The Science Behind Wonders Of The Sky

"Scientific explanations of natural phenomena in the sky"--

"Scientific explanations of natural phenomena in the sky"--

One of the most ambitious works of paranormal investigation of our time, here is an unprecedented compendium of pre-twentieth-century UFO accounts, written with rigor and color by two of today's leading investigators of unexplained phenomena. In the past century, individuals, newspapers, and military agencies have recorded thousands of UFO incidents, giving rise to much speculation about flying saucers, visitors from other planets, and alien abductions. Yet the extraterrestrial phenomenon did not begin in the present era. Far from it. The authors of Wonders in the Sky reveal a thread of vividly rendered-and sometimes strikingly similar- reports of mysterious aerial phenomena from antiquity through the modern age. These accounts often share definite physical features- such as the heat felt and described by witnesses-that have not changed much over the centuries. Indeed, such similarities between ancient and modern sightings are the rule rather than the exception. In Wonders in the Sky, respected researchers Jacques Vallee and Chris Aubeck examine more than 500 selected reports of sightings from biblical-age antiquity through the year 1879-the point at which the Industrial Revolution deeply changed the nature of human society, and the skies began to open to airplanes, dirigibles, rockets, and other opportunities for misinterpretation represented by military prototypes. Using vivid and engaging case studies, and more than seventy-five illustrations, they reveal that unidentified flying objects have had a major impact not only on popular culture but on our history, on our religion, and on the models of the world humanity has formed from deepest antiquity. Sure to become a classic among UFO enthusiasts and other followers of unexplained phenomena, Wonders in the Sky is the most ambitious, broad-reaching, and intelligent analysis ever written on premodern aerial mysteries.

Kay Kenyon, noted for her science fiction world-building, has in this new series created her most vivid and compelling society, the Universe Entire. In a land-locked galaxy that tunnels through our own, the Entire is a bizarre and seductive mix of long-lived quasi-human and alien beings gathered under a sky of fire, called the bright. A land of wonders, the Entire is sustained by monumental storm walls and an exotic, never-ending river. Over all, the elegant and cruel Tarig rule supreme. Into this rich milieu is thrust Titus Quinn, former star pilot, bereft of his beloved wife and daughter who are assumed dead by everyone on earth except Quinn. Believing them trapped in a parallel universe—one where he himself may have been imprisoned—he returns to the Entire without resources, language, or his memories of that former life. He is assisted by Anzi, a woman of the Chalin people, a Chinese culture copied from our own universe and transformed by the kingdom of the bright. Learning of his daughter’s dreadful slavery, Quinn swears to free her. To do so, he must cross the unimaginable distances of the Entire in disguise, for the Tarig are lying in wait for him. As Quinn’s memories return, he discovers why. Quinn’s goal is to penetrate the exotic culture of the Entire—to the heart of Tarig power, the fabulous city of the Ascendancy, to steal the key to his family’s redemption. But will his daughter and wife welcome rescue? Ten years of brutality have forced compromises on everyone. What Quinn will learn to his dismay is what his own choices were, long ago, in the Universe Entire. He will also discover why a fearful multiverse destiny is converging on him and what he must sacrifice to oppose the coming storm. This is high-concept SF written on the scale of Philip Jose Farmer’s Riverworld, Roger Zelazny’s Amber Chronicles, and Dan Simmons’s Hyperion.

"Take your night watching to the next level with Bob King's bucket list collection of 57 remarkable night sky wonders and dark sky destinations. Fill your nights with adventure and the ability to see some of the incredible phenomenon of the sky with this must-have book. Learn all about the brightest and best stars, planets, meteors, comets and constellations using the naked eye, binoculars, telescopes and apps."--

Astronomy starts with just looking up in this luminously illustrated nonfiction middle grade guide to the spectacular treasures of the night sky from an award-winning physicist and astronomer. For millennia, curious people have looked to the sky and wanted to understand the wonders that appeared. Readers can connect to the many parts of our universe visible to the naked eye and make inspiring connections to the science behind the stellar backdrop with this well-researched book that gives a definitive look at the marvels above us with accessible facts and dazzling illustrations.

"The quality of the deep-sky images is outstanding--a tribute to the various photographers as well as the book's printer. But it's the written word that will make or break a book like this, and Sue's writing is superb... [For] an occasional stargazer, a serious observer, or anyone in between, you won't go wrong with Deep-Sky Wonders. This is a great introduction to deep-sky stargazing for novice and experienced amateur astronomers alike." --Mercury, publication of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Sue French writes the popular column "Deep-Sky Wonders" for Sky and Telescope magazine and also teaches deep sky observation. She has earned a loyal following among enthusiasts and is welcomed by beginners for her skill at presenting astronomy in an understandable way. After selling 10,000 copies of Deep-Sky Wonders in hardcover, we expect a good response for this paperback edition at an accessible price. Deep-Sky Wonders is a collection of 100 of French's best "Deep-Sky Wonders" columns originally published in Sky and Telescope, which has a monthly readership exceeding 100,000. The book is organized by season and subdivided into months for a total of 100 in-depth tours of the deep sky. Each deep sky tour illuminates little-known seasonal wonders that lie off the beaten path. Features include: Full-color photographs and detailed sketches of each deep sky tour Descriptions of double and variable stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and exotics Historical and scientific background of particular interest A tabular listing of the deep-sky sites Color charts showing the position of each target in the night sky An index to all of the deep-sky objects covered. Deep-Sky Wonders also features a variety of challenging objects that encourage observers to test the limits of their equipment and skills. Suitable for beginner and intermediate small-scope astronomers as well as large-scope viewers and astrophotographers, this book will be greeted enthusiastically by all Sky and Telescope readers. It is also an outstanding introduction to deep-sky viewing for novice observers.

Inviting all who dare to wonder - come navigate the spectacular treasures of the night sky with bestselling and award-winning Professor Raman Prinja's inspiring look into our galaxy and beyond, published in association with Royal Observatory Greenwich. Encourage your kids to reach for the stars with this inspiring exploration of the night sky. Anyone with a view of the sky and a curious mind can be the next great Universe explorer! Wonders of the Night Sky invites children all over the world to look up - just as curious people before them have done for millennia - and to know why each wonder appears before their eyes. This beautiful book connects readers to the many parts of our Universe visible to the naked eye against the sky, explodes them on the page, then provides inspiring connections to the science behind the stellar backdrop. Professor Raman Prinja is the multi-award-winning Head of Department for Physics and Astronomy at University College London and a celebrated children's author. Professor Prinja pens this definitive look at the wonders above us, following on from the enormous success of his book Planetarium. Illustrator Jan Bielecki's striking depiction of each natural marvel will draw in readers to a lifetime of astronomical wonder. Astronomy starts with just looking up! If you like this, you'll also love the follow-up book, The Future of the Universe. Take what you've learned about the Universe and rocket trillions of years ahead in time to find out some amazing changes to come...