Synopses & Reviews
Renowned science writers John and Mary Gribbin team up with one of the most historic scientific sites in the worldthe Royal Observatory, Greenwichto take readers on a stunning visual tour of the universe. This riveting journey moves from our home planet outwards to the Moon, Sun, Inner and Outer Solar Systems, Milky Way, and other galaxies. Not only do the Gribbins discuss the always-intriguing topic of alien life, but they divulge little-known facts (Venus is the only planet in our solar system to rotate backwards), as well as all the basics beginning armchair astronomers need to know. Dramatic four-color photographs complement the informative text, giving readers a sense of what it might be like to be an astronaut
and go where no one has gone before.
Synopsis
Renowned science writers John and Mary Gribbin team up with one of the most historic scientific sites in the world--the Royal Observatory, Greenwich--to take readers on a stunning visual tour of the universe. This riveting journey moves from our home planet outwards to the Moon, Sun, Inner and Outer Solar Systems, Milky Way, and other galaxies. Not only do the Gribbins discuss the always-intriguing topic of alien life, but they divulge little-known facts (Venus is the only planet in our solar system to rotate backwards), as well as all the basics beginning armchair astronomers need to know. Dramatic four-color photographs complement the informative text, giving readers a sense of what it might be like to be an astronaut...and go where no one has gone before. - Features stunning four-color photographs throughout
- The perfect gift for anyone interested in astronomy
- Informative, beautifully written text from two highly regarded authors in the field
Synopsis
In this brand-new paperback edition, acclaimed science authors John and Mary Gribbin, together with the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, offer a stunning visual tour of the universe that begins on Earth and blasts off for the Moon, the Sun, the Solar System, the Milky Way, and beyond. From the Big Bang, to the mysteries of black holes and dark matter, to the possibility of alien life, this accessible and stimulating guide--enhanced with extraordinary photographs and artist's renderings--is the next best thing to a seat aboard the International Space Station.
About the Author
Dr. John Gribbin trained as an astrophysicist at the University of Cambridge. A full-time science writer, he has worked for the science journal
Nature and
New Scientist magazine, and has contributed articles to the
Times, the
Guardian, and the
Independent. He is the author of more than 100 books, including
In Search of Schrödinger's Cat,
The Universe: A Biography, and
Deep Simplicity: Bringing Order to Chaos and Complexity. Gribbin is currently a Visiting Fellow in astronomy at the University of Sussex. Mary Gribbin has written for publications including
She magazine and
New Scientist, and is the author of several books on scientific topics for young readers, including
Big Numbers and
From Atoms to Infinity, as well as
The Science of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. She is also a Visiting Fellow at the University of Sussex. The Royal Observatory, Greenwich--home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian, Longitude--is one of the most important historic scientific sites in the world. It was founded in 1675 by King Charles II and has since played a key role in seeking and answering fundamental questions about time, space, and the universe.