Starwatchers
A History of Discovery in the Night Sky
1st Edition
Published on 19. June 2025
272 pages
978-1-5266-0802-4 (ISBN)
Description
'An exhilarating exploration of how we've been touched by the cosmos across human history' LEWIS DARTNELL
'Combines scientific expertise with vivid storytelling and a childlike wonder that shines on every page' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
What draws us to the night sky and how can we make sense of all that lies there?
In this unique synthesis of science and culture, former astrophysicist and writer Joanne Baker charts the global history of humanity's relationship with the cosmos. Starting with the nearby Moon before venturing through the solar system to the stars and beyond, she unveils a rich mosaic of stories and research that illuminate the significance of celestial bodies in our everyday lives.
It is a history that transcends borders and cultural traditions, taking us from Mesopotamian moon worship to the science fiction of H. G. Wells and the discovery of black holes. Driven by a personal quest to understand the universe as more than just an abstract mathematical realm, Baker also includes her own sparkling first-hand experiences - from watching a total solar eclipse in Idaho to visiting an ancient observatory in Samarkand.
Starwatchers invites readers on an extraordinary journey through space that interrogates the boundaries of our earthly existence and encourages us to reflect on how we project meaning onto the skies.
'Combines scientific expertise with vivid storytelling and a childlike wonder that shines on every page' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
What draws us to the night sky and how can we make sense of all that lies there?
In this unique synthesis of science and culture, former astrophysicist and writer Joanne Baker charts the global history of humanity's relationship with the cosmos. Starting with the nearby Moon before venturing through the solar system to the stars and beyond, she unveils a rich mosaic of stories and research that illuminate the significance of celestial bodies in our everyday lives.
It is a history that transcends borders and cultural traditions, taking us from Mesopotamian moon worship to the science fiction of H. G. Wells and the discovery of black holes. Driven by a personal quest to understand the universe as more than just an abstract mathematical realm, Baker also includes her own sparkling first-hand experiences - from watching a total solar eclipse in Idaho to visiting an ancient observatory in Samarkand.
Starwatchers invites readers on an extraordinary journey through space that interrogates the boundaries of our earthly existence and encourages us to reflect on how we project meaning onto the skies.
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
ISBN-13
978-1-5266-0802-4 (9781526608024)
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
Book
01/2026
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
€14.00
Available immediately
Book
06/2025
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
€27.50
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
Joanne Baker is a writer and editor. She holds a PhD in astrophysics from the University of Sydney and master's degrees in natural sciences and landscape architecture from the Universities of Cambridge and Greenwich. Baker has a background in astronomy research, where she studied quasars, black holes, galaxy evolution, and cosmology. She has been a NASA Hubble Fellow at the University of California, a Royal Society University Research Fellow at the University of Oxford and a Radcliffe Fellow at Harvard University. She has written three books on physics and edited for Nature and Science magazines.
