Takes readers on an interstellar odyssey, combining science, humor, and sidelong glances at Hollywood's portrayal of outer space. The journey begins close to home and then surges on to exoplanets, nebulae, and galaxies. The farther we travel, the wilder the questions become as theory collides with common sense. What's the shape of the universe? What happens when two black holes merge? Did other worlds spring into being at the Big Bang and can we visit...

Although the universe is full of weird things that don't make any sense, Cham and Whiteson make a compelling case that the questions we can't answer are as interesting as the ones we can, and they invite us to see the universe as a possibly boundless expanse of uncharted territory that's still ours to explore. --

A complete introduction to observing and understanding the night sky, explaining and demystifying stargazing to recognize objects and explain how they move through the sky over the night and the year.

Reveals everything you ever wanted to know about the planets, their satellites, and our place in the solar system.

"Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut, traveling through the universe on your very own space mission? What would it be like to tour the solar system, visiting the sun and the planets, taking in everything from moons to asteroid belts along the way? What would you see, and how would you feel? What would you eat? How would you navigate and produce fuel? How would you survive? On this epic voyage of discovery, astronomer Mark Thompson takes you...

In this guided tour of our planetary neighborhood, the Milky Way and other galaxies, and beyond, detailed maps and fascinating imagery from recent space missions partner with clear, authoritative scientific information. Starting with the sun and moving outward into space, acclaimed science writer and physicist James Trefil illuminates each planet, the most important moons, significant asteroids, and other objects in our solar system. Looking beyond,...

An illustrated guide to the heavens combines the myths, historic significance, and various interpretations of objects seen in the night sky, including the recognized constellations, meteors, eclipses, planets, and moons.

The timeless reference book returns with full color pages; color weather-forecast maps; weather predictions; astronomical data; gardening advice; recipes; articles on fishing, raising animals, laughter, and more; ideas, hints, and charts that provide simple solutions for everyday challenges; and much more.

Fully updated to 2017, this is the ideal guide for beginning sky watchers. With monthly charts and other diagrams, it shows how the visible stars change from month to month and includes the many sky events that occur throughout they year. Includes sky activity charts and moon calendars; meteors (with dates of showers, including hourly rate of radiants); the planets; ecliptic charts; diagrams of interesting events; plus sky and constellation maps throughout....

Examines the scope and nature of the universe, focusing on how it is known via observations made, and methods devised, on Earth. Presents for the lay audience a basic overview of four pretty giant topics: "Messengers" (the study of the travel of light, and what might lie beyond the farthest reaches of our knowledge), "Stardust" (how stars and solar systems--and life--are formed), "Falling" (the science of gravity), and "Destiny" (the laws of the universe)....