From Blue Moons to Black Holes: A Basic Guide to Astronomy, Outer Space, and Space Exploration [Paperback]

Melanie Melton Knocke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2005

Our universe is a magnificent place, full of exotic entities like black holes and blue moons, white dwarfs and red giants. And it's out there for anyone who takes the time to look up! As this engrossing popular astronomy book makes clear, you don't need a degree in astrophysics to explore the vast reaches of outer space. All you need is curiosity and a little imagination. "From Blue Moons to Black Holes" is written specifically for those who have always been intrigued by or have been developing a growing interest in astronomy and space, but have had little time to explore the amazing world of exploding stars, distant galaxies, rovers on other planets, and more. The book consists of three sections: Questions and Answers, Quick Facts, and A Brief History of Lunar and Planetary Exploration. Knocke - who has often lectured at the prestigious Mount Wilson and Lowell Observatories - provides answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding astronomy, outer space, and space exploration in the Questions and Answers section. She gives simple and easy-to-understand answers to such provocative questions as: What is a blue moon? Could you travel through a black hole? Is the North Star the brightest star in the sky? Is Pluto really a planet? The Quick Facts section offers the reader an easy way to look up fascinating statistics about the moon and planets, bright stars, constellations, and more. This section also includes a guide to upcoming meteor showers and lunar and solar eclipses. A Brief History of Lunar and Planetary Exploration includes a chronological listing of every mission that has been launched to the moon and planets. By listing both the successes and failures, readers gain a better understanding of just how difficult it is to travel beyond our own planet. This generously illustrated volume will also include a colour insert containing, among other pictures, beautiful images of Saturn from the Cassini spacecraft, currently in orbit around the planet. Whether read from cover to cover or used as a reference tool to search for specific answers, "From Blue Moons to Black Holes" will prove to be fun, accessible, and wonderfully thought provoking.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a treasure...Find a handy place for it on your bookshelf, because you will refer to it often!" -- David H. Levy, author of COSMIC DISCOVERIES and STARRY NIGHT

"...highly recommend...for the budding young astronomer, the seasoned amateur, and all who are curious about the universe." -- Scott Kardel
Public Affairs Coordinator
Palomar Observatory

"...useful to both the casually interested person and to the real aficionados. Lots of facts, fun to read." -- Dr. Louis Friedman
Executive Director, The Planetary Society

"Outstanding. Concise answers...most often asked questions...what you really want to know with just the right amount of detail." -- John C. Smith Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cassini Mission Planning Engineer Pasadena, CA

"Wonderfully clear explanations...A perfect reference for any space buff...learned something new on just about every page (really!)." -- Glenn E. Cunningham, Former Project Manager of NASA's Mars Observer and Mars Global Surveyor missions

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591022886
• ISBN-13: 978-1591022886
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,847,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!, September 11, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: From Blue Moons to Black Holes: A Basic Guide to Astronomy, Outer Space, and Space Exploration (Paperback)

I loved this book! It was down to earth and understandable, and it didn't use a bunch of astronomical lingo that wasn't explained. It has many valuable charts and answers to questions not found anywhere else. I am interested in space and stars, and this book was perfect!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of From Blue Moons to Black Holes, October 5, 2005

By 

Allan R. Klumpp "Rocket Scientist" (Weston, Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Blue Moons to Black Holes: A Basic Guide to Astronomy, Outer Space, and Space Exploration (Paperback)

This is an excellent book, both for satisfying one's curiosity about the universe where we all live, to being a reference for the astronomical and cosmic facts.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome!, August 20, 2005

By 

K. M. Lewis "star lover" (Chico, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Blue Moons to Black Holes: A Basic Guide to Astronomy, Outer Space, and Space Exploration (Paperback)

this book is great for people who want to learn interesting facts about the universe. it had every question and topic that anyone would ever want to know! there are interesting facts about ever planets, missions to planets, moons, stars...everything. I highly recommend this book.