Martin J. Rees

Here highly regarded British astronomer Rees offers his personal takes on the "tensions that can arise between scientists, the public, and policymakers" when it comes to addressing today's raft of global threats and challenges such as climate change. These threats are mostly traceable, I'd say, to the world's gross overpopulation, though Rees steers clear of saying that. The book has sections on what science is and how it works; connections with the military; different countries' science policies, organizations, and education (largely but not wholly focusing on the UK and the US), and various other topics and issues regarding the milieux for scientific work. How can we get political leaders to read it all?… (more)

This lavishly illustrated Smithsonian guide begins with our home galaxy, the Milky Way, and the multitude of stars that are part of this spiral galaxy. Readers can investigate Stars, the Life Cycle of Stars, Star Formation, Main-Sequence Stars, Old Stars, Stellar End Points, Multiple Stars, Variable Stars, Star Clusters, and Extra-Solar Planets.

Moving beyond the Milky Way, readers discover the different Types of Galaxies, learn about Galaxy Evolution, and explore both Active Galaxies and Galaxy Clusters. Then look to the Night Sky and delve into the story of constellations. Learn the history of Constellations and then Map the Sky while following the Guide to the Constellations.

Cosmologist/astrophysicist Martin Rees serves as the editor for this Smithsonian guide, which includes an extensive glossary. Photographs, diagrams, and charts all play a part in educating the reader on this fascinating tour through the Milky Way where readers will find stars being born and dying stars collapsing. Then readers will explore the past as they travel trillions of miles to the very edge of the universe.

Highly recommended.… (more)