Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer's Guide to the Universe

Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer's Guide to the Universe PDF Author: Philip Plait
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 0393867315
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 363

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Book Description
A Financial Times Best Science Book of 2023 • A Science News Favorite Book of 2023 • A Scientific American 2023 Staff Recommendation "The next-best thing to traveling through space and time." —Laura Helmuth, editor in chief of Scientific American A rip-roaring tour of the cosmos with the Bad Astronomer, bringing you up close and personal with the universe like never before. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel the universe? How would Saturn’s rings look from a spaceship sailing just above them? If you were falling into a black hole, what’s the last thing you’d see before getting spaghettified? While traveling in person to most of these amazing worlds may not be possible—yet—the would-be space traveler need not despair: you can still take the scenic route through the galaxy with renowned astronomer and science communicator Philip Plait. On this lively, immersive adventure through the cosmos, Plait draws ingeniously on both the latest scientific research and his prodigious imagination to transport you to ten of the most spectacular sights outer space has to offer. In vivid, inventive scenes informed by rigorous science—injected with a dose of Plait’s trademark humor—Under Alien Skies places you on the surface of alien worlds, from our own familiar Moon to the far reaches of our solar system and beyond. Try launching yourself onto a two-hundred-meter asteroid, or stargazing from the rim of an ancient volcano on a planet where, from the place you stand, it is eternally late afternoon. Experience the sudden onset of lunar nightfall, the disorientation of walking—or, rather, shuffling—when you weigh almost nothing, the irritation of jagged regolith dust. Glimpse the frigid mountains and plains of Pluto and the cake-like exterior of a comet called 67P. On a planet trillions of miles from Earth, glance down to see the strange, beautiful shadows cast by a hundred thousand stars. For the aspiring extraterrestrial citizen, casual space tourist, or curious armchair traveler, Plait is an illuminating, always-entertaining guide to the most otherworldly views in our universe.

Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer's Guide to the Universe

Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer's Guide to the Universe PDF Author: Philip Plait
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 0393867315
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 363

Get Book Here

Book Description
A Financial Times Best Science Book of 2023 • A Science News Favorite Book of 2023 • A Scientific American 2023 Staff Recommendation "The next-best thing to traveling through space and time." —Laura Helmuth, editor in chief of Scientific American A rip-roaring tour of the cosmos with the Bad Astronomer, bringing you up close and personal with the universe like never before. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel the universe? How would Saturn’s rings look from a spaceship sailing just above them? If you were falling into a black hole, what’s the last thing you’d see before getting spaghettified? While traveling in person to most of these amazing worlds may not be possible—yet—the would-be space traveler need not despair: you can still take the scenic route through the galaxy with renowned astronomer and science communicator Philip Plait. On this lively, immersive adventure through the cosmos, Plait draws ingeniously on both the latest scientific research and his prodigious imagination to transport you to ten of the most spectacular sights outer space has to offer. In vivid, inventive scenes informed by rigorous science—injected with a dose of Plait’s trademark humor—Under Alien Skies places you on the surface of alien worlds, from our own familiar Moon to the far reaches of our solar system and beyond. Try launching yourself onto a two-hundred-meter asteroid, or stargazing from the rim of an ancient volcano on a planet where, from the place you stand, it is eternally late afternoon. Experience the sudden onset of lunar nightfall, the disorientation of walking—or, rather, shuffling—when you weigh almost nothing, the irritation of jagged regolith dust. Glimpse the frigid mountains and plains of Pluto and the cake-like exterior of a comet called 67P. On a planet trillions of miles from Earth, glance down to see the strange, beautiful shadows cast by a hundred thousand stars. For the aspiring extraterrestrial citizen, casual space tourist, or curious armchair traveler, Plait is an illuminating, always-entertaining guide to the most otherworldly views in our universe.

Under Alien Skies

Under Alien Skies PDF Author: Phil Plait
Publisher: National Geographic Books
ISBN: 0393867307
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
A rip-roaring tour of the cosmos with the Bad Astronomer, revealing the sky as never seen before—from everywhere but Earth. How would Saturn’s rings look from a spaceship sailing just above them? If you were falling into a black hole, what’s the last thing you’d see before your spaghettification? What would it be like to visit the faraway places we currently experience only through high-powered telescopes and robotic emissaries? Faster-than-light travel may never be invented, but we can still take the scenic route through the universe with renowned astronomer and science communicator Philip Plait. On this lively, immersive adventure through the cosmos, Plait draws ingeniously on the latest scientific research to transport readers to ten spectacular sites, from our own familiar Moon to the outer reaches of our solar system and far beyond. Whether strolling through a dust storm under Mars’ butterscotch sky, witnessing the birth of a star, or getting dizzy in a technicolor nebula, Plait is an illuminating, entertaining guide to the most otherworldly views in our universe.

If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens ... WHERE IS EVERYBODY?

If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens ... WHERE IS EVERYBODY? PDF Author: Stephen Webb
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0387955011
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 294

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Book Description
In a 1950 conversation at Los Alamos, four world-class scientists generally agreed, given the size of the Universe, that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations must be present. But one of the four, Enrico Fermi, asked, "If these civilizations do exist, where is everybody?" Given the fact that there are perhaps 400 million stars in our Galaxy alone, and perhaps 400 million galaxies in the Universe, it stands to reason that somewhere out there, in the 14 billion-year-old cosmos, there is or once was a civilization at least as advanced as our own. Webb discusses in detail the 50 most cogent and intriguing solutions to Fermi's famous paradox.

The Vacation Guide to the Solar System

The Vacation Guide to the Solar System PDF Author: Olivia Koski
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1473546397
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 283

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Book Description
Selected as a Book of the Year 2017 in Sky at Night 'Just the thing to captivate a bright child or anyone, in fact, who aspires to be the next Tim Peake' Daily Telegraph AN IMAGINATIVE EXPLORATION INTO THE 'WHAT IF' OF SPACE TRAVEL Imagine taking a hike along the windswept red plains of Mars to dig for signs of life, or touring one of Jupiter’s sixty-four moons where you can take photos of its swirling storms. For a mini-break on a tight budget, the Moon is quite majestic and very quiet if you can make it during the off-season. Beautifully illustrated and packed with real-world science, The Vacation Guide to the Solar System is the essential planning guide for the curious space adventurer, covering all of the essentials for your next voyage, how to get there, and what to do when you arrive. Written by an astronomer from the American Museum of Natural History and one of the creators of the Guerilla Science collective, this tongue-in-cheek reference guide is an imaginative exploration into the ‘what if’ of space travel, sharing fascinating facts about the planets in our solar system and even some moons! 'SUPERB' BBC Sky at Night 'The ultimate guide for any budding space tourist' BBC Focus

Ghostwritten

Ghostwritten PDF Author: David Mitchell
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 0307426025
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 444

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Book Description
By the New York Times bestselling author of The Bone Clocks and Cloud Atlas A gallery attendant at the Hermitage. A young jazz buff in Tokyo. A crooked British lawyer in Hong Kong. A disc jockey in Manhattan. A physicist in Ireland. An elderly woman running a tea shack in rural China. A cult-controlled terrorist in Okinawa. A musician in London. A transmigrating spirit in Mongolia. What is the common thread of coincidence or destiny that connects the lives of these nine souls in nine far-flung countries, stretching across the globe from east to west? What pattern do their linked fates form through time and space? A writer of pyrotechnic virtuosity and profound compassion, a mind to which nothing human is alien, David Mitchell spins genres, cultures, and ideas like gossamer threads around and through these nine linked stories. Many forces bind these lives, but at root all involve the same universal longing for connection and transcendence, an axis of commonality that leads in two directions—to creation and to destruction. In the end, as lives converge with a fearful symmetry, Ghostwritten comes full circle, to a point at which a familiar idea—that whether the planet is vast or small is merely a matter of perspective—strikes home with the force of a new revelation. It marks the debut of a writer of astonishing gifts.

Alarms and Discursions

Alarms and Discursions PDF Author: Gilbert Keith Chesterton
Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
ISBN: 3849677664
Category : Literary Collections
Languages : en
Pages : 98

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Book Description
If Mr. Chesterton had been permitted to have his own way this handful of papers would have been sent out under the title of "Gargoyles." Perhaps the publisher foresaw horror upon the faces of really unimaginative readers when once brought face to face with a "monster" title; so it was changed to "Alarms and discursions," as indefinite and capable of possibilities as one could wish. "Fragments of futile journalism or fleeting impressions," Mr. Chesterton calls his essays. "This row of shapeless and ungainly monsters . . . does not consist of separate idols cut out capriciously in lonely valleys or various islands. These monsters are meant for the gargoyles of a definite cathedral. I have to carve the gargoyles, because I can carve nothing else; I leave to others the angels and the arches and the spires." Forty essays, in which excellent common sense and brilliantly phrased wisdom mingle with sheer nonsense.

Advice from the Isotope Queen

Advice from the Isotope Queen PDF Author: Marilyn Fogel
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 361

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Book Description
This book aims to appeal especially to readers with an interest in science, distilling complex concepts down to understandable explanations, focusing on stable isotopes - the extraordinary, invisible factor that binds all of these questions together: How do we find out if there is life on other planets? How can life survive in extreme conditions? How can we track migration in people and animals? How do humans change climate on continental scales? My memoir will show what it's like to be at the forefront of investigating these fascinating questions; making new discoveries whilst challenging both established authorities and gender roles, surviving and thriving as a woman in a male-dominated field. And finally, what happens when life throws you the ultimate curve ball of a cruel disease just when you've managed to smash through the glass ceiling.

Fake Plastic Love

Fake Plastic Love PDF Author: Kimberley Tait
Publisher:
ISBN: 1250093899
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 353

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Book Description
"When M. meets Belle at Dartmouth, they become the unlikeliest best friends. Belle is an unapologetic Romantic famous on campus for her bright red accessories and hundred-watt smile, while M. is a tomboyish Realist who insists she’ll always prefer her signet ring to any diamond. Despite their differences, they are drawn together, and after graduation they both move to New York with all the unfounded confidence of twenty-two. M. secures a job at the city’s most prestigious investment bank, and Belle turns her nostalgic aesthetic into one of the first lifestyle blogs, which quickly goes viral. Their future is spread before them, a glittering tableau of vintage cocktails, password-guarded parties, and high-octane ambition. But as they are pulled deeper into their new lives, and into the charming orbit of their Gatsby-esque new friend, Jeremy, style and substance—and dreams and reality—increasingly blur. In this fake plastic world, what do success and love and happiness even look like?"--

The Blue Castle

The Blue Castle PDF Author: Lucy Maud Montgomery
Publisher: Librofilio
ISBN: 2384613154
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 246

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Book Description
"The Blue Castle" by Lucy Maud Montgomery is a charming and uplifting novel that enchants readers with its tale of transformation and self-discovery. Set in the early 20th century, the story follows the journey of Valancy Stirling, a timid and repressed woman who dares to break free from societal expectations. Valancy's mundane life takes an unexpected turn when she receives a terminal medical diagnosis. Liberated by the news, she defies her overbearing family and seizes the opportunity to live life on her terms. Escaping to the enchanting Mistawis Valley, she discovers a hidden world of adventure, romance, and newfound confidence. As Valancy embraces her newfound freedom, she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Barney Snaith, a man with a mysterious past. Their unexpected connection and burgeoning romance challenge Valancy to redefine her identity and overcome her fears. Montgomery's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions paint a picturesque backdrop for Valancy's journey of self-discovery. The novel delves into themes of empowerment, love, and the pursuit of happiness, as Valancy transforms from a timid young woman into a spirited individual who carves her path in a world that once confined her. "The Blue Castle" is a heartening and beautifully written story that celebrates the transformative power of taking risks, finding one's voice, and embracing the fullness of life. Montgomery's rich characters and captivating narrative make this novel a timeless and inspiring read for those seeking a tale of empowerment and the pursuit of happiness. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lucy Maud Montgomery, a literary enchantress born in 1874 on the serene Prince Edward Island, Canada, gifted the world with her timeless tales. Her childhood, marked by challenges, was illuminated by an unmatched imagination. From a young age, she found solace and expression in writing, crafting stories that would later captivate hearts globally. Montgomery's most beloved creation, 'Anne of Green Gables,' introduced readers to the spirited orphan Anne Shirley, a character who embodied resilience, imagination, and the quest for kindred spirits. Montgomery's lush descriptions of the island's landscapes and her poignant exploration of human emotions wove a spell that endures to this day. Beyond her literary prowess, she navigated life's complexities with grace and determination, paving the way for female authors. Her words, often inspired by personal experiences, celebrated the power of dreams and the beauty of the ordinary. Lucy Maud Montgomery remains a cherished literary luminary, an eternal reminder that stories have the magic to transport us to worlds where our hearts find their true home.

About This Life

About This Life PDF Author: Barry López
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 9780099546153
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
In About This Life. Barry Lopez takes us on a literal and figurative journey across the terrain of autobiography, assembling essays of wisdom and insight. Here is far flung travel (the beauty of remote Hokkaido Island, the over-explored Galapagos, enigmatic Bonaire); a naturalist's contention (Why does our society inevitably strip political power from people with intimate knowledge of the land - small-scale farmers. Native Americans, Eskimos, cowboys?); and pure adventure (a dizzying series of around-the-world journeys with air freight - everything from penguins to pianos). And here, too, are seven exquisite memory pieces - hauntingly lyrical yet unsentimental recollections that represent Lopez's most personal work to date, and which will be read as classics of the personal essay for years to come.