Do you have a fascination with space? The different subjects related to space feels as immense as the universe itself. There are nonfiction books about stargazing and sci-fi books that cover inter-planetary life. So where do we begin? Since the new moon will occur today — the first of eight cyclical lunar phases that typically come about once per month — consider checking out the books below for a range of reads dedicated to all things astronomy!
Are we alone in the universe? Why are planets spherical? Why is poor ol’ Pluto no longer a planet? An Earthling’s Guide to Outer Space by Bob McDonald, a science journalist and the host of CBC’s Quirks & Quarks, unravels these questions, and then some. The book is divided into four parts, such as a section on big questions and another about our home on earth, that contain several questions you may not know you’ve had until now. These questions are answered in a digestible way that non-science majors, like me, can understand. Gasp at the facts and become mesmerized by the sheer gravity (ha!) of our universe — and perhaps McDonald will get you into an astronomy phase if you’re not already full-timing it, whether you’re in it for life beyond earth or crave scientific knowledge surrounding how our galaxy works the way it does (although they both certainly have intersections between them!).
Darn you, light pollution! How many times have you watched a film or television show that flaunt the skies above us, showing the vast specks of glitter plastered across the dark night? Well, it’s quite hard for city folk and those in suburban areas to see the Milky Way. Even more, it feels just as difficult to capture the stars from way down here on these busy, bright streets. Well, Dark Skies: A Practical Guide to Astrotourism by Valerie Stimac has some bucket list-worthy recommendations for us to catch the best of the stars from our little blue planet!
Some dark places to admire the galaxy above us stretch from Mont-Mégantic in southern Quebec to Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park in South Korea. The book lists the ideal time to visit these locations, in addition to facts and helpful websites. There are also some short guides, like “Astrophotography for Beginners” on page 27, if you’re looking to get into the hobby. Some other sections include meteor showers and auroras, in case you want to catch other astronomical events that ignite the skies with natural bright lights.
Since today is the new moon, consider checking out Moon: An Illustrated History by astrobiologist Dr. David Warmflash for everything about earth’s closest celestial body. From its formation 4.5 billion years ago to the book’s final section with a 2019–2044 timeline, “Building a Lunar Infrastructure,” indulge in the gorgeous photographs and illustrations of this complete moon book. If you’re intrigued by “Human Computers,” a section in the book, you also might like the movie Hidden Figures (2017). Lots of underappreciated African American women were integral to NASA’s projects. I’ve been craving a book with information about the Space Race era for a while, and this book scratches that itch, plus curiosity about a whole range of other moon-related history.
If you’re looking for a short read to quickly grasp parts of the past 14 billion years, Space at the Speed of Light by Dr. Becky Smethurst will be your best friend. It starts out with gravity and its significance, soon turning to the moon’s phases within the same chapter and then, fittingly, briefly describing how a new moon takes place when the moon is positioned between the earth and the sun so that light hits the opposite part of the moon that doesn’t face us.
Nothingness before the Big Bang, how to locate planets that resemble earth, and the likelihood of other intelligent life. Dr. Becky Smethurst, a content creator on YouTube and astrophysicist at the University of Oxford, provides her insights and knowledge into these topics in bite-sized chapters. The illustrations are both simultaneously gorgeous in design yet simple enough to be easily comprehended. It also shines in approaching scientific topics in a conversational and introductory manner, making it clear for those of us who are just diving into these subjects. (For instance, I’ll now forever equate the discovery of 51 Pegasi b with the release of Toy Story, which both occurred in 1995, as noted on page 67.)
Prince Kiem is suddenly forced by the emperor, who’s his grandmother, to marry his cousin’s husband. Tomorrow. All in the name of galactic politics. For sci-fi and space opera fans out there, here’s Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell, a novel with out-of-this-world world building that combines politics and romance. The tensions get even higher when there are suspicions that Kiem’s cousin was murdered, rather than his death being a tragic accident as previously thought. Sprinkling this bit of mystery equates to a beautifully crafted and multifaceted plot, one that isn’t hard to follow but hard to stop reading.
Poetry and science, two spheres that many of us didn’t know could intersect until now. The Universe in Verse by Maria Popova blurs the line between the two, presenting essays on multiple scientific topics and how science can be reflected in poems by Emily Dickison, Maya Angelou, and more. It’s a sophisticated read that’s displayed in an elegant book. Each poem is preceded by a short essay on a scientific topic such as dark matter. Popova puts it best in the introduction, asserting how amalgamating poetry and science can help us understand and love the world better. It also must be said that the title is as captivating as the contents of the book itself!
Imagine yourself living on the moon. What do you see? A sci-fi depiction of lunar colonies with bustling life and futuristic tech? Or maybe it’s serene, too serene. Mix in some loneliness and melancholy with the latter and that’s essentially how Mooncop by Tom Gauld presents human life on the moon. This short and minimalistic graphic novel shows a Mooncop, the sole and only Mooncop, lending a hand to the moon’s dwindling number of inhabitants. While the dark blue skies and its white specks are gorgeous, there’s an almost overpowering sense of isolation that sits with the peace and quiet.
What are your takeaways from this book? It’s one that I feel can be interpreted in interesting ways. Oh, and by the way, there’s a space dog in it.
Every time I think about Star Wars, I can’t help but to play “Star Wars (Main Title)” or “March of the Resistance” in my mind. That’s the magic of John Williams! It’s certainly no different when I’m flipping through Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Marc Sumerak, a cookbook that presents the most mouth-watering dishes inspired by the universe full of Stormtroopers and lightsabers.
I hope I don’t get attacked for this, but aside from what I remember it being the first Star Wars (1997) movie, I’ve never delved into the franchise at all. That includes the films, TV shows, and video games. However, it has always looked really captivating to me, and the presentation of the recipes in this cookbook is no different. The cyan Chadian Dressing (p. 35), mint green Topato Soup (p. 73), and Zoochberry Surprise (p. 137) make me incredibly curious for a taste! Side note: I loved the commentary by Strono Tuggs, aka Cookie; it’s very entertaining and presents the recipes in an immersive way with lots of personality.
That’s all for now, fellow astronauts — I hope you’ve enjoyed the space ride! If you’re itching to explore other planets, then take a look at my list below and play some video games set in outer space! Unfortunately, most of us can’t board a rocket and see the earth from far above, so these games can be the next best thing.