Search Results for: space

Space Atlas

By Eric

Space Atlas

Filled with lavish illustrations, this book is a grand tour of the universe. Three ever widening domains are presented–the planets, the stars, and the large scale universe itself–each including the ones before it and extending outward.

The tour starts close to home within the first domain, our own solar system. There is a tremendous variety here, from the sun scorched rocks of Mercury to the icy vastness of the Kuiper Belt beyond Pluto. We see the sun and planets born from the collapse of an interstellar dust cloud whose atoms were themselves created in long dead stars. Since many of these planets have been visited by space probes or landers, we are able to benefit from the incredible technology of exploration developed by NASA and its counterparts in other countries.

The second domain is made up of the billions of stars in our own Milky Way galaxy. We walk in the steps of the American astronomer Edwin Hubble, who first established that the universe is made up of discrete galaxies, then go on to examine the fundamental constituents of those galaxies–the stars. We see stars not as eternal lights in the sky, but as objects born out of a desperate struggle between pressure and gravity. We trace the life cycle of our own sun, from its birth 4.5 billion years ago to its quiet end 6 billion years in the future. We see the galaxy not as a serene and placid place, but as a giant factory, where primordial material is taken up into stars, then returned to the galaxy enriched with the heavy elements necessary for life.

Finally, we move to the ultimate domain–the large scale structure of the universe itself in which galaxies are the building blocks. We discover the most amazing fact, that the solid stuff of stars and planets on which we have been concentrating up to this point make up only a few percent of the mass in the universe, with the rest being composed of two mysterious entities called, respectively, dark matter and dark energy. We descend into deep caverns to see scientists trying to detect dark matter as it sweeps by the Earth, and we talk to theorists trying to solve the riddle of dark energy. This quest brings us to the frontier of knowledge, the edge of the unknown.

To conclude, two ultimate questions remain: How did the universe begin? How will the universe end? We trace our theories back to the first fraction of a second of the life of the universe and listen to the speculations of cosmologists about how it might all have started.

Details:

Format: Paperback, 336 Pages

Published: 2012

ISBN: 1426209711

Condition: Used

Hubble: Imagining Space and Time

By Eric

In the spirit of National Geographic’s top-selling Orbit, this large-format, full-color volume stands alone in revealing more than 200 of the most spectacular images from the Hubble Space Telescope during its lifetime, to the very eve of the 2008 final shuttle mission to the telescope. Written by two of the world’s foremost authorities on space history, Hubble: Imaging Space and Time illuminates the solar system’s workings, the expansion of the universe, the birth and death of stars, the formation of planetary nebulae, the dynamics of galaxies, and the mysterious force known as “dark energy.”

The potential impact of this book cannot be overstressed: The 2008 servicing mission to install new high-powered scientific instruments is especially high profile because the cancellation of the previous mission, in 2004, caused widespread controversy. The authors reveal the inside story of Hubble’s beginnings, its controversial early days, the drama of its first servicing missions, and the creation of the dynamic images that reach into the deepest regions of visible space, close to the time when the universe began.

A wealth of astonishing images leads us to the very edge of known space, setting the stage for the new James Webb Space Telescope, scheduled to launch in 2013. Find the stunning panoramic of Carina Nebula, detailing star birth as never before; a jet from a black hole in one galaxy striking a neighboring galaxy; a jewel-like collection of galaxies from the early years of the universe; and a giant galaxy cannibalizing a smaller galaxy.

Timed for the 2008 shuttle launch and coinciding with the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first telescope, Hubble: Imaging Space and Time accompanies a high-profile exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum and will be featured on the popular NASM website.

National Geographic October 2023

By Eric

Featured Articles:

  • Interview With a Rock Star Scientist: Brian May, the guitarist for Queen and a NASA consultant, discusses art, asteroids, and galactic harmony.
  • Designing Woman: A NASA engineer is revolutionizing flight suits to better accommodate women.
  • Making of a Masterpiece: A behind-the-scenes look at the construction of the James Webb Space Telescope.
  • A New Era of Discovery: Stunning images offer fresh insights into everything from massive black holes to young stars.
  • Up and Away: NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon for the first time in over 50 years.
  • A Time Travel to Ancient Galaxies: The most powerful telescope ever made searches for the origins of the universe.
  • The Alien Moon Shot: Exploring inhospitable places on Earth to understand what life might be like on other planets’ moons.

Spotlighted Article:

The main article, “A New Era of Discovery,” takes us on a cosmic journey, showcasing stunning images that provide fresh insights into the universe. From massive black holes to bright young stars, this article is a visual feast that challenges our understanding of the cosmos. It’s a compelling read that invites us to look up and wonder, reminding us that the universe is far more vast and mysterious than we often remember.

National Geographic June 2023

By Eric

National Geographic June 2023

  • Into The Wild: Life And Death In One Of America’s Last Great Places
  • Underwater Volcanoes In Italy
  • Ancient Iron From Space
  • Special Map: A Year At War In Ukraine

National Geographic February 2023

By Eric
  • The February 2023 issue of National Geographic covers:
    • The innovative use of origami in science and technology, including:
      • Robotic arms
      • Face masks
      • Solar arrays for space
    • New discoveries about vertebrate evolution
    • Poultry as “walking pieces of art”
    • The challenges faced by one of the world’s oldest populations
    • The complexities of monitoring sea otter populations
    • The revival of traditional building materials in West Africa
  • Each article features:
    • In-depth reporting
    • Captivating photographs
  • This issue of National Geographic offers:
    • A unique perspective on the world
    • A fascinating exploration of the intersection of art and science.