A NASA science educator showcases important objects in space history from Galileo's telescope to the Curiosity rover: "Will fascinate readers of any age." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)This book examines 100 objects that forever altered what we know and how we think about the cosmos. From an ancient Mayan codex to Sputnik to Skylab and into the twenty-first century, some objects are iconic and some obscure—but all are utterly important.T...

On March 13, 1989, the entire Quebec power grid collapsed, automatic garage doors in California suburbs began to open and close without apparent reason, and microchip production came to a halt in the Northeast; in space, communications satellites had to be manually repointed after flipping upside down, and pressure readings on hydrogen tank supplies on board the Space Shuttle Discovery peaked, causing NASA to consider aborting the mission. What was the cause of all these seemingly disparat...

Explore the incredible science and philosophy of time in this illustrated guide, written by NASA astronomer and educator Sten Odenwald.Time is one of the great mysteries of the universe, which the scientific method is now endeavouring to pin down. Odenwald brings to life the philosophical and scientific conundrums about time in simple and accessible language. Covering subjects such as relativity, the arrow of time, entropy, Einstein's idea of the block universe, an...

On March 13, 1989, the entire Quebec power grid collapsed, automatic garage doors in California suburbs began to open and close without apparent reason, and microchip production came to a halt in the Northeast; in space, communications satellites had to be manually repointed after flipping upside down, and pressure readings on hydrogen tank supplies on board the Space Shuttle Discovery peaked, causing NASA to consider aborting the mission. What was the cause of all these seemingly disparat...

Time is one of the great mysteries of the universe. In this fascinating volume, NASA astronomer and educator Sten Odenwald brings to life the philosophical and scientific conundrums about time in simple and accessible language.Covering subjects such as relativity, the arrow of time, entropy, Einstein's idea of the block universe, and the A and B theories of time, The Essential Book of Time provides the perfect starting point for anyone interested in the subject.

Explore the incredible science behind of black holes in this guide, written by NASA astronomer and educator, Sten Odenwald.Black holes are some of the most fascinating phenomena in the natural universe. In this beautiful pocket volume, Odenwald explores the science behind black holes in simple and accessible language. He explains what black holes are, how they come into existence, and how they affect the universe around us. Taking into consideration subjects such a...

An accessible guide to the intriguing and revolutionary science of quantum physics, written by one of NASA's leading astronomers and educators Sten Odenwald.Quantum Physics looks at the world of the very small and the weird and wonderful forces that govern the universe. It breaks down this uncertain, complex world of quantum mechanics into easily accessible language.Featuring everything from wave functions to black-body radiation a...

Quantum theory is at the heart of modern physics, but how does it actually work?NASA scientist and communicator Sten Odenwald demystifies the subject and makes this crucial topic accessible to everyone. Featuring topics such as Schrodinger's cat, the wave-particle duality and the newly emerging theories of quantum gravity, as well as the personalities behind the science, such as Max Planck, Neils Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, Richard Feynman and many more, Knowledge...

Explore the incredible science behind of black holes in this full-colour guide, written by NASA astronomer and educator, Sten Odenwald.Black holes are some of the most fascinating phenomena in the natural universe. In this beautiful pocket volume, Odenwald explores the science behind black holes in simple and accessible language. He explains what black holes are, how they come into existence, and how they affect the universe around us. Taking into ...

Explore the life and scientific legacy of Stephen Hawking - the brilliant theoretical physicist who changed the way we look at time and space.Stephen Hawking's contributions to physics and cosmology literally changed our understanding of the universe. He not only lit up the academic world but punched through the barrier between academics and the general public, offering high-level scientific answers to the greatest human questions.This captivating biography...

Whether searching for extra-terrestrial life, managing the effects of space weather or learning about dark matter, the study astrophysics has profound implications for us all. NASA scientist and astronomer Sten Odenwald explains the key concepts of this vast topic, bringing clarity to some of the great mysteries of space.These include:• The theory of relativity• Cosmic background radiation• The evolution of stars• The formation of the solar system...

A Degree in a Book: Cosmology is the perfect introduction to cosmology, astronomy and astrophysics. Written by one of NASA's leading astronomers and educators, this book provides you with the essential foundations for understanding the science behind the universe we live in.It will help you answer questions such as:• How do we know the universe is expanding?• What is the theory of relativity?• How does the Higgs mechanism work?• What is...