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Summary
Summary
We live in a truly golden age of astronomy and space exploration that may allow us to unravel some of the biggest mysteries of all: How did the Universe begin? Are there other Earth-like planets out there? Are we alone? The Space Book is a gateway into these kinds of questions--and more--for anyone interested in the worlds beyond our planet.
Expanding the series that began with the highly successful volumes The Science Book and The Math Book , astronomer and planetary scientist Jim Bell presents 250 of the most groundbreaking astronomical events, from the formation of galaxies to the recent discovery of water ice on Mars. Beautiful photographs or illustrations accompany each entry. Open the book to any page to discover some new wonder or mystery about the Universe around us.
Author Notes
Dr. Jim Bell is professor at Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration in Tempe, AZ, and an adjunct professor in the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. As president of The Planetary Society, which includes such well-known figures as Buzz Aldrin, Bill Nye, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and Steven Spielberg, Jim is an active and prolific public commentator on science and space exploration, earning the 2011 Carl Sagan Medal from the American Astronomical Society. In addition to being a frequent contributor to such magazines as Sky & Telescope and Scientific American , he has appeared on radio, Internet blogs, television shows including the TODAY show, This American Morning , and the PBS Newshour , as well as programs on the Discovery, National Geographic, and History cable channels. Author of Postcards from Mars (Plume), Mars 3-D (Sterling) and Moon 3-D (Sterling). Jim is an active planetary scientist who has been involved in such NASA robotic exploration missions as Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR), Mars Pathfinder, Mars Exploration Rover, and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, to name a few. The 8146 Jimbell main-belt asteroid is named in his honor.
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Planetary scientist and professor Bell (Postcards from Mars) highlights significant events in the for-mation of the universe in chronological order. He covers the Big Bang through the formation of the Milky Way, the discoveries and theories of ancient scientists and philosophers like Pythagoras, and the development of celestial navigation including modern exploration of Mars. Bell doesn't end with 2013, however; he completes this history of the universe with projected events such as the evaporation of Earth's oceans, the dying of the last stars, and the universe's eventual end. He acknowledges the difficulty in selecting only 250 events from across the existence of time and space, addressing his de-sire to include significant events from ancient through modern history. Each event occupies a two-page spread, with clear, concise explanations accompanied by a full-color photograph. The accessible format and captivating photos invite readers to explore at their leisure, and Bell provides a list of comments and additional references for further study, many of which are online. Space and science lovers as well as the generally curious will appreciate this volume, which is appropriate even for pre-cocious youth. Photos. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
The Space Book takes a different approach to our knowledge of the cosmos, presenting it as a chronology rather than an encyclopedia. Although entries span the time from the big bang to the end of the universe, the majority cover the mid-twentieth century to the present. Each entry provides a page describing an event, discovery, or theory, along with a full-page color image related to that event. Browsing through the entries sequentially gives the reader a sense of how our knowledge developed over time, and an index allows readers to find entries by subject. Neither reference nor text, this beautiful title is just plain fun to browse and readers will discover interesting and odd facts about the universe by doing so.--Tyckoson, David Copyright 2010 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Bell (astronomy, Arizona State Univ.) aims to summarize the entire 13.7-billion-year history of the universe in 250 events. A large number of said events are actually objects (e.g., planets or moons), astronomical concepts (e.g., "Main Sequence"), or a class of discoveries (e.g., "Liquid-Fueled Rocketry"). However, the format is eye-catching and the text easy to read, with a single page of explanatory text opposite a colorful image for each item. References to other pages are noted in boldface type, and specified in a "See Also" list at the bottom of the entry. By Bell's admission, the focus is centered fairly heavily on the solar system, as he prefers to discuss the physical explorations done via probe and rover rather than the conceptual ones conducted through calculation, observation, and simulation. Scholars may find that choice unbalanced, but the result is accessible to a general audience. VERDICT This is a fine coffee-table book, suitable for either deep study or a few moments' perusal. Recommended for readers with a casual interest in the history of astronomy and the universe, or for sparking such an interest in others.-Marcia R. Franklin, St. Paul, MN (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
