Twenty years ago, the search for planets outside the Solar System was a job restricted to science-fiction writers. Now it's one of the fastest-growing fields in astronomy with thousands of exoplanets discovered to date, and the number is rising fast.These new-found worlds are more alien than anything in fiction. Planets larger than Jupiter with years lasting a week; others with two suns lighting their skies, or with no sun at all. Planets with diamond mantles supporting oceans of t...

**“Cox brings a magical enchantment to this life-changing book. . . . I swear that you will never be the same again after you turn the last page of this unique and irresistible book.” —**Sunday Express (London)Experience the cosmos as never before with Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Universe, a gorgeously illustrated, full-color companion to his wildly popular miniseries on the Discovery Channel and BBC. Breathtaking images brighten C...

Drawing on the current cross-pollination of geology, biology, and astrophysics, Origins makes "the astonishing astronomical discoveries of recent years come alive (Michael D. Lemonick).Origin's explores cosmic science's stunning new insights into the formation and evolution of our universe— of the cosmos, of galaxies and galaxy clusters, of stars within galaxies, of orbiting planets, and of different forms of life. "Distill[s] complex science in clear and lively p...

A lively astronomy primer that uses cataclysmic scenarios to explain the universe?s most fascinating events.According to astronomer Philip Plait, the universe is an apocalypse waiting to happen But how much do we really need to fear from things like black holes, gamma-ray bursts, and supernovae? And if we should be scared, is there anything we can do to save ourselves? With humor and wit, Plait details the myriad doomsday events that the cosmos could send our way t...

For everyone who’s curious about what’s new under (and over and around) the stars.Douglas Adams famously pronounced in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy that the answer to life, the universe, and everything was 42. Quirks & Quarks, whose approach to science owes almost as much to Adams as it does to Newton or Einstein or Hawking, have flipped that notion through a gap in the space-time continuum (or something like that) and come up with answers to the 42 essenti...

The most comprehensive guide to the known universe. Great reference for classes including earth science and physical science as well as astronomy. Includes guide includes information including: history, the sun, the planets, starlight and galaxies, and cosmological concepts.

See the skies in a whole new light. Take a tour of the universe, from our local solar system to the far reaches of deepest space. Astronomy Made Simple offers a complete introduction to this science, from its birth in ancient times to the different types of super-powerful telescopes scientists use today. It also includes detailed instructions on how to map the stars and understand the coordinate system, as well as fun sidebars, ideas for projects for further learning, and ...

The Big Questions series enables renowned experts to tackle the 20 most fundamental and frequently asked questions of a major branch of science or philosophy. Each 3000-word essay simply and concisely examines a question that has eternally perplexed enquiring minds, providing answers from history's great thinkers. This ambitious project is a unique distillation of humanity's best ideas.In Big Questions: The Universe, Dr Stuart Clark tackles the 20 key questions of astronomy and cosm...

Bang! Space, time, matter... the Universe was born 13.7 billion years ago. Infinitely small at first, it expanded more rapidly than anyone can contemplate. Brian May, Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott explain how all this came about, from the moment when time and space came into existence, to the formation of the first stars, galaxies and planets, and to the evolution of human beings able to contemplate our own origins and ultimate destiny. Then on towards that destiny in the infinite fu...

Astronomy is a science as old as the stars! With The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Astronomy, Second Edition, learn:• Fascinating facts while taking a tour of our solar system, our galaxy, and beyond• Idiot-proof steps for buying and using today’s cutting-edge telescopes• Tips and tricks to guide you when exploring the skies

A prize-winning popular science writer uses mathematical modeling to explain the cosmos.In Calculating the Cosmos, Ian Stewart presents an exhilarating guide to the cosmos, from our solar system to the entire universe. He describes the architecture of space and time, dark matter and dark energy, how galaxies form, why stars implode, how everything began, and how it's all going to end. He considers parallel universes, the fine-tuning of the cosmos for life,...

See the night sky like you have never seen it before with this all-encompassing guide to astronomy. Learn all there is to know about the layout of the skies, the positions of the main constellations and the names of the brightest stars, so you can become a backyard astronomer in no time at all. With easy-to-use star charts, photographs and observational drawings of objects visible from both hemispheres, The Star Book will take your understanding and enjoyment of stargazing to the next leve...