David J Darling

A commanding encyclopedia of the history and principles of spaceflight-from earliest conceptions to faster-than-light galaxy-hopping. Here is the first truly comprehensive guide to space exploration and propulsion, from the first musings of the Greeks to current scientific speculation about interstellar travel using "warp drives" and wormholes. Space buffs will delight in its in-depth coverage of all key manned and unmanned missions and space vehicles-past,...

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Traces the evolution of knowledge about the moon, from the invention of the telescope to the landing of the Apollo astronauts.

Demonstrates the principles of sound and the science of acoustics through a variety of experiments.

Describes the origins, characteristics, and behavior of comets,meteors, and the largest of the space rocks, asteroids.

Demonstrates the principles of optics and light through a variety of experiments.

Discusses the formation, life, and destruction of stars and includes an imaginary spaceship ride through many galaxies to view the Milky Way and other star clusters.

The wonder of flight has long captured the human imagination. In this beguiling history ranging from the first aircraft to astronauts and beyond astronomer David Darling tells the stories of the true life adventurers whose wonder has translated into bizarre contraptions, magnificent achievements and, sometimes, startling folly.