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“Weird Worlds” is the third book in David Seargent's “Weird” series. This book assumes a basic level of astronomical understanding and concentrates on the “odd and interesting” aspects of planetary bodies, including asteroids and moons. From our viewpoint here on Earth, this work features the most unusual features of these worlds and the ways in which they appear “weird” to us. Within our own Solar System, odd facts such as the apparent reversal of the Sun in the skies of Mercury, CO2-driven fountains of dust on Mars, possible liquid water (and perhaps primitive life!) deep within the dwarf planet Ceres, and a variety of odd facts about the planetary moons are all discussed. A special chapter is devoted to Saturn's giant moon Titan, and its methane-based weather system and “hydrological” cycle. This chapter also includes recent speculation on the possibility of methane-based organisms and the form that these might take, if they really do exist. Beyond our Solar System, the book looks at the range of worlds discovered and hypothesized. In “Weird Worlds,” the author discusses planets where temperatures are so high that it rains molten iron, and others so cold that liquid methane floods across plains of ice! Worlds are described where the lightest element acts like a metal and where winds blow at thousands of miles per hour – as well as possible planets whose orbits are essentially parabolic. In keeping with previous titles in David Seargent's “Weird” series, “Weird Worlds” contains several projects that astronomers of all levels can undertake.

Discover how to find constellations like the Royal Family group or those near Orion the Hunter from season to season throughout the year How to use the Sea of Crises as your guidepost for further explorations on the moon's surface Investigate deep sky wonders, extra solar planets, and beyond as God's creation comes alive! Think you know all there is to know about our solar system? You might be surprised at some of the amazing details that you find when you begin Exploring the World of Astronomy! From the rugged surface of the moon to the distant and mysterious constellations, this book provides an exciting educational tour for students of different ages and skill levels. Learn about a blue moon, the 400-year storm on Jupiter, and what is meant by'the zone of life.'Discussion ideas, questions, and research opportunities help expand this great resource on observational astronomy into an unforgettable educational course for middle school to high school students!

There are at least 48 identified prehistoric stone circles in Scotland. In truth, very little is known about the people who erected them, and ultimately about what the stone circles were for. Most stone circles are astronomically aligned, which has led to the modern debate about why the alignment was significant. The megaliths certainly represented an enormous co-operative effort, would at the very least have demonstrated power and wealth, and being set away from any dwellings probably served a ceremonial, or perhaps religious, purpose. Observations at the site of the stone circles, of solar, lunar, and stellar events, have already cast light on some of the questions about the construction and use of ancient megalithic observatories. In his capacity as manager of the Parks Department Astronomy Project, author Duncan Lunan designed and built the first astronomically aligned stone circle in Britain in over 3,000 years.'The Stones and the Stars'examines the case for astronomical alignments of stone circles, and charts the development of a fascinating project with a strong scientific and historical background. The work was documented in detail by the artist and photographer Gavin Roberts, and this archive has been added to since - so an appropriate selection of illustrations will bring the project vividly to life.

A level 3 Oxford Bookworms Library graded reader. Written for Learners of English by Tim Vicary. Is there anyone who has not looked at the dark sky, and the shining points of light above us, and asked themselves questions about what is out there? Where did our planet come from? When did the universe begin? Could we live on another planet? And one question above all - is there life anywhere else in space? Begin a journey into space - where spacecraft travel at thousands of kilometres an hour, temperatures are millions of degrees, and a planet may be hard rock - or a ball of gas. In space, everything is extraordinary...

The Sun, which is our own star at the center of the Solar System, gives rise to all life on Earth and is the driver of photosynthesis in plants and the source of all food and energy for living things. As seen with the naked eye, the Sun appears as a static and quiet yellow disk in the sky. However, it is a stormy and ever-changing star that contributes much more than light and heat. For example, it is the source of the beautiful northern lights and can affect our technology-based society in many ways. Our Explosive Sun: A Visual Feast of our Source of Light and Life is a great introduction to the Sun for general readers as well as scientists who are not solar physicists. The book presents the basic properties of the Sun, describes how it has fascinated humans throughout history, and shows how it influences our current technologies. The book includes a large number of illustrations and video materials for SpringerExtras, along with a PowerPoint presentation that provides a useful resource for teachers and lectures.

Reach for the stars Stargazing is the practice of observing the night sky and its contents - from constellations through to planets and galaxies. Stars and other night sky objects can be seen with the naked eye, or seen in greater numbers and in more detail with binoculars or a telescope. Stargazing For Dummies offers you the chance to explore the night sky, providing a detailed guide to the main constellations and also offering advice on viewing other night sky objects such as planets and nebulae. It's a great introduction to a fun new hobby, and even provides a fun way to get the kids outside while doing something educational! Gives you an introduction to looking at the sky with binoculars or a telescope Offers advice on photographing the night sky Without needing to get your head around mind-bending theories, you can take part in some practical physics If you're looking for easy-to-follow guidance on getting to know the night sky, Stargazing For Dummies has you covered.

This book was written for my daughter, Julia; her love and comfort have helped sustain me. It is a pleasure to watch Julia noticing details of every­ thing around her. Children and other curious people perceive worlds that are invisible to most of us. Here we describe some of these natural unseen worlds, from the hid­ den heart of the Sun to our transparent air. They have been discovered and explored through the space-age extension of our senses. A mere half-century ago astronomers were able to view the cosmos only in visible light. Modern technology has now widened the range of our perception to include the invisible realms of subatomic particles, magnetic fields, radio waves, ultraviolet radiation and X-rays. They are broadening and sharpening our vision of the Sun, and providing a more complete description of the Earth's environment. Thus, a marvelous new cosmos is now unfolding and opening up, as new instruments give us the eyes to see the invisible and hands to touch what cannot be felt.

Gazing up at the heavens from our backyards or a nearby field, most of us see an undifferentiated mess of stars—if, that is, we can see anything at all through the glow of light pollution. Today's casual observer knows far less about the sky than did our ancestors, who depended on the sun and the moon to tell them the time and on the stars to guide them through the seas. Nowadays, we don't need the sky, which is good, because we've made it far less accessible, hiding it behind the skyscrapers and the excessive artificial light of our cities. How We See the Sky gives us back our knowledge of the sky, offering a fascinating overview of what can be seen there without the aid of a telescope. Thomas Hockey begins by scanning the horizon, explaining how the visible universe rotates through this horizon as night turns to day and season to season. Subsequent chapters explore the sun's and moon's respective motions through the celestial globe, as well as the appearance of solstices, eclipses, and planets, and how these are accounted for in different kinds of calendars. In every chapter, Hockey introduces the common vocabulary of today's astronomers, uses examples past and present to explain them, and provides conceptual tools to help newcomers understand the topics he discusses. Packed with illustrations and enlivened by historical anecdotes and literary references, How We See the Sky reacquaints us with the wonders to be found in our own backyards.

Today we know what no previous generation knew: the history of the universe and of the unfolding of life on Earth. Through the astonishing combined achievements of natural scientists worldwide, we now have a detailed account of how galaxies and stars, planets and living organisms, human beings and human consciousness came to be. And yet... we thirst for answers to questions that have haunted humanity from the very beginning. What is our place in the 14-billion-year history of the universe? What roles do we play in Earth's history? How do we connect with the intricate web of life on Earth?In Journey of the Universe Brian Thomas Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker tell the epic story of the universe from an inspired new perspective, weaving the findings of modern science together with enduring wisdom found in the humanistic traditions of the West, China, India, and indigenous peoples. The authors explore cosmic evolution as a profoundly wondrous process based on creativity, connection, and interdependence, and they envision an unprecedented opportunity for the world's people to address the daunting ecological and social challenges of our times.Journey of the Universe transforms how we understand our origins and envision our future. Though a little book, it tells a big story—one that inspires hope for a way in which Earth and its human civilizations could flourish together.This book is part of a larger project that includes a documentary film, an educational DVD series, and a website. The film and the DVD series will be released in 2011. For more information, please consult the website, journeyoftheuniverse.org.

Drawing on his vast knowledge and direct experience of most of the key events in astronomy and space exploration during this century, Patrick Moore takes a sideways look at the historical reports and contemporary thought behind a wide range of astronomical topics. The Wandering Astronomer presents his personal accounts of the towering characters of

Solo fino a vent'anni fa, un filmato dell'attività cromosferica della nostra stella, dell'evoluzione di una protuberanza o di un gruppo di macchie, era prerogativa dell'astronomo professionista, dotato di un telescopio di buon diametro sito in un Osservatorio solare d'alta quota. Ai nostri giorni, i progressi dell'elettronica e dell'informatica mettono l'astrofilo nelle condizioni di realizzarlo da sé, con un telescopio amatoriale e un'economica webcam. Questo libro, mentre aggiorna l'astrofilo sulle più recenti tecniche nello studio del Sole, rappresenta un ottimo trattato sulla nostra stella, sul suo funzionamento, sulle fenomenologie che interessano la sua atmosfera. Lo stile è divulgativo, ma rigoroso. I consigli osservativi sono frutto di una ventennale esperienza dell'autore quale membro del Sunspot Program dell'AAVSO.

The night sky is positively teeming with wonders, from star clusters and nebulae to quasars. Astronomy is the means by which these and other similar phenomena are discovered and observed. This stellar resource traces the path of modern astronomy, from initial efforts to map the heavens to today's use of high-tech telescopic devices that help people delve deeper into celestial discovery.

The official guide to the science behind the Battlestar Galactica universe Battlestar Galactica (BSG) has been called the best show on television, and as real as science fiction gets. It has dealt with issues of religious freedom, patriotism, terrorism, genetic engineering, and the ultimate science fiction question: what does it mean to be human? While the re-imagined BSG may not be packed with cool techie tools (the bad guys don't even have laser guns for frak's sake!), this book shows that the science in the series has a lot to say about the use of science and technology in our lives today. What are the principles behind artificial gravity and sublight propulsion? Are Cylons men or machines? How are humanoid Cylons able to interface with computers? By tackling these and other intriguing questions, The Science of Battlestar Galactica takes us billions of miles away from Earth so that we can turn around and see ourselves from a different perspective. Tackles fans'most pressing BSG questions, from how an FTL drive might work to how the 12 colonies of Kobol could co-exist to the principles behind Gaius Baltar's Cylon-detector Features behind-the-scenes anecdotes, quotes from the BSG Series Bible, and over 60 photos Includes a foreword by BSG co-executive producer, Jane Espenson, and an afterword by actor, Richard Hatch, who played Tom Zarek in the reimagined series and Captain Apollo in the classic series Co-written by BSG's scientific advisor and a Wired contributing editor Packed with must-know details and scientific background, this thought-provoking book will help you see Battlestar Galactica as never before.

From dramatic lunar eclipses to brilliant comets, the night sky fascinates people. Brimming with beautiful color photos, this book walks you through everything you need to know to maximize your enjoyment of astronomy, from choosing a telescope to identifying constellations and planets. Whether you're a student, hobbyist, or lifelong stargazer, you can turn to this book for practical guidance on observing stars, planets, moons, and galaxies; tracking meteors, comets, and eclipses; choosing tools for viewing; and photographing the skies. Helpful star maps, charts, and timetables bring the sky to life!

A breathtaking account of how the surrounding cosmos impacts life on EarthDid you know that as you read these words showers of high-speed particles from exploding stars are raining down on you? As you gaze into the starry sky, you might feel isolated from the Universe around you—but you're not. This book reveals the startling ways life on Earth is touched by our cosmic environment, and demonstrates why without such contact, life itself wouldn't be possible.Heaven's Touch embarks on an unforgettable journey across the cosmos, beginning in near space with a look at the gentle ebb and flow of lunar and solar tides. Acclaimed astronomer James Kaler describes their subtle effects on our world and also explores the Sun's more potent influences, such as solar storms that cause auroras, give comets their tails, and knock out power grids on Earth. He ventures across the Solar System to consider how the planets can act to produce climate change, even global disaster. Kaler shows how Jupiter's gravity can throw asteroids toward potentially devastating collision with Earth, and how even our whole Galaxy might hurl comet storms at us. He then takes us into deepest space to describe the cosmic rays launched at us from exploding stars, and considers not just how these exploders might harm us, but how they also join together in the creation of stars and how they serve to populate the Universe with the very building blocks of life.Informative and entertaining, Heaven's Touch reveals how intimately connected we really are with the dynamic Universe in which we live.

L'astronomie serait une discipline réservée aux spécialistes et à des gens qui ont la tête dans les étoiles. C'est faux! Grâce au Cahier Découverte Astronomie, testez vos connaissances et découvrez les petits et grands secrets de l'univers. Suivez votre étoile et laissez-vous guider pour ce voyage plein de surprises au cœur de notre galaxie… À partager en famille ou avec des amis! La construction de ce cahier ludique ravira petits et grands! Chacune des vingt séquences présente 5 à 6 questions, jeux ou exercices : -Quizz -Vrai ou faux -Qu'est ce c'est? -Culture générale Dessins, photos magnifiques du ciel et de l'espace, schémas d'explications…

Your comprehensive guide to remarkable achievements in space Do you long to explore the universe? This plain-English, fully illustrated guide explains the great discoveries and advancements in space exploration throughout history, from early astronomers to the International Space Station. You'll learn about the first satellites, rockets, and people in space; explore space programs around the world; and ponder the controversial question: Why continue to explore space? Take a quick tour of astronomy — get to know the solar system and our place in the galaxy, take a crash course in rocket science, and live a day in the life of an astronaut Run the Great Space Race — trace the growth of the Space Age from Sputnik to the Apollo moon landings and meet the robots that explored the cosmos Watch as space exploration matures — from the birth of the Space Shuttle to the creation of the Mir Space Station to successes and failures in Mars exploration, see how space programs reached new levels Journey among the planets — check out the discoveries made during historic voyages to the inner and outer reaches of the solar system Understand current exploration — review the telescopes in space, take a tour of the International Space Station, and see the latest sights on Mars Look into the future — learn about upcoming space missions and increased access to space travel Open the book and find: Descriptions of space milestones and future missions An easy-to-follow chronological structure Color and black-and-white photos The nitty-gritty details of becoming an astronaut A grand tour of the solar system through space missions Explanations of tragedies and narrow escapes Facts on the creation of space stations by NASA and the USSR Ten places to look for life beyond Earth

Ce guide d'initiation simple et accessible aborde les notions principales de l'astronomie, donne des pistes pour choisir un instrument en fonction de ce que l'on souhaite observer (objets du système solaire ou ciel profond), de son budget et de son lieu d'habitation (ville ou campagne), et fournit les conseils essentiels pour réussir ses premières observations. Le lecteur apprend ainsi à régler son instrument, se repérer dans le ciel, pointer ce qu'il souhaite observer et le conserver dans son viseur, etc. Pour ceux qui désirent aller plus loin, un dernier chapitre introduit les différentes techniques de l'astrophotographie. Destiné aux néophytes, cet ouvrage facile à lire et très pédagogique accompagnera les premières sorties nocturnes grâce à son format poche. Depuis 1996, Vincent Jean Victor est spécialisé dans le conseil et la vente de matériel d'astronomie. Il forme ses pairs dans ce domaine et anime régulièrement des soirées d'observation autour de Nantes.

Translation of: Les cadrans solaires.

Shortly after its inauguration in 1985 the Birla Science Centre, Hyderabad, India, started a series of lectures by Nobel Laureates and other scientists of international renown, usually in Physics and Astronomy, sometimes in Life Sciences and Chemistry. The present collection mostly consists of lectures on frontier topics. The transcript of each lecture is preceded by a short biography of the Nobel Laureate/Scientist in question. The lectures are aimed at, and accessible to a wide non-specialist but higher educated audience.

Includes index.

A highly entertaining and informative introduction to our planet and the universe we live in.Have you ever wondered what dark matter is or why galaxies collide? Or why the Moon is gradually drifting away from Earth? Space is really, really big, as Douglas Adams once pointed out, and there is no better guide to it than Fred Watson, astronomer to the stars.Fred Watson has taken the many, many questions that have been asked by listeners of his popular, long-running radio shows, and answered them in Why Is Uranus Upside Down?• How can you identify the constellations?• Does the Earth wobble?• Could you dump nuclear waste into the Sun?• What makes planets round?• Where's the nearest black hole?• Are there other universes?• Can we ever know everything?This highly entertaining and informative introduction to our planet and the Universe we live in is a must-read for enquiring minds of all ages.

Astronomy For Beginners is a friendly and accessible guide to our universe, our galaxy, our solar system and the planet we call home. Each year as we cruise through space on this tiny blue-green wonder, a number of amazing and remarkable events occur. For example, like clockwork, we'll run head-on into asteroid and cometary debris that spreads shooting stars across our skies. On occasion, we'll get to watch the disk of the Moon passing the Sun, casting its shadow on the face of the Earth, and sometimes we'll get to watch our own shadow as it glides across the face of the Moon. The Sun's path will constantly change across the daytime sky, as will the stars and constellations at night. During this time, we'll also get to watch the other majestic planets in our solar system wander the skies, as they too circle the Sun in this elaborate celestial dance.Astronomy For Beginners will explain this elaborate celestial dance – the patterns of the heavens, the equinoxes and the solstices, the major meteor showers, and the solar and lunar eclipses. In addition, Astronomy For Beginners will also take you on a guided tour of the solar system and beyond. We'll discover how the way we measure time itself is intimately related to celestial phenomena, and we'll furthermore explore our historical and continuing mission to understand our place in this marvelous universe in which we find ourselves.Oh yeah, one more thing: Astronomy For Beginners will not only help you become an expert in space and time – but it also promises to be a pretty fun ride!

I was delighted to be invited by my colleagues Alessandra Celletti and Ettore Perozzi to provide a foreword to their book, Celestial Mechanics: The Waltz of the Planets. Having known them for many years and long admired their work in the subject so many of us love and are fascinated by, 1 read with great attention and pleasure the text when it arrived. It is a formidable task they have set themselves, to provide a book that describes attempts by successive generations of astronomers from the dawn of history five millennia ago to observe, record and understand the phenomena of the heavens, particularly the intricate and perplexing behaviour of the planets. Sun and Moon. As naked eye astronomy became aided by the telescope and the photographic plate, and since the middle of the twentieth century, by instruments launched on spacecraft into circum- Earth orbit or to the Moon and planets and beyond, the discovery of new satellites, scores of them, and ring systems displaying new and initially perplexing behaviour also demanded explanations for that behaviour. It is also the inspiring story of science itself with special reference to how lonely individuals, impelled by curiosity and dedicated to seeking the truth, and nothing but the truth, about the fascinating phenomena of nature, ultimately became accepted as scientists, those players in the most successful endeavour ever engaged in by the human race.

Most amateur astronomers yearn to observe more frequently. Many of them, however, live in urban and highly developed suburban areas that are heavily light polluted. Due to this light pollution, they are under the impression that deep sky objects - nebulae, galaxies, star clusters- are either invisible or not worth viewing from home. This book describes the many objects that can be seen in a bright urban sky, and shows the city or suburban astronomer how to observe object after object, season after season. This book covers the'why,''how,'and'what'of astronomy under light-polluted skies. The prospective city-based observer is told why to observe from home (there are hundreds of spectacular objects to be seen from the average urban site), how to observe the city sky (telescopes, accessories, and moderns techniques), and what to observe. About 50% of the book is devoted to describing'tours'of the sky, with physical and observational descriptions, at-the-eyepiece drawings, and photographs.

any popular books upon astronomy have been written during the Mpast few years, but most of them cater either for the casual dabbler who is content to learn from the depths of his armchair or else for the serious amateur who already knows the main facts.What I have done, or tried to do, is to strike a happy mean. This book has been aimed at the needs of the beginner who knows nothing whatsoever,but who is nevertheless anxious to make a start with what equipment he can collect at limited cost. All astronomers,professional or amateur,were beginners once,and all have had to draw upon the experience of those who have learned before them.I feel some dif?dence about offering myself as a guide,but at least I have one quali?cation: in my early days as an observer I made almost every mistake that it is possible to make! This explains the frequent occurrence of such phrases as “I once saw.…”and “I rem- ber that when I.…” I hope therefore that what I have written may prevent others from falling into the same ridiculous traps.

THE FAST AND PAINLESS WAY TO GRASP THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BASIC ASTRONOMY... WITHOUT FORMAL TRAINING Want to master astronomy or aerospace engineering but are intimidated by the complex formulas and equations? Tried other self-teaching guides but were turned off by the dry, complicated presentation? Problem solved! Astronomy Demystified is a totally different, very entertaining, and amazingly effective way to learn the mathematics, fundamentals, and general concepts of astronomy. With Astronomy Demystified, you ease into the subject one simple step at a time – at your own speed. Unlike most other books on the topic, general concepts are presented first – and the details follow. In order to make the learning process as clear and simple as possible, heavy-duty math, formulas, and equations are kept at a minimum. THIS UNIQUE, SELF-TEACHING TEXT OFFERS: • Questions at the end of every chapter and section to reinforce learning and pinpoint your weaknesses • A 100-question final exam for self-assessment • Tips on how to get the most out of observational tools such as binoculars and telescopes • Discussion of the special problems associated with observing the sky at “invisible wavelengths” • An easy way to understand the math involved in astronomy Simple enough for a beginner but comprehensive enough for an advanced student, Astronomy Demystified is your short cut to understanding the heavens.

Advance praise for Philip Plait s Bad Astronomy'Bad Astronomy is just plain good! Philip Plait clears up every misconception on astronomy and space you never knew you suffered from.'--Stephen Maran, Author of Astronomy for Dummies and editor of The Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia'Thank the cosmos for the bundle of star stuff named Philip Plait, who is the world s leading consumer advocate for quality science in space and on Earth. This important contribution to science will rest firmly on my reference library shelf, ready for easy access the next time an astrologer calls.'--Dr. Michael Shermer, Publisher of Skeptic magazine, monthly columnist for Scientific American, and author of The Borderlands of Science'Philip Plait has given us a readable, erudite, informative, useful, and entertaining book. Bad Astronomy is Good Science. Very good science...'--James'The Amazing'Randi, President, James Randi Educational Foundation, and author of An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural'Bad Astronomy is a fun read. Plait is wonderfully witty and educational as he debunks the myths, legends, and'conspiracies that abound in our society.'The Truth Is Out There'and it's in this book. I loved it!'--Mike Mullane, Space Shuttle astronaut and author of Do Your Ears Pop in Space?

Includes index.

Have you ever wondered what that bright point of light twinkling near the horizon is, or just when you can expect to see the best shooting stars of the year? A Skywatcher's Year has answers to these and other questions about what is visible in the night sky throughout the year. Through 52 articles arranged week by week, A Skywatcher's Year guides you to celestial events and phenomena that occur or are visible with the naked eye and binoculars for each week of the year. It acquaints you not only with up-to-date astronomical information on stars, nebulae, meteors, the Milky Way, and galaxies, but also conveys the beauty and wonder of the night sky. Covering both the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere, A Skywatcher's Year helps readers find prominent stars and constellations, bright star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, and explains how and when to observe prominent annual meteor showers.

Seven years before Richard Preston wrote about horrifying viruses in The Hot Zone, he turned his attention to the cosmos. In First Light, he demonstrates his gift for creating an exciting and absorbing narrative around a complex scientific subject--in this case the efforts by astronomers at the Palomar Observatory in the San Gabriel Mountains of California to peer to the farthest edges of space through the Hale Telescope, attempting to solve the riddle of the creation of the universe.Richard Preston's name became a household word with The Hot Zone, which sold nearly 800,000 copies in hardcover, was on The New York Times's bestseller list for 42 weeks, and was the subject of countless magazine and newspaper articles. Preston has become a sought-after commentator on popular science subjects.

Renowned astronomer Carl Sagan's classic bestseller that “dives into the past, present, and future of science, dealing with the mind-staggering enormity of the cosmos in which we exist” (Associated Press)—with an Introduction by Ann Druyan and a Foreword by Neil deGrasse Tyson “Sagan dazzles the mind with the miracle of our survival, framed by the stately galaxies of space.”—Cosmopolitan THE INSPIRATION FOR THE FOX MINISERIES COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS, HOSTED BY NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON AND STARRING SETH MACFARLANE AND SIR PATRICK STEWART In clear-eyed prose, Carl Sagan reveals a jewel-like blue world inhabited by a life form that is just beginning to discover its own identity and to venture into the vast ocean of space. Featuring full-color illustrations, Cosmos retraces the fourteen billion years of cosmic evolution that have transformed matter into consciousness, exploring such topics as the origin of life, the human brain, Egyptian hieroglyphics, spacecraft missions, the death of the Sun, the evolution of galaxies, and the forces and individuals who helped shape modern science.

Le livre de Jean-René Roy nous présente une vaste synthèse des connaissances présentes en astronomie. Le grand mérite du livre est de dérouler son sujet en parallèle avec une histoire de l'astronomie. Le côté historique est ici beaucoup plus qu'un luxe. Il redonne leurs dimensions vraies aux réponses qu'apporte l'astronomie. Pour bien sentir la nature d'une étape franchie, il faut aussi avoir vécu la situation telle qu'elle se présentait avant. Et les fiches personnelles incluses dans le livre ont l'intérêt de nous rapprocher encore plus du feu de l'action. Écrit dans un style direct et parfois humoristique, le développement de l'astronomie prend ici l'allure d'un grand roman d'aventures…