Universe

With its innovative visual style, dynamic design and some previously unpublished, stunning images, this groundbreaking and comprehensive encyclopedia will appeal to anyone fascinated by the night sky, from families to dedicated astronomy enthusiasts and students. From the series that brought you the bestselling Animal, Earth and Human Featuring the latest discoveries in astronomy and spectacular star charts Plus, over 2,5000 spectacular, full-colour images from the latest space probes and telescopes Universe provides an unparalleled visual insight into all aspects of the Solar System and galaxies beyond our own. From the fiery mass of the Sun’s core to the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way, this fully illustrated masterpiece is breathtaking and an out-of-this-world reference for all the family. “Groundbreaking and innovative.” www.tiscali.co.uk Ian Ridpath has been a full-time writer, broadcaster, and lecturer on Astronomy and space since 1972 and has been the author or editor of over forty book titles. Ian currently lives in Brentford in West London. Have you always had an interest in astronomy, when did it first develop? I have been interested in astronomy since childhood, when I learned that light from the stars takes many years to reach us. For someone whose own age was still measured in single figures, that was a remarkably Big Thought. Not long after that, the first satellites went into space, followed by the first humans; the Space Age had started. Since then I have seen men walking on the Moon; close-up views of all the planets, and views from the surface of some; the discovery of planets around other stars; and the dating of the origin of the Universe. It has been an extraordinary time to be alive and to write about. To many people, astronomy and space exploration seem relentlessly technological, with their giant telescopes, fire-belching rockets and robotic probes, but they are simply the latest expression of the ancient sense of inquiry about ourselves and the nature of the world around us. What could have deeper meaning than to understand the origin and evolution of the Universe and to search for life elsewhere? Anyone can share in the romance of the stars using nothing more sophisticated than their own eyes coupled with a pair of binoculars and a set of star charts. For those who wish to become more deeply involved, astronomy is one of the sciences to which amateurs can still make worthwhile contributions, such as by following the brightness variations of certain stars, logging the activity of meteor showers, or discovering comets. With modern digital cameras, amateurs can take images of the night sky that compare with those from professional observatories not many years ago. This is a golden age for amateur astronomy. Is there a particular part of Astronomy that you find the most interesting? I have become particularly interested in the origins and mythology of the constellations - how our ancestors imagined and interpreted the sky. It's an insight into the ancient mind. This has led to an interest in antique star atlases, which I collect. These are enduring works of art, linking the humanities and the sciences. Great art can come from science. I am also interested in the way in which ordinary people can misinterpret what they see in the sky. The majority of UFO reports, for example, are due to misperception of celestial objects, mostly by people who are not familiar with them. It remains unfortunately true that, although we live in the space age, most people today know less about the sky than those who built Stonehenge or the Pyramids. The most celebrated UFO case I have investigated took place twenty-five years ago in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk, near a US Air Force base. This turned out to be due to a misperception of celestial objects plus a lighthouse on the coast, but some people still regard this as one of the finest UFO cases in the world. Needless to say, this experience has led me to become highly skeptical of UFO sightings. Quick Questions: Who is your favourite author? Carl Sagan combined a tremendous intellect with deep humanity and a natural literacy that made him one of the finest science writers. Another writer I admire is Arthur C. Clarke, for his factual science writing rather than his science fiction. What is your favourite book? Favourites change over time, and I no more have a favourite book than a favourite painting. But I do remember when I was at school that I enjoyed being in bed with flu for a few days so I could re-read The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle. What is your idea of happiness? A character in a V. S. Pritchett story said that the secret of happiness is to find a congenial monotony, although I would term that contentment rather than true happiness. I think true happiness involves three components: to enjoy what you do, to enjoy where you are, and to have someone to share it with. Most people are lucky if they get two out of three. Where in the world would you like to be? Planet Earth is a particularly favourable place for carbon-based life forms and I¹m quite happy with my little patch of it, I¹m pleased to say. For more about Ian Ridpath see: www.ianridpath.com