Giles Sparrow

The largest ever (42 cm x 35 cm) fully illustrated guide to the universe from our home planet to the edge of space and time.Our view of the universe covers at least 130 billion trillion kilometers (80 billion trillion miles) in every direction around us. We know that the magnificent vault of stars emblazoning Earth's night skies are an infinitesimal fraction of the hundreds of billions that inhabit our galaxy, and we know there are at least as many galaxies in the universe as there are stars in the Milky Way. Cosmos makes sense of this dizzying celestial panorama by exploring it one step at a time and by illustrating the planets, moons, stars, nebulae, white dwarfs, black holes and other exotica that populate the heavens with over 450 of the most spectacular and up-to-date photographs and illustrations. We begin at home, with an orbital survey of planet Earth, before venturing deeper into the solar system via the Moon, Venus, Mercury, the Sun and Mars. Crossing the asteroid belt takes us into the outer solar system and the realm of the gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Beyond Neptune's orbit we encounter a graveyard of icy debris left over from the solar system's formation that marks the outer limits of the Sun's sphere of influence. Emerging in interstellar space, we head for the heart of our galaxy as the rhythms of stellar life unfold before our eyes: we pass through dark clouds of dust and gas ablaze with clusters of newly smelted stars, we watch dying stars bloom and fade as planetary nebulae, or tear themselves apart as supernovae. Navigating through thick swarms of stars, we reach the galactic core, a gravitational maelstrom of exotic stars in the thrall of a supermassive black hole.Having crossed the Milky Way, we enter intergalactic space. Out here we watch the hidden lives of galaxies: we see them tear their companions apart or devour them whole, we see them flock and cluster, forming massive conglomerations that span millions of light years and warp space with their tremendous gravity. As we press ever deeper into the cosmos, so we travel further back in time. After covering an almost unimaginable 13.4 billion light years, we approach the edge of space and the dawn of time where our voyage must end, but not before we consider how our universe was born, and how it might die.

Cosmos

History of the Universe in 21 Stars : (and 3 Imposters)

Die komplette Geschichte der Expeditionen ins All

Abenteuer Raumfahrt

Perfect Sky

This stunning collection of images and essays surveys the key breakthroughs that have shaped our understanding of the universe around us - from the discovery of the solar system, to Supermassive black holes and the remote depths of the cosmos. Beginning with the theories put forward for the origin of our universe - the Big Bang and its rivals - and ending with what the eventual fate of our cosmos might be, this overview of 100 landmark discoveries tells the story of how we have endeavoured to understand the place of our own planet in the wider universe.

In 100 Key Discoveries

The Universe

What is the Higgs Boson? Where did life come from? And what are you looking at when you're looking at Modern Art Put your knowledge to the test - and learn to think and talk like a genius. The Genius Test takes you on a journey through humanity's most brain-bending ideas, from the big bang and the origins of life to chaos theory, existentialism and special relativity, challenging you to understand and providing the tools to help you master the big ideas. Shortcuts to becoming a genius include: · Are you a Genius? quizzes - questions to test your knowledge · The 10 things a Genius would know · Talk like a Genius - intellectual conversation gambits · A Bluffer's summary The Genius Test challenges you to understand 50 subjects including: The Hard Problem of consciousness; the human genome; Evo-devo; the human brain; A.I.; Fermat's Last Theorem; the Riemann Hypothesis; Gödel's Theorem of Incompleteness; Post-modernism; Modern architecture; Keynesianism; Semiotics and Structuralism; Schrödinger's cat; DNA; Deconstructivism; the mind-body problem; Superstrings; Quantum Theory; The Big Bang; black holes...and many more.

Can You Master The World's Hardest Ideas?

The Genius Test

Kaboom! About 4.6 billion years ago, a swirling gas cloud comprised of carbon dust, hydrogen, helium, water and ice collapsed under its own gravity, creating an enormous explosion the -- a big bang, so to speak. As it contracted, the solar system we know today began to take shape. In The Solar System, readers journey back billions of years, to witness the birth of the planets, stars, and more. This insightful book features the following. * The celestial bodies that make up our fascinating solar system are explored with a team of scientists and experts . * This book offers provocative research of the nine major planets, their largest moons, famous comets and asteroids, and illuminates the amazing details of their creation, development and discovery. * Unique spreads contain detailed descriptions, important data tables, intriguing graphics and lavish artworks of the planets, moons and other key celestial bodies. * Interesting speculation is discussed about the possibility one day -- perhaps in the year 2515 -- of people inhabiting the moon. * Fascinating information and more than 500 spectacular color illustrations and photographs add to this insightful book.

Exploring the Planets and Their Moons from Mercury to Pluto and Beyond

The Solar System

Get ready for the most incredible safari imaginable: a journey around the globe and throughout history to discover an array of astonishing creatures that almost defy explanation. This fascinating field guide surveys the globe in search of mysterious animals in remote corners of the world, and reveals the truth behind the creatures of myth and legend that have been passed down from generation to generation. Prepare to meet Biblical beasts such as Behemoth and Leviathan, and Mediterranean monsters like the ferocious Minotaur, and Medusa with her deadly stare. In northern Europe you will encounter the famous western dragon and its close relative the wyvern, as well mischievous fairies, gremlins and pixies and, of course, the Loch Ness Monster. Investigate the evidence for sightings of Bigfoot and giant serpents in the Americas; track the mysterious Kongamoto and Ennedi tiger in Africa and do your best to not to disturb the lethal Mongolian death worm or the reclusive Yeti in Asia and beyond. Packed with spectacular computer-generated images, the very latest research and theories about each animal, and distribution maps, tracker tips and advice on how to protect yourself from these fearsome beasts, the pages of this book reveal the world of fabulous creatures and monsters as you have never seen them before.

The Ultimate Monster Encyclopedia

Field Guide to Fantastic Creatures

Previously published as A History of the Universe in 21 Stars. 'REVISED AND UPDATED ___ 'A wonderful book about the science, history and mythology of 21 stars (and 3 impostors).' Dr David Whitehouse Look up on a clear evening, and you'll see thousands of stars shining in the night sky, each telling a story of their own. With star maps to help easily identify key celestial bodies, astronomer Giles Sparrow takes 21 stars (and three impostors) to look at what each pinprick of light can tell us about the birth, life and death of our universe. From red giants to supernovae and from stellar cities to our own Sun, The History of Our Universe in 21 Stars shows how the lights we see in the sky can help us unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. 'Beautifully written and extremely accessible ... It's extremely difficult to put down! Gemma Lavender

(That You Can Spot in the Night Sky)

The History of Our Universe in 21 Stars

Examines the outer planets, and discusses their moons, interiors, atmospheres, locations, and exploration.

Destination Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto

A virtual tour of the red planet's dramatic features and awe-inspiring landscapes, including the very latest images from the Mars reconnaissance orbiter and the Spirit and Curiosity rovers. -- Back cover.

The Ultimate Guide to the Red Planet

Mars

Mars has always fascinated humanity and the findings of the past decade have revolutionized ideas about our nearest neighbour - revealing its watery past and geological similarity to Earth. This volume, filled with the latest and most magnificent images to be sent back from Curiosity, will walk you in the footsteps of the NASA probes and rovers that have been surveying the planet from 1964 until the present day. Experience its other-worldly beauty as you hover over sinister dust devils, immense icecaps and textured rock formations. Mars charts an incredible course across this unfamiliar planet, depicting all sides, seasons, channels and chasms, from the North Pole to the Southern Highlands. Witness the soaring heights of Olympus Mons - the tallest volcano in the Solar System - watch a giant dust storm tear through the canyons of the Valles Marineris, and explore the broad valleys of Chryse Planitia, scarred from catastrophic floods. Detailed and accessible essays explain how Mars was formed, shedding light on its internal and external structure, weather systems and unique geographical features, as well as on the compelling evidence of water and microscopic life. Each image is accompanied by a caption that explains in unparalleled detail the abstract patterns and peculiar geology that form this majestic planet. Featuring over 200 spectacular photographs and informative colour diagrams, an atlas of the surface and details of the most recent scientific discoveries, Mars is the perfect introduction to the Red Planet.

A New View of the Red Planet

Een bonbonnetje van een boek over ons universum en de sterrenkunde Wanneer je op een heldere nacht omhoog kijkt, kun je duizenden sterren aan de hemel zien staan. Elke ster kent een eigen verhaal dat ons uitleg geeft over het ogenschijnlijk oneindige universum. Aan de hand van 21 van deze sterren - plus 3 bedriegers die feitelijk gezien geen sterren zijn - beschrijft sterrenkundige Giles Sparrow de geschiedenis van het heelal, van het ontstaan tot de meest recente ontdekkingen en inzichten. Over zwarte gaten, supernova's, witte dwergsterren en rode superreuzen; over bekende sterren als de Poolster en de zon: wie nieuwsgierig is naar de wereld buiten onze aarde, gaat in dit boek mee op de ontdekkingstocht die generaties van wetenschappers eerder aflegden. Sparrow geeft bovendien aanwijzingen voor het sterrenkijken zelf. Doe zoals Albert Einstein al adviseerde: 'Kijk naar de sterren en leer van ze.' * onder redactie van wetenschapsjournalist Govert Schilling * hét cadeau voor elke sterrenliefhebber * aantrekkelijk laagdrempelige uitleg * mooi gebonden en geïllustreerd boek met fonkelende gouden sterren 'Dankzij goed gekozen voorbeelden, een feilloos taalgevoel en een mespuntje Britse humor is deze geschiedenis van ons heelal een heel plezierig en laagdrempelig boek dat uitpuilt van de interessante informatie.' - Govert Schilling, auteur van De olifant in het universum

De geschiedenis van het heelal in 21 sterren (en 3 bedriegers)

Luminous spheres of plasma held together by their own gravity, each star is born out of the collapse of gaseous nebula and develops a core that radiates astounding amounts of energy, the result of thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium, through its interior and across outer space. Ever-expanding, the star throws off mass, which helps form new stars, while the core begins to collapse, becoming a white dwarf, a neutron star, or even a black hole. Multiply this single star by 300 sextillion and you see how much drama and energy exist in the universe. The sheer wonder and power of stars is on full display here, with stunning high-definition photographs, intricate computer renderings, cutaway diagrams, and infographics.

The Stars

This fascinating entry in the “Big Idea” series is a well-informed, comprehensive and accessibly written look at the very nature of the universe. What Shape Is Space? is a question with far-reaching implications for our understanding of the very nature of reality and our place within it. The concepts involved may be sophisticated, but Giles Sparrow’s effortless prose style renders them understandable, allowing readers to come to grips with the overarching debates at the cutting edge of cosmology today. Illustrations, diagrams, and astronomical visualizations demonstrate and clarify the various astonishing implications of a universe of infinite space. This entry in the “Big Idea” series explores four key topics: “Mapping Space,” featuring the evidence that favors the expanding and infinite universe theory; “The Expanding Universe,” which examines the rate at which the cosmos is expanding; “The Omega Factor,” which explores the possibilities for different types of hypothetically infinite universes; and “The Shape of the Multiverse,” which analyzes the effect of each possible shape on the likely future of the universe. Well-informed and lucid, What Shape Is Space? is an in-depth and approachable exploration of the ideas and possibilities born from this seemingly simple question.

Primers for the 21st Century

What Shape Is Space?

Carole Stott

Find everything you need to observe, understand and enjoy the night sky in this complete practical kit for star watchers. Pick up the handy visual guide and find out what you�ll need to get started and when to look for stars, plus explore a complete introduction to the Solar System. Use the interactive planisphere to navigate the entire sky any time of night, throughout the year. Plus, 44 double-sided cards and a mini torch reveal how to identify each constellation, with hints and tips on special features to look for in each formation. Whether you�re a complete beginner or an accomplished astronomer, this is your up-to-date guide to exploring the cosmos.

Starfinder

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has been taking stunning images of space for 20 years. It is one of the largest and most versatile space telescopes and its orbit outside the distortion of Earth's atmosphere allows it to take extremely sharp images with almost no background light. As an observatory in space, Hubble is one of the most successful scientific projects of all time, both in terms of scientific output and its immediate public appeal. It has consistently delivered super-sharp images and clean, uncontaminated spectra over the entire near-infrared and ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Hubble's observations have opened up new scientific territory and have led to major breakthroughs in astrophysics, such as accurately determining the rate of expansion of the Universe. Hubble - Window on the Universe is a celebration of Hubble's astonishing scientific and technical achievements told via 200 glorious full-colour images. This stunning oversized volume showcases all of the most spectacular - and most recent - images taken by the HST so far. The chapters of the book are arranged thematically (The Solar System in Perspective, A New View of the Stars, Beyond the Milky Way, Exploring Space and Time) revealing the most recent views of a dizzying array of celestial objects such as Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, the birth and death of stars, the beautiful Butterfly Nebulae, Omega Centauri, Stephen's Quintet and the mysteries of dark matter. Feature spreads chart the fascinating history of the Hubble project from its origins and launch in 1990, the discovery and emergency repair of a defective mirror, the impact of four subsequent servicing missions and finally, what the future holds in store for one of the most amazing scientific instruments ever made.

Window on the Universe

Hubble

Presents photographs of the Universe with close-ups of the planets, sun, and stars.

Cosmos Close-up

Describes the composition, eclipses, surface, atmosphere, and formation of the moon.

Destination the Moon

Travel into space with this comprehensive visual encyclopedia of the cosmos, from the Big Bang to the Extremely Large Telescope. Full of galactic facts, dramatic photographs, and CGI artwork, and based on the latest astronomical research, this is a definitive guide to our Solar System, the Universe, and beyond... Accessible, entertaining, and authoritative, this comprehensive visual encyclopedia is the perfect introduction to the world of space and astronomy for children aged eight and above.

Giles Sparrow

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