Here are 100 books that First Knowledges Astronomy fans have personally recommended if you like
First Knowledges Astronomy.
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I have always been interested in art, science, and feminism. I became particularly engaged in the history and science of astronomy when I was the manager of the Sydney Observatory. While there, I wrote a doctoral thesis about the work of female ‘computers’ and star measurers for the Australian section of the Great Star Catalogue in the early 20th Century. I am interested in how astronomical events and observations have influenced history, art, and culture. I am an amateur astronomer, have seen eight total solar eclipses, two transits of Venus, and other astronomical events, and plan to see many more.
I loved the way this book brings together historical eclipses, art, mythology, theory, mathematics, religious beliefs, science, and personal reflections on solar eclipses. In particular, I enjoyed learning a bit more about well-known historic eclipse events and technologies. Still, there were some surprises, such as rituals performed by the kings of Assyria after an eclipse.
I enjoyed looking carefully at the spectacular artworks and photographs of eclipses throughout this book. The chapters on animal behavior and the impact of eclipses on weather completed the way this book reflects my immersive experience of total solar eclipses. Finally, I was touched by the emotional aspect of this book, which included the personal reflections of contemporary eclipse chaser Mike Frost. This was the last work of contributor and well-known eclipse scientist Jay Pasachoff and co-author Tom McLeish, who sadly passed away before publication and I felt fortunate to have their words on paper…
Two questions guide this seven-year project: First, how can we approach the phenomenon, representation, and interpretation of total solar eclipses? Second, how can we heal the historical divide separating the natural sciences from the humanities, arts, history, and theology?
The result of this interdisciplinary investigation into eclipses is an exciting look behind the scenes - into labs, archives, and museums, as well as around fieldwork in astronomy, meteorology, animal behaviour, and ecophysiology.
Carefully prepared for readers from all backgrounds, these voices invite us to imagine a liberated mode of discovery, perception, creativity, and knowledge-production across the traditional academic divisions. A…
The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.
The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.
Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…
I have always been interested in art, science, and feminism. I became particularly engaged in the history and science of astronomy when I was the manager of the Sydney Observatory. While there, I wrote a doctoral thesis about the work of female ‘computers’ and star measurers for the Australian section of the Great Star Catalogue in the early 20th Century. I am interested in how astronomical events and observations have influenced history, art, and culture. I am an amateur astronomer, have seen eight total solar eclipses, two transits of Venus, and other astronomical events, and plan to see many more.
I was fortunate to view two Venus transits, and this book made me realize how certain astronomical events have had enormous social impacts. There are many such examples of adventure, elation, and disappointment in this book, but the one that I found most fascinating is the 1769 transit of Venus, which was the main reason for the British voyage to the Southern Hemisphere. This historical event had major repercussions for Australian Indigenous people due to British colonisation.
I particularly enjoyed referring to the many colorful images and maps as I read. The stunning painting of Fort Venus, set up for Lieutenant James Cook and astronomer Charles Green’s observations, led me to recently visit the same site, now called ‘Point Venus’, in Tahiti.
"In his new book, Transit of Venus, 1631 to the Present, Dr Nick Lomb - an astronomer at the Sydney Observatpry and the author of the Australian Sky Guide - has produced what may be his most timely publication to date...Dr Lomb has cooked up both a titillating textual treat and a full-bodied visual feast, and whether his readers choose to nibble at the book meditatively or to ingest it voraciously in a single sitting, they are sure to come away licking their lips and drooling for more." - Michael E. Chauvin, The Bulletin The transit of Venus across the…
I have always been interested in art, science, and feminism. I became particularly engaged in the history and science of astronomy when I was the manager of the Sydney Observatory. While there, I wrote a doctoral thesis about the work of female ‘computers’ and star measurers for the Australian section of the Great Star Catalogue in the early 20th Century. I am interested in how astronomical events and observations have influenced history, art, and culture. I am an amateur astronomer, have seen eight total solar eclipses, two transits of Venus, and other astronomical events, and plan to see many more.
This book makes me feel like I am discovering the clues that will lead to solving some of the big questions of our existence. Fred Watson is very good at explaining mind-blowing cosmic science, and I enjoyed his wit and sense of humor.
This book is about the resilience of our planet Earth. It discusses the science behind cosmic phenomena and explains new technology and applied physics. It made me feel that all may not be lost due to our environmental destruction. My favorite section is about the research contributions made around the globe by citizen scientists and amateur astronomers and the challenges posed by the advent of space tourism.
LONGLISTED for the 2020 ABIA Small Publisher's Adult Book of the Year
NOMINATEDfor the AAAS / SB&F Book Prize from the American Association for the Advancement of Science / Subaru
Are we alone in the Universe? Where did the Moon come from? How do we know what stars are made of? Could there really be a future in asteroid mining?
In Cosmic Chronicles, Fred Watson - Australia's Astronomer-at-Large and bestselling author - explores the hottest topics in space science and astronomy.
Watson presents the most up-to-date knowledge on everything from light echoing around the cosmos, the mechanics of black holes…
Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!
On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…
I have always been interested in art, science, and feminism. I became particularly engaged in the history and science of astronomy when I was the manager of the Sydney Observatory. While there, I wrote a doctoral thesis about the work of female ‘computers’ and star measurers for the Australian section of the Great Star Catalogue in the early 20th Century. I am interested in how astronomical events and observations have influenced history, art, and culture. I am an amateur astronomer, have seen eight total solar eclipses, two transits of Venus, and other astronomical events, and plan to see many more.
As I read this book of 37 individual stories, I felt so pleased that these leading astronomers, all women, had taken the time to write and publish their stories about the obstacles they had faced in scientific research and recognition due to gender prejudice. It was tough but compelling to read out the only woman in a physics class having belittling names called out to her as she entered the room and men who took credit for women’s work.
An inspiring anthology of writings by trailblazing women astronomers from around the globe
The Sky Is for Everyone is an internationally diverse collection of autobiographical essays by women who broke down barriers and changed the face of modern astronomy. Virginia Trimble and David Weintraub vividly describe how, before 1900, a woman who wanted to study the stars had to have a father, brother, or husband to provide entry, and how the considerable intellectual skills of women astronomers were still not enough to enable them to pry open doors of opportunity for much of the twentieth century. After decades of difficult…
I’m a research physicist working in fusion energy and astrophysics. To explain our work, I’ve had to overcome the misconceptions about science that are widespread in the media and among the general population. These books are the best ones I know to correct the mystification of science, especially of topics like quantum mechanics, time, consciousness, and cosmology.
OK, maybe it’s funny to recommend a book that sold in the millions. But this, and the TV series that went along with it, remains the best explanation of the evolution of astronomy and, especially, the social context for that evolution. Carl Sagan is by far the best science popularizer of the past century.
* Spacecraft missions to nearby planets * The Library of ancient Alexandria * The human brain * Egyptian hieroglyphics * The origin of life * The death of the sun * The evolution of galaxies * The origins of matter, suns and worlds
The story of fifteen billion years of cosmic evolution transforming matter and life into consciousness, of how science and civilisation grew up together, and of the forces and individuals who helped shape modern science. A story told with Carl Sagan's remarkable ability to make scientific ideas both comprehensible and exciting.
I am an award-winning children’s book author who writes stories about unexpected friends, women who did the impossible, people who are (almost) forgotten & ideas that seem too complicated until I find the right way to tell them.
The Greeks imagined a whole menagerie of animals in the stars, but the constellations can sometimes be difficult to figure out. National Geographic’s Zoo in the Sky changes all that. It lines up the stars with Christina Balit’s vibrant artwork, bringing the Great Bear, the Great Dog and the other animal constellations to life. It’s a gorgeous way to learn and enjoy the stars for both young and old readers alike.
This award-winning book capturing the glittering light show of the constellations is now available in paperback. Take an illuminating ride through the starry night sky with National Geographic's Zoo in the Sky! Little Bear and the Great Bear in the Northern Sky; the scaly dragon winding his long tail; the Great Dog chasing the Hare in the Southern Sky; all are beautifully rendered in Christina Balit's vibrant art, studded with shiny stars, which perfectly illustrates Jacqueline Mitton's rich text. Awards include: Parent's Guide to Children's Media Award Parent Council Award REVIEW(S): "A visually dynamic introduction to the animal constellations." ―Booklist…
A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.
Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…
My journey into astronomy began with a small and rickety telescope purchased at a local pharmacy. I found it fascinating to observe the Moon and Saturn with their rings using such meager equipment. I decided to share these views with others by writing my first book, 50 Things to See with a Small Telescope, an easy-to-understand beginner’s guide which I self-published and sold through Amazon starting in 2013. I have since published a number of other books on space for children. Besides writing, I work as the telescope operator at Burke-Gaffney Observatory. In 2020 I was awarded the Simon Newcomb Award for excellence in science communication.
This classic book is a veritable encyclopedia of stargazing knowledge, including telescope operation, celestial mechanics, and astrophotography. Terence brings his decades of stargazing experience to bear, offering tips and tricks that will push your backyard observations to the next level. Even if you only have binoculars, this book contains more than enough stargazing activities to keep you busy for years.
The first three editions of NightWatch sold more than 600,000 copies, making it the top-selling stargazing guide in the world for the last 20 years. The key feature of this classic title is the section of star charts that are cherished by backyard astronomers everywhere. Each new edition has outsold the previous one because of thorough revisions and additional new material.
NightWatch has been acclaimed as the best general interest introduction to astronomy. The fourth edition has improvements over the 3rd edition in every chapter, including: The famous charts, ideal for stargazers using a small telescope or binoculars; A complete…
I am an associate professor of astrophysics at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation and a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History. I use telescopes on Earth and in space to study supernovae (the explosions of stars) and tidal disruption events (bright flares caused by supermassive black holes ripping apart nearby stars). I have wanted to be a scientist since second grade, and some of the books on this list have helped kindle my passion for physics and astronomy. I hope that my own popular science books will do the same for the next generation of astronomers.
I leafed through a copy of this book in my local library and immediately bought a copy to read with my daughters. Suitable for kindergarten and older children learning to read, it describes how several cultures conceptualized the night sky and the stories they told about the patterns they saw in the stars.
I loved how it didn’t just stick to ancient Greece but also introduced readers to African stories of the Milky Way, the astronomies of ancient Egypt and China, modern telescopes, and even how certain animals use the stars for navigation. The text is sliced into short, easy-to-read paragraphs, and the paintings are gorgeous.
What stories, mysteries and secrets can you find in the stars?
A wonderful illustrated tour of the night sky for children aged 5+ years. Lara Hawthorne's beautiful illustrations take the reader on one of the most fascinating journeys that humankind has ever made and one that is common to us all.
From ancient Egyptians building the pyramids, to early Polynesian sailors criss-crossing the Pacific Ocean, and astronauts travelling into space, the night sky has guided and inspired people across the world, and throughout time.
Now it's your turn to look to the skies and discover the mysteries they hide.
I was of that generation of children turned on to science by reading Carl Sagan’s Cosmos - plus watching the Voyager spacecraft at Jupiter on TV, seeing the 1979 total solar eclipse over my house, and having Mt St Helens erupt outside my childhood window. So, one guess what I wanted to be when I grew up? Since then, I’ve earned a PhD, used the largest telescopes on Earth, designed something driving around on Mars, written popular books, and had my science art collected by the Smithsonian. But all of that started with a single book I read as a kid. Thanks Carl.
Have you ever wondered where all the stars went? When was the last time you saw the Milky Way? We have national parks to preserve beautiful places like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone geysers. But somehow, the Milky Way, a billion glowing stars all blended together in a band everyone could see every moonless night everywhere on Earth, has just faded away to invisibility for 80% of Americans. How did that happen and why we should care is what Bogard writes about in this lovely book written not for scientists or amateur astronomers, but for everyone who’s ever thought about simply “sleeping under the stars.”
Streetlamps, neon signs - an ever-present glow that has changed the natural world and adversely affected our health; Paul Bogard illuminates the problems caused by a lack of darkness. We live awash in artificial light. But night's natural darkness has always been invaluable for our spiritual health and the health of the natural world, and every living creature suffers from its loss. Paul Bogard investigates what we mean when we talk about darkness. He travels between the intensely lit cities - from glittering Las Vegas to the gas-lit streets of Westminster - and the sites where real darkness still remains,…
It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.
The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…
I’m a science fiction and fantasy children’s book author, who loves everything about space and science fiction. I’ve been fascinated by space ever since I was little; mesmerized by clips of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon. As a teenager, War of the Worlds by H.G Wells was my favorite book! My daughter’s complete lack of interest in space inspired me to write a space adventure series. How could I make space entertaining? When it comes to children, I’m a big fan of mixing space facts with a dollop of space fiction, so I hope you will enjoy the collection of books on this list!
This is a great book to start your little ones on their very first space adventure. Tish Rabe takes the Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat character on a journey to teach children about the planets, the moon, and the sun. But it doesn’t stop there! The book also touches on famous constellations, the moon landing, and lots of cool and wacky facts about the solar system. Neptune’s bright blue color and Saturn’s incredible lightness are just a few of the fun snippets of space knowledge scattered throughout the book. Wonderful illustrations combined with whimsical prose will keep young readers turning the pages.
“But there’s a lot to discover, and it might be you who looks up in the sky and finds something that’s new!”
The Cat in the Hat takes readers on an out of this world reading adventure through outer space! The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library is a nonfiction picture book series that introduces beginning readers ages 5-8 to important basic concepts.
Learn about the solar system, planets, the constellations, and astronauts, and explore the wonders of space with the help of everyone' favorite Cat in the Hat! Perfect for aspiring astraunauts, or any kid who loves learning and science.
The universe is a mysterious place. We are only just learning what happens in space.
