The Secret Life of Space
Published on 14. May 2015
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-1-78131-393-0 (ISBN)
Description
The Secret Life of Space is the definitive guide to understanding the key breakthroughs and discoveries mankind has made to unravel the mysteries of the Cosmos. This engaging and fast-paced narrative debunks the urban myths of astronomy, revealing the true stories behind our biggest breakthroughs. Starting with the discovery that Stonehenge was actually built to celebrate the winter solstice rather than the summer, this book leads us through history to reveal that the telescope was not invented by Galileo, Einstein did not predict the presence of black holes or the Big Bang and Copernicus' s theory that the Sun was at the centre of the Universe might have actually disappeared without a trace had it not been for the efforts of one of his fanatical disciples.
Renowned scientists and authors Nigel Henbest and Heather Couper also uncover the unsung heroes and heroines who have been overlooked in the history of scientific endeavor. These stories include the computer engineer who discovered more exploding stars in his back garden than anyone else in history, the teacher who developed the basis for radio astronomy and the sanitary engineer who found evidence of life on Mars. Finally, they look to today' s increasing possibility of space travel as we push the frontiers of discovery and ask the perennial question, is there life out there?
Renowned scientists and authors Nigel Henbest and Heather Couper also uncover the unsung heroes and heroines who have been overlooked in the history of scientific endeavor. These stories include the computer engineer who discovered more exploding stars in his back garden than anyone else in history, the teacher who developed the basis for radio astronomy and the sanitary engineer who found evidence of life on Mars. Finally, they look to today' s increasing possibility of space travel as we push the frontiers of discovery and ask the perennial question, is there life out there?
Reviews / Votes
'... a non-stop tour of all the big moments in the history of Western astronomy. ... it's a great introduction to major stories, revealing the personalities behind the names known otherwise as those of satellites, theorems and equations. ... an entertaining read...' The strength of this book is its focus on the individuals who have contributed to our understanding of the universe ...this is a good introduction for the general reader and an entertaining miscellany for armchair astronomers." '... a non-stop tour of all the big moments in the history of Western astronomy. ... it's a great introduction to major stories, revealing the personalities behind the names known otherwise as those of satellites, theorems and equations. ... an entertaining read...'
The strength of this book is its focus on the individuals who have contributed to our understanding of the universe ...
this is a good introduction for the general reader and an entertaining miscellany for armchair astronomers."
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Quarto Publishing PLC
Illustrations
8 page colour plate section
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78131-393-0 (9781781313930)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Heather Couper | Nigel Henbest
The Secret Life of Space
E-Book
05/2015
Aurum
€25.49
Available for download
Persons
HEATHER COUPER is best known for her television work which has raised the profile of astronomy in the public eye. As well as writing numerous books and articles, Professor Couper was the President of the British Astronomical Association from 1984-1986 and is a Fellow of both the Royal Astronomical Society and the Institute of Physics: Asteroid 3922 Heather is named in her honour. In 2008 she presented Cosmic Quest, a 30-part series on the history of astronomy BBC Radio 4. She was awarded the CBE for services to science in 2007. NIGEL HENBEST is a leading science writer, specialising in astronomy and space. He is a prolific author, having written 40 books and over 1000 articles which have been translated into 27 languages, as well as writing and producing many international television programmes on the Universe. Professor Henbest has been Astronomy Consultant for New Scientist magazine, editor of the Journal of the British Astronomical Associationand media consultant for the Royal Greenwich Observatory. A respected commentator on human spaceflight, he is signed up as a future astronaut with Virgin Galactic.