The Rough Guide to the Universe 2 (Rough Guide Reference) (Paperback)

by John Scalzi (Author)
Key Phrases: orbital period, axial tilt, dwarf planet, Size of Constellation Boundaries, Milky Way, Big Bang (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Whether you’re a novice or a more experienced astronomer, The Rough Guide to The Universe is indispensable. The truth may or may not be out there, but space is the place to look, and the Rough Guide to the Universe takes it all in, from our own moon to the furthest frontiers of the known universe - and then speculates about what lies beyond. This fascinating guide is not meant to delve too deeply; instead it gives the reader the grounding needed to appreciate the night sky. Clue- up on the basics with concise information on every planet in the solar system, and practical advice on observing the planets and stars with binoculars, telescopes and the naked eye. You’ll find the latest theories about how the universe came to exist, incisive explanations of the formation of galaxies and weird concepts such a dark matter, wormholes and superstrings. The guide also provides travel-based information on planetariums, observatories and ''deep sky'' sites as well as listings of star clubs, space news sources and other Internet resources. With dozens of photographs and star charts of every constellation, The Rough Guide to the Universe is The Stargazer’s essential handbook

About the Author
John Scalzi is a science fiction novelist and non-fiction writer as well as the author of The Rough Guide to the Universe.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Rough Guides; 2 edition (May 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843538008
• ISBN-13: 978-1843538004
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #639,134 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent overview, July 1, 2008

By	Nicholas Russon (Brooklin, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was looking for a well-written, intelligent overview of current knowledge on the solar system, and this book was exactly what I was looking for. The presentation is very clear, the writing quality is excellent, and the tone is exactly right for this kind of information: light, good use of humour, and not taking itself too seriously (John Scalzi has a quirky sense of humour . . . it works very well here).

I'm not very interested in Astronomy, so the final part of the book was less useful to me, but I can see that it would have been a very good introduction to using a telescope to view the night skies.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Guide to the Universe!, May 10, 2009

By	Michael R. Nofi (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

John Scalzi's Rough Guide to The Universe, is anything but rough. I have been an amateur astronomer for over 45 years and have read every beginners guide to the stars and this is the best. It is up to date (which is no easy chore these days with all of the advancements in astronomy), thorough, complete, and there is something in it for everyone. If you want to get up to speed on the current state of our understanding of the cosmo, then this book is for you.