Books with title The Young Oxford Book of Astronomy

"Look up on a clear, dark night and you will see the sky is full of twinkling specks of light. What are these stars and planets? How far away are they? Can we learn more about them?" Simon and Jacqueline Mitton begin The Young Oxford Book of Astronomy by tapping into that sense of mystery and wonder that the endless night sky stirs in each of us. They set out the aims and methods of astronomy, such as how astronomers map and measure the universe. Then they turn to our own solar system, detailing vital statistics in "Fact Files" for each planet, and highlighting important discoveries or remarkable characteristics. Finally, they move to the stars and the great wheeling galaxies of the vast universe. They tell us the life cycle of a star, describe a nova explosion in electrifying detail, and offer a time line that describes what was happening on earth when the light we see today first set out from a galaxy far, far away. This story of astronomy unfolds alongside hundreds of magnificent color illustrations--the latest photographs from the world's largest telescopes, the most exciting images from space probes, and many fascinating explanatory diagrams and artists' visualizations. The index and glossary are excellent research tools, and a section devoted to star charts will delight any budding astronomers. The Young Oxford Book of Astronomy is a great book for a curious child, but adults will find it useful and fascinating as well. It's an essential guide to the greatest show on Earth--the starry, starry sky.

A new edition of the long-running bestseller, The Young Oxford Book of Astronomy, which has been completely revised and updated for the 21st century.This new edition is updated to incorporate major new information, discoveries and technological developments, including the size and age of the Universe, telescope technology and the Mars Pathfinder probe.Beginning with the aims of astronomy, and how astronomers map and measure the universe, we set out on a tour of space, starting with the planets, and then the Sun and our own Galaxy, the Milky Way, before going on to explore the whole Universe of galaxies beyond.The narrative text is accompanied by numerous colour photos (now including Hubble Space Telescope pictures) and diagrams, while special feature boxes offer tips on practical activities such as how to use a star atlas, how to set up an astronomical telescope, and how to see a supernova remnant andthe moons of Jupiter.Simon and Jacqueline Mitton are both members of the International Astronomical Union and fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society. They have worked together as a team to write several books, including Discovering Astronomy and Invitation to Astronomy. Asteroid 4017 was named 'Mitton' inrecognition of the authors' contribution to the public understanding of astronomy. Simon and Jacqueline live in Cambridge.

"Look up on a clear, dark night and you will see the sky is full of twinkling specks of light. What are these stars and planets? How far away are they? Can we learn more about them?" Simon and Jacqueline Mitton begin The Young Oxford Book of Astronomy by tapping into that sense of mystery and wonder that the endless night sky stirs in each of us. They set out the aims and methods of astronomy, such as how astronomers map and measure the universe. Then they turn to our own solar system, detailing vital statistics in "Fact Files" for each planet, and highlighting important discoveries or remarkable characteristics. Finally, they move to the stars and the great wheeling galaxies of the vast universe. They tell us the life cycle of a star, describe a nova explosion in electrifying detail, and offer a time line that describes what was happening on earth when the light we see today first set out from a galaxy far, far away. This story of astronomy unfolds alongside hundreds of magnificent color illustrations--the latest photographs from the world's largest telescopes, the most exciting images from space probes, and many fascinating explanatory diagrams and artists' visualizations. The index and glossary are excellent research tools, and a section devoted to star charts will delight any budding astronomers. The Young Oxford Book of Astronomy is a great book for a curious child, but adults will find it useful and fascinating as well. It's an da whitesaleide to the greatest show on Earth--the starry, starry sky.

One thing we have in common with ancients is that all of the human race has gazed at the night sky, and the bright morning, and wondered, "What's out there?" Our universe is so vast and awe-inspiring that to learn about it is to learn about ourselves.The Astronomy Book will teach you:What long-ago astronomers thought about other worlds.Solar system facts.How constellations relate to astrology.The history of space exploration.Black holes - do they exist?The origin and age of the moon.Why Mars doesn't support life.The composition of stars, supernova remnants, and the myth of star birth.Asteroid legends and the extinction of the dinosaurs.Are there planets outside our solar system, and could they be home to intelligent life?What are UFOs?The age of comets and meteor showers.Learning about the universe is huge fun! In the most infinite expanse above us, we can examine planets, galaxies, and phenomena so beautiful and complex that we never outgrow a childlike wonder. We see our own reflection in the moon, the stars, and in comet trails. The more we learn, the less we fear!

This collection brings together a range of stories about aliens and our encounters with them. The stories don't necessarily portray aliens as hostile invaders. On the contrary, there are many stories that explore the interaction between aliens and humans, and other stories in which humans are themselves the aliens. Some of the stories have been specially written for this collection by writers such as Sue Welford. Others are by the best of sci-fi writers including Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, and Harry Harrison.

Archaeologists are like detectives investigating the past. They look for clues and analyze their findings in order to unravel the complex story of the everyday lives of our ancestors. The Young Oxford Book of Archaeology begins by asking: What is archaeology? We find out how archaeologists work. How do they find a site? How do they excavate? How do they record and interpret what they find? We travel through time, stopping off at archaeological sites all over the world--on land, underground, and beneath the sea--from Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, where the first humans appeared, through Mohenjodaro in Pakistan, where one of the first great cities flourished, to the Viking sites in Canada. The story is brought up-to-date with the Garbage Project, where archaeologists have used people's trash to build up a picture of modern life. Illustrated with stunning photographs and reconstructions, each case study examines and interprets all the evidence. The result is the essential guide for the archaeologist in all of us.

With this one-stop guide, you do not need to be in the dark about the movies ever again! The Young Oxford Book of the Movies explores the history of film around the world, from the earliest silent movies to the blockbusters of today, through a century of constant challenge and change. How did the stars of the silent era adapt to the coming of the "talkies," and how did movies face up to the threat from television? Separate chapters look at different genres of films, presenting the greatest comedians, cowboys, heroes, and horrors of the big screen, as well as the actors, directors, and movie moguls who created them. The whole story is lavishly illustrated throughout. An entire section is devoted to the life cycle of a movie, from the initial idea to the gala opening night. See how casting, costumes, makeup, and brilliant special effects are combined to entertain us, and look up your favorite movies in the fact file.