When we look at clouds in our sky, we can sometimes make out shapes. This is called pareidolia, where the human brain finds shapes or patterns hidden in random images. This can also happen with nebulas – clouds of dust and gas in space. There are two main types of nebulas; bright and dark. There are four types of bright nebulas; emission, reflection, planetary and supernova remnants. This book covers 14 strange and interesting nebulas in our galaxy. Find out more about these fun nebulas in this short 15-minute book. Ages 8 and up. All measurements in American and metric. Reading level: 6.9 LearningIsland.com believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

Dark Matter, Dark Energy and Dark Gravity make life possible!This book for the lay reader provides a summary of the latest astrophysical observational results and theoretical insights into what we know and what we hope to learn about dark matter, dark energy, and dark gravity.How did the profound beauty of our Earth, our Solar System, our Milky Way galaxy and indeed our universe unfold? Dark matter, dark energy, and dark gravity have made all the difference in how the universe has developed, and have been key to creating the overall environment that makes life possible. We have only recently developed the ability to begin unlocking their secrets, thus providing a deeper insight into how a universe of our type is possible. It seems that because of dark matter, dark energy and dark (weak) gravity, our universe has the right attributes for the development of complex structure and the evolution of intelligent life that can engage in the quest to understand our world. These "dark" or more hidden attributes of the cosmos have very good outcomes.In particular, the existence of dark matter makes it easier to form complex structures, including galaxies, stars and planets through gravitational collapse of denser regions of the universe. Planets are the most suitable abodes for the development of life. Dark energy acts to extend the lifetime of the universe by counteracting gravity and driving continued expansion of the universe.Even as far back as the 1930s there has been evidence that most of the matter in the universe was not visible via electromagnetic radiation (optical light, radio waves, etc.). By the last few decades of the 20th century, the case for a considerable amount of this dark matter was very strong. It is the second largest contributor to the total mass-energy of the universe. We don't know what it is and there are various candidates to explain it; nevertheless we see the gravitational effects of dark matter everywhere on the largest scales. Recent observational results indicate that dark matter dominates by a factor of 6 relative to the ordinary matter that makes up stars, planets, and living things.We now know that the major contributor to the mass-energy of the universe is not the substantial dark matter, but the 'newer' so-called dark energy. Dark energy acts to some extent as a negative gravity, and for the last several billion years has driven the expansion of the universe to a faster and faster pace, overcoming even the gravitational effect of dark matter. We have a general idea that it is the irreducible energy found in every volume of space, even in the absence of matter - in the vacuum. We don't understand why it takes the value that it does, one that is small in quantum particle physics terms, but nevertheless is of great significance on the large cosmological scale of the universe. The third important aspect to consider is not a mass-energy component, but the nature of gravity and space-time. The big question here is - why is gravity so relatively weak, as compared to the other 3 forces of nature? These 3 forces are the electromagnetic force, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force. Gravity is different - it has a dark or hidden side. It may very well operate in extra dimensions beyond the normal 4 dimensions of space-time that we can observe. This is what we mean in this book by "dark gravity".

Some time ago, the renowned astronomer Patrick Moore - best known for his BBC TV programme The Sky at Night which has screened continuously for 42 years - devised a catalogue of 109 deep space (galaxies, nebulae, clusters) objects to which he has lent his middle name Caldwell. Thus Caldwell objects, numbered C1 to C109.Why Caldwell and not Moore? The most famous of all catalogues of astronomical objects was created by Charles Messier in 1774, and these are designated by M1 to M109, so Patrick Moore could not use his own surname, but instead elected to use his middle name Caldwell. And Patrick Moore chose 109 object to match Messier, though it is important to understand that not one of Patrick Moore's objects overlaps with Charles Messier's.Messier was in fact a comet hunter - in the eighteenth century comets were not understood at all and had huge significance when they appeared blazing across the clear skies, as yet free from the light pollution we experience. He catalogued galaxies, nebulae and clusters not because he was particularly interested in those objects, but because he did not want these objects to be confused with ne

A thought provoking study of the powerful impact of images in guiding astronomers' understanding of galaxies through time.

This book contains everything an astronomer needs to know about binocular observing. The book takes an in-depth look at the instruments themselves. It has sections on evaluating and buying binoculars and binocular telescopes, their care, mounting, and accessories. In addition there is a selection of fifty fine objects to be seen with 50mm and 100mm binoculars. The advantages of using both eyes for astronomical observing are many and considerable, largely because of the way the human brain processes visual information. This book enables the astronomer to maximize those advantages.

INTRODUCTION This is part of a series called Hubble Focus. Each book presents some of Hubble's more recent and important ob- servations within a particular topic. The subjects span from our nearby solar system out to the horizon of Hubble's ob- servable universe. This book, Hubble Focus: The Lives of Stars, highlights some of Hubble's recent discoveries about the birth, evolution, and death of stars. Hubble's contributions are often in partnership with other space telescopes as well as those on the ground, and they build on decades of discoveries that came before Hubble's launch. Its findings are helping us under- stand how our universe has come to be the way it is today.

Winner of the 2019 Phi Beta Kappa Award for Science "A valuable perspective on the most important problem of our time." —Adam Becker, NPR Light of the Stars tells the story of humanity’s coming of age as we realize we might not be alone in this universe. Astrophysicist Adam Frank traces the question of alien life from the ancient Greeks to modern thinkers, and he demonstrates that recognizing the possibility of its existence might be the key to save us from climate change. With clarity and conviction, Light of the Stars asks the consequential question: What can the likely presence of life on other planets tell us about our own fate?

The Andromeda Galaxy, or M31, is an attractive galaxy for astronomers. It is close to us, it is of about the size of our galaxy, it provides some intriguing observational puzzles because the galaxy is nearly edge-on, and many objects can be studied in detail, because they are still sufficiently bright. With the current developments in instrumentation with which increasingly detailed studies of the Andromeda Galaxy can be made, this book provides a solid foundation for the start of new observations. This book is a mine of information about M31. It can be used as a reference by insiders, and at the same time it provides easy access for newcomers to the field.

The steering committee was specifically asked to (1) provide an overview of the current state of astronomy and astrophysics science, and technology research in support of that science, with connections to other scientific areas where appropriate; (2) identify the most compelling science challenges and frontiers in astronomy and astrophysics, which shall motivate the committee’s strategy for the future; (3) develop a comprehensive research strategy to advance the frontiers of astronomy and astrophysics for the period 2022-2032 that will include identifying, recommending, and ranking the highest-priority research activities; (4) utilize and recommend decision rules, where appropriate, that can accommodate significant but reasonable deviations in the projected budget or changes in urgency precipitated by new discoveries or unanticipated competitive activities; (5) assess the state of the profession, including workforce and demographic issues in the field, identify areas of concern and importance to the community, and where possible, provide specific, actionable, and practical recommendations to the agencies and community to address these areas. This report proposes a broad, integrated plan for space- and ground-based astronomy and astrophysics for the decade 2023-2032. It also lays the foundations for further advances in the following decade.

In the darkest region of explored space sits a bright beacon; Freeground Station. Serving as a supply and trading post it is home to a select number of human beings that will take a desperate chance to make a difference in their end of the galaxy. - Contains the entire First Light Chronicles Trilogy. A Space Opera Adventure enjoyed across the globe by all ages and downloaded over a million times.