Earthrise : my adventures as an Apollo 14 astronaut – Mitchell, Edgar D. – On February 5, 1971, Edgar Mitchell jumped off the last rungs of a ladder connecting him to NASA’s Antares spacecraft and landed with two feet on the Moon. Following the disastrous Apollo 13 mission, Mitchell was one of three astronauts to successfully complete the Apollo 14 journey to the Moon, though it wasn’t without its own alarming moments
In Earthrise, Edgar recalls his spectacular trip to the Moon and the life experiences that got him there, including his early days spent in Roswell, New Mexico, amid nuclear testing and the rumored UFO crash; his first solo airplane flight as a young teen; his time as a navy combat pilot; and becoming a NASA astronaut. With fascinating detail, Edgar describes what it was like to launch into space and land on the Moon, illuminating everything from the practical—eating, sleeping, and going to the bathroom in space—to the mystical, life-changing experience of gazing at Earth from afar.
Exploration of space – Trotman, Felicity – On April 12, 1961, in space vehicle Vostok I, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to orbit the earth. Thus began the manned space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Perhaps its most dramatic moment came on July 20, 1969, when American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon. This handsome book captures the first exciting years of space exploration.
In the shadow of the moon : America, Russia, and the hidden history of the space race – Cherrix, Amy E. – You’ve heard of the space race, but do you know the whole story? The most ambitious race humankind has ever undertaken was masterminded in the shadows by two engineers on opposite sides of the Cold War: Wernher von Braun, a former Nazi officer living in the US, and Sergei Korolev, a Russian rocket designer once jailed for crimes against his country—and your textbooks probably never told y
These two brilliant but controversial rocketeers never met, yet together they reshaped spaceflight and warfare. From Stalin’s brutal gulags and Hitler’s concentration camps to Cape Canaveral and beyond, their simultaneous quests pushed science—and human ingenuity—to the breaking point.
Von Braun became an American hero, recognized the world over, while Korolev toiled in obscurity. But as each of these men altered human history, they were eclipsed by their troubled pasts, living out their lives in the shadow of the same moon that drove them to such astonishing feats of scientific achievement.
Recentering the universe : the radical theories of Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo – Miller, Ron, 1947-
In the sixth century B.C.E., the Greek philosopher Anaximander theorized that Earth was at the center of the cosmos. That idea became ingrained in scientific thinking and Christian religious beliefs for more than one thousand years. Defiance of church doctrine could mean death, so no one dared dispute this long-accepted idea. No one except a handful of courageous scientists.
In the 1500s and 1600s, men like Nicolaus Copernicus, Johanned Kepler, Galileo Galilei, and Isaac Newton began to ask questions. What if Earth actually orbited the sun, instead of the other way around? What if the universe was much bigger than anyone imagined? These scientists risked their reputations–even their lives–to challenge the very heart of Catholic dogma and scientific tradition. Yet, in less than 200 years, their radical thinking overturned theories that had lasted more than a millennium. Join these bold thinkers on the journey of discovery that forever changed our understanding of the cosmos.
The universe : the big bang, black holes, and blue whales – Wood, Matthew Brenden –
What exactly is the universe? Is it brilliant stars, distant galaxies, and giant black holes? What about the sun, the moon, or the planet Earth? The universe is all these things–and more! But where did it come from? How did we get here? And where is it all going? Explore these questions and more in The Universe: The Big Bang, Black Holes, and Blue Whales. In this book, readers embark on an exciting journey that starts with the Big Bang and takes them all the way to the end of the universe, with many thrilling stops in between. Take a look billions of years into the past and discover the mind-bending early moments of the universe, the rise of the first stars, and the formation of the earliest galaxies. Explore the birth our sun and solar system and the formation of the only place in the universe known to support life: the earth. Finally, we’ll zoom billions of years into the future to learn about the death of the sun, a colossal collision of galaxies, and even the fate of the universe itself.
Astrophysics for young people in a hurry – Tyson, Neil deGrasse. – What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There’s no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson.
From the basics of physics to big questions about the nature of space and time, celebrated astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down the mysteries of the cosmos into bite-sized pieces. Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry describes the fundamental rules and unknowns of our universe clearly—and with Tyson’s characteristic wit, there’s a lot of fun thrown in, too.
Hidden figures : the untold true story of four African-American women who helped launch our nation into space-Shetterly, Margot Lee. – It is the powerful story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who helped achieve some of the greatest moments in our space program. Now a major motion picture starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner.
Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space. This book brings to life the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, who lived through the Civil Rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War, and the movement for gender equality, and whose work forever changed the face of NASA and the country
The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia – Dr, Mike Goldsmith – Comprehensive illustrated encyclopedias with full-colour photographs and artwork which illustrate the informative and accessible text. A glossary and index are included along with a list of web sites for further learning. With dramatic full-bleed artwork, a visual design that organizes the information into clear, digestible sections, the latest photography, and special features such as digital cutaways, step-bystep sequences, and callouts featuring key scientific ideas, this amazing 160-page volume is the perfect guide to space for today’s visual learners. Arranged thematically into five key areas—Observing Space, The Solar System, Stars and galaxies, Space Exploration, and Space in the Future—The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia by Dr. Mike Goldsmith features concise text by an astrophysics expert that is coherent, accurate and perfectly pitched for middle-grade audiences. A glossary and index are included in the back matter along with a list of web sites to take the learning beyond the book. The unbeatable combination of great design, authoritative information, and affordable price makes this the perfect home or classroom reference for any curious space explorer.
Super space encyclopedia – Gifford, Clive – Explore our wonderful universe through stunning CGI illustrations and amazing stats that bring to life the incredible marvels that populate space. Bursting with fascinating facts and the latest breathtaking images, this space book for children brings the wonders of the Solar System to life. Find out about the never-ending storms on Jupiter. Learn about the towering volcanoes of Venus – all 1,600 of them, and see the Valles Marineris on Mars–a canyon that is ten times longer than Earth’s Grand Canyon. Find out many more fascinating “super” facts about the cosmos with Super Space Encyclopedia. Based on recent research and discoveries, Super Space Encyclopedia showcases everything you need to know about the Universe–from the Big Bang to the formation of galaxies and planets as well as the technology used to explore it unimaginable depths. Fabulous cutaway artworks help to reveal the inner workings of the Sun, planets, and spacecraft.
StarTalk : with Neil DeGrasse Tyson : everything you ever need to know about space travel, sci-fi, the human race, the universe, and beyond. – Tyson, Neil deGrasse – For decades, beloved astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has interpreted science with a combination of brainpower and charm that resonates with fans everywhere. In 2009, he founded StarTalk, the wildly popular podcast that became an Emmy-nominated talk show on the National Geographic Channel. Tyson’s pioneering, provocative book will take the greatest hits from the airwaves to the page in one smart, richly illustrated compendium. Featuring vivid photography, thought-provoking trivia, enlightening facts, and fun quotes from science and entertainment luminaries like Bill Nye and Dan Aykroyd, StarTalk reimagines science’s most challenging topics–from how the brain works to the physics of comic book superheroes–in a relatable, humorous way that will delight fans and new readers alike
1001 facts about space – Stott, Carole – A world of knowledge at your fingertips! Absolutely bursting with thousands of fascinating facts, Backpack Books are small enough to carry with ease, but big enough to provide all the answers. Researched and written by experts, topics are covered in encyclopedic and easy-to-understand detail. Hundreds of colorful illustrations and photographs bring knowledge to life, and are arranged clearly and logically to make finding out quick and easy for readers of all ages.
Apollo 8 : the mission that changed everything– Sandler, Martin W – In 1957, when the USSR launched Sputnik I, the first man-made satellite to orbit Earth, America’s rival in the Cold War claimed victory on a new frontier. The Space Race had begun, and the United States was losing. Closer to home, a decade of turbulence would soon have Americans reeling, with the year 1968 alone seeing the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy as well as many violent clashes between police and protesters. Americans desperately needed something good to believe in, and NASA’s mission to orbit Earth in Apollo 8 and test a lunar landing module was being planned for the end of the year. But with four months to go and the module behind schedule, the CIA discovered that the USSR was preparing to send its own mission around the moon — another crucial victory in the Space Race — and it was clearly time for a change of plan. In a volume full of astonishing full-color photographs, including the iconic Earthrise photo, Martin W. Sandler unfolds an incredible chapter in U.S. history: Apollo 8 wouldn’t just orbit Earth, it would take American astronauts to see the dark side of the moon.