infectious curiosity and trademark verbal pyrotechnics, David Foster Wallace...

“For now, our purpose comes from knowing that life’s very short, but in the future, we’ll find purpose in discovering how many things are possible for the first time.” Whenever I deliver a science talk, I always make a promise: there are no forbidden questions. This simple statement usually captures people’s attention immediately, especially that of younger attendees. What are the concerns of the young people of our time? Is pursuing a degree still worthwhile in the era of AI and automation? Is it a good idea to start a family in a world facing challenges such as inflation, ...

A physicist explains daily phenomena from the mundane to the magisterial. Take a look up at the stars on a clear night and you get a sense that the universe is vast and untouchable, full of mysteries beyond comprehension. But did you know that the key to unveiling the secrets of the cosmos is as...

If I were an astronaut, I would zoom into outer space! I would help fix the International Space Station. Dream big, and see what fun it is to be an astronaut.

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.

With stories that entertain as much as they inform, renowned evolutionist David Sloan Wilson outlines the basic principles of evolution and shows how, when properly understood, they can illuminate the length and breadth of creation, from the origin of life to the nature of religion. What is the...

In these lively and fascinating essays, scientists from around the world weigh in on the latest advances in the search for intelligent life in the universe and discuss just what that might look like. Since 2000, science has seen a surge in data and interest on several fronts related to E.T...

Explore the science behind one of television’s greatest series. Star Trek shaped and defined the science-fiction genre for generations of television viewers and writers, and now readers can learn more about the science presented on the show. What’s it like traveling at warp speed? What are...

Most of the universe is missing—and this book finally makes sense of it. For decades, astronomers have known that everything we can see, touch, and measure accounts for only a tiny fraction of reality. The rest—an astonishing ninety‑five percent—is made of dark matter and dark energy, two invisible forces that shape galaxies, bend starlight, accelerate cosmic expansion, and determine the fate of the cosmos. This plain‑English guide cuts through the confusion and explains the biggest mystery in modern science with clarity, storytelling, and real scientific history. The book ...

Much of today's telecom tech – was invented by a woman. She was a very famous actress in her day. Can you name her? One famous photograph of a very tiny thing led to the discovery of the structure of DNA. Do you know the name of the woman who took that photo? You're watching a police drama on TV and you see an officer put on a bullet-proof vest made of Kevlar. Know which woman invented that? Before computers, there were "computers," women who did the heavy math lifting with the pre-electronic tools available to them, namely their math-inclined brains. Would you recognize the names of ...

"Astronomy: A Quick Read" is a fascinating exploration of the cosmos in bite-sized articles tailored for readers of all ages. Delve into the wonders of our Solar System, from the majestic Sun to the enigmatic Pluto, and unravel the mysteries of moons, asteroids, and comets. Witness the celestial dance of lunar and solar eclipses, and marvel at the cosmic ballet of meteors streaking through the night sky. Journey through galaxies, including our own Milky Way, and ponder the vastness of the Universe and theories like the Big Bang and Multiverse. Encounter celestial phenomena like black holes,...

Developed by experienced professors and professionally narrated for easy listening, this course is a great way to explore the subject of Astronomy. The audio is focused and high-yield, covering the most important topics you might expect to learn in a typical undergraduate course in Astronomy. The material is accurate, up-to-date, and broken down into bite-sized chapters. There are quizzes and key takeaways following each chapter to review questions commonly tested and drive home key points.

An essential guide to milestone developments in astronomy, telling the story of our ideas about space, time, and the physics of the cosmos-from ancient times to the present day. From planets and stars to black holes and the Big Bang, take a journey through the wonders of the universe. Featuring...