Lucky Planet
Title | Lucky Planet PDF eBook |
Author | David Waltham |
Publisher | Icon Books Ltd |
Pages | 248 |
Release | 2014-05-01 |
Genre | Science |
ISBN | 1848316887 |
Science tells us that life elsewhere in the Universe is increasingly likely to be discovered. But in fact the Earth may be a very unusual planet – perhaps the only one like it in the entire visible Universe. In Lucky Planet David Waltham asks why, and comes up with some surprising and unconventional answers. Recent geological, biological, and astronomical discoveries are bringing us closer to understanding whether we might be alone in the Universe, and this book uses these to question the conventional wisdom and suggest, instead, that the Earth may have had ‘four billion years of good weather’ purely by chance. If Earth-like worlds don’t have natural stabilising mechanisms, then intelligent observers such as ourselves will only ever look out onto those rare planets where, like the Earth, all the bad things that could have happened to the climate have fortunately cancelled each other out. So before you prepare to meet the aliens, consider that we are probably alone ...
An Introduction to the Solar System
Title | An Introduction to the Solar System PDF eBook |
Author | David A. Rothery |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 441 |
Release | 2018-01-11 |
Genre | Science |
ISBN | 1108356427 |
Ongoing advances in Solar System exploration continue to reveal its splendour and diversity in remarkable detail. This undergraduate-level textbook presents fascinating descriptions and colour images of the bodies in the Solar System, the processes that occur upon and within them, and their origins and evolution. It highlights important concepts and techniques in boxed summaries, while questions and exercises are embedded at appropriate points throughout the text, with full solutions provided. Written and edited by a team of practising planetary scientists, this third edition has been updated to reflect our current knowledge. It is ideal for introductory courses on the subject, and is suitable for self-study. The text is supported by online resources, hosted at www.cambridge.org/solarsystem3, which include selected figures from the book, self-assessment questions and sample tutor assignments, with outlines of suggested answers.
Bad Astronomy
Title | Bad Astronomy PDF eBook |
Author | Philip C. Plait |
Publisher | John Wiley & Sons |
Pages | 288 |
Release | 2002-10-08 |
Genre | Science |
ISBN | 9780471422075 |
Advance praise for Philip Plait s Bad Astronomy "Bad Astronomy is just plain good! Philip Plait clears up everymisconception on astronomy and space you never knew you sufferedfrom." --Stephen Maran, Author of Astronomy for Dummies and editorof The Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia "Thank the cosmos for the bundle of star stuff named Philip Plait,who is the world s leading consumer advocate for quality science inspace and on Earth. This important contribution to science willrest firmly on my reference library shelf, ready for easy accessthe next time an astrologer calls." --Dr. Michael Shermer,Publisher of Skeptic magazine, monthly columnist for ScientificAmerican, and author of The Borderlands of Science "Philip Plait has given us a readable, erudite, informative,useful, and entertaining book. Bad Astronomy is Good Science. Verygood science..." --James "The Amazing" Randi, President, JamesRandi Educational Foundation, and author of An Encyclopedia ofClaims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural "Bad Astronomy is a fun read. Plait is wonderfully witty andeducational as he debunks the myths, legends, and 'conspiraciesthat abound in our society. 'The Truth Is Out There' and it's inthis book. I loved it!" --Mike Mullane, Space Shuttle astronaut andauthor of Do Your Ears Pop in Space?
Science and Creationism
Title | Science and Creationism PDF eBook |
Author | National Academy of Sciences (U.S.) |
Publisher | National Academies Press |
Pages | 48 |
Release | 1999 |
Genre | Education |
ISBN | 9780309064064 |
This edition of Science and Creationism summarizes key aspects of several of the most important lines of evidence supporting evolution. It describes some of the positions taken by advocates of creation science and presents an analysis of these claims. This document lays out for a broader audience the case against presenting religious concepts in science classes. The document covers the origin of the universe, Earth, and life; evidence supporting biological evolution; and human evolution. (Contains 31 references.) (CCM)
Life Beyond Earth
Title | Life Beyond Earth PDF eBook |
Author | Athena Coustenis |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 331 |
Release | 2013-09-12 |
Genre | Science |
ISBN | 1107026172 |
An engaging account of our quest for habitable environments, recounting fascinating recent discoveries and providing insight into future space missions.
Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years
Title | Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years PDF eBook |
Author | Stacy McAnulty |
Publisher | Henry Holt and Company (BYR) |
Pages | 40 |
Release | 2017-10-24 |
Genre | Juvenile Nonfiction |
ISBN | 1250197910 |
A lighthearted nonfiction picture book about the formation and history of the Earth--told from the perspective of the Earth itself! "Hi, I’m Earth! But you can call me Planet Awesome." Prepare to learn all about Earth from the point-of-view of Earth herself! In this funny yet informative book, filled to the brim with kid-friendly facts, readers will discover key moments in Earth’s life, from her childhood more than four billion years ago all the way up to present day. Beloved children's book author Stacy McAnulty helps Earth tell her story, and award-winning illustrator David Litchfield brings the words to life. The book includes back matter with even more interesting tidbits. This title has Common Core connections.
Rare Earth
Title | Rare Earth PDF eBook |
Author | Peter D. Ward |
Publisher | Springer |
Pages | 359 |
Release | 2007-05-08 |
Genre | Science |
ISBN | 0387218483 |
What determines whether complex life will arise on a planet, or even any life at all? Questions such as these are investigated in this groundbreaking book. In doing so, the authors synthesize information from astronomy, biology, and paleontology, and apply it to what we know about the rise of life on Earth and to what could possibly happen elsewhere in the universe. Everyone who has been thrilled by the recent discoveries of extrasolar planets and the indications of life on Mars and the Jovian moon Europa will be fascinated by Rare Earth, and its implications for those who look to the heavens for companionship.