Understanding Astronomy

by Cynthia Phillips

The Secrets of the Universe in the Palm of Your Hand!

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and felt awed by its mystery? Maybe you tried to figure out which twinkling lights were stars and which were planets—or the differences among meteors, meteorites, and meteoroids—but never quite got it.

Understanding Astronomy, by Dr. Cynthia Phillips, of the SETI Institute, and Shana Priwer, will help you stargaze with authority. This book not only gives clear descriptions of the many theories of the origin of the universe, it provides facts about the planets, moons, and stars in language that anyone can understand, completely free of perplexing
astro-jargon.

In addition, Understanding Astronomy debunks popular myths about some of the most common features of the starry night. For instance, find out why the Big Dipper is not an actual constellation, and why a shooting star isn’t really a star at all!

Featuring:

Fascinating photographs and diagrams throughout   <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /> Stargazing tips and tricks, including how to distinguish between different celestial bodies    The latest theories on UFOs Dynamic discussion of the realities of an asteroid collision with Earth

287 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2009