A Pocket Guide to the Stars & Planets

by John Duncan

A Pocket Guide to the Stars & Planets explores the ultimate questions raised by our enhanced understanding of the universe, and provides an authoritative but accessible overview of the latest exciting developments in space research.

Genres: Science, Astronomy, Reference, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Duncan
John Duncan, d. 1941 John^^^Duncan: Science
John Duncan (1866 - 1945) John^^^^Duncan: Scottish artist
John 8^ Duncan: Scottish Travels in Western Africa

Reviews

[Massimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Pocket Guide to the Stars and Planets" provides lots of information about everything in space from the planets in the solar system to the nebulae of dead stars. The first half of the book gives information about almost everything you'd need to know about the sun and planets--it talks about atmosphere, external features, internal composition, life, manned missions, moons, satellite flybys, size, rotation, and more. The second half of the book comprises of information about everything outside of the solar system-- other stars, the local group, galaxies, the Big Bang, nebulae, supernovae, the universe and more. On almost every page of the book you will find a detailed photograph or image if whatever the page is about. These images make visualizing and picturing a lot easier. The book ends off with the Big Crunch, a possibility for how the universe ends. This choice of putting the death of the universe at the end of the book only added to the enjoyment I had reading this book.

[Mario R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers the wide range of subjects studied by astronomy: the many objects in our solar system (planets, moons, asteroids and the different belts, comets, etc), within our Milky Way, our local group of galaxies, and the constellations which humans have named since ancient times. The end of the book focuses more on cosmology, as it deals with the birth, aging, and death of stars and galaxies. The final section regarding the fate of the universe as supported by various theories instills a strange feeling of unknowingness which must have been felt by the ancients long ago. It is very inspiring to know there is a lot left to learn about the universe we live in.

The best part about this book, along the general information about all of this knowledge, are the stunning images (sometimes outdated, for example Pluto which was recently captured in a HD-like quality unlike the book) which are often supplied with captions containing additional information, names, science, and history.

I thank the author and the scientists who have been involved researching the heavens from the beginning of human history until now for being able to create such condensed but detailed literature on these astronomical objects.

[Trilce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un guía muy especial, aunque innecesaria en su concepto, cosas muy lejanas a todos, todo lo rende comprensible, aunque tenga algunas imprecisiones que podrían pasarse por alto sin ser ignoradas, por lo que esta edición está hecha con una calidad no desechable.

[Edward Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Mom bought me this dont know when but its a treasure

[Ryan Lum · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful book that explains to you what astronomy exactly is. This book is really cool because it explains the Solar system and gives a short intro on each planet before they get into detail with them. Each chapter is dedicated to a diffrent thing and thats really cool. It talks about the sun and how it's the biggest star ever. It explains the solar eclipses, etc. It explains about solar wind and solar flares and then they also explain about the other planets. Mercury, they explain the first space probes that went there and how Nasa traveled there with it.They talk about the atmosphere and surface and just go really deep in the story. Then comes Venus which is considered the sister plant of Earth and they describe the features of it. Then comes Venus and how there are thoughts of future missions there but that's impossible. The book really does try when it tries to describe Uranus, Neptune, pluto, stars, the milky way. Etc

[Ronald Jones]

Excellent reference material for anyone wanting concise information about space without having to wade through a dissertation. The book starts off with the solar system, dedicating each page to a planet. The inclusion of Pluto as a planet is dated, but that doesn't detract from the overall material. I'm sure there's been a number of updates since its 2009 publication. From the solar system we move on to the stars and galaxies. After that, a nice summary on the origins of the universe. Stars and Planets is packed with great, easy to digest information. Novices especially will not only be enlightened by what this book has to offer, but will have a vast appreciation of how the universe operates.

[Alleny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. This book gives you all the information you need to know about the cosmos in a simple way. There is another book just like this book but has better information. This is the pocket guide to the stars and planets. There is another book that has much more information in it so I would like to read it. Out of all the space books that I have read, This is far most the best space book That I have ever read. I really recommend this book for people who want to know much about the universe in a simple way.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read this I was so excited. I couldn't put it down. I know it was non-fiction, but the facts about the planets and outer space was so interesting to me. To put it simply, I love science books that have colorful pictures and a not-so-textbook explinations.

[Junn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo he leído hace poquito, sin apenas idea de todo lo apasionante que es nuestro universo, y me ha dejado con ganas de saber más. Creo que es una gran introducción a la comprensión de la vastedad de nuestro universo, y que recomiendo a cualquier interesado en el tema que no quiera mucho tecnicismo.

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely guide to astronomy & Astrophysics for the layman. The photography is excellent and one does not fell like he/she is being spoken down to.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!