Stars Above, Earth Below: A Guide to Astronomy in the National Parks by Nordgren
Stars Above, Earth Below uses photographs and sky charts to form a connection between what is seen on the ground and in the sky, and looks at the deeper scientific meaning behind these sights. Nordgren describes other objects in the Solar System with features similar to those on Earth and links the geological features seen in the national parks to the very latest NASA spacecraft discoveries on other planets and their moons. Additionally, historical context is discussed to show why we humans (who have lived in and around our national parts for tens of thousands of years) have always been astronomers. The first book to make direct connections between astronomy and the landscapes, processes and cultures one experiences in the US National Parks Each chapter ties a specific astronomical phenomenon to a particular National Park or type of park and concludes with a “See for yourself” section that shows you how to see the planets, stars, nebulae, moons, etc. that are described within that chapter A personal guide showing the reader the astronomical phenomena that you can see for yourself when visiting the U.S. National ParksProduct IdentifiersPublisherSpringerISBN-101441916482ISBN-139781441916488eBay Product ID (ePID)81759754Product Key FeaturesAuthorTyler NordgrenPublication NameStars Above, Earth below : a Guide to Astronomy in the National ParksFormatTrade PaperbackLanguageEnglishSeriesSpringer Praxis Bks.Publication Year2010TypeTextbookNumber of PagesXii, 444 PagesDimensionsItem Length9.5in.Item Width6.7in.Length9.5in.Item Weight33.2 OzAdditional Product FeaturesNumber of Volumes1 Vol.Lc Classification NumberQ162ReviewsFrom the reviews: A photo essay on a years-long journey to see the natural wonders of dark skies over America’s most beautiful landscapes … and visions of future exploration of the planets — Stars Above, Earth Below is all of these. … Nordgren’s text is accompanied by a truly exorbitant number of photos and diagrams … . The book will delight space fans, but I think that it will do a greater public service by exposing those people who already love … places seen throughout the Space Age. (Emily Lakdawalla, The Planetary Society Blog, December, 2010) There are numerous field books on astronomy on the market, but this new book stands out. Astronomer Nordgren … spent 14 months traveling across the US, visiting 12 national parks and contributing to their nighttime public outreach programs. The result is this beautiful diary of the author’s experiences and account of the unique aspects of the night sky at each site. … Most chapters are illustrated with beautiful color photos, many of them taken by Nordgren. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 48 (3), November, 2010) Appeal to readers with a wider interest in wild landscapes. … the book is an excellent example of the growing global trend of developing partnerships between astronomers and environmental managers. … includes a good number of eye-catching images and illustrations to draw the reader into its themes. As a general introduction to astronomy the style is individual and idiosyncratic. The approach weaves together, for example, personal anecdotes, philosophical observations, and practical seasonal star-charts. (Dan Hillier, The Observatory, Vol. 131 (1222), June, 2011), From the reviews: “A photo essay on a years-long journey to see the natural wonders of dark skies over America’s most beautiful landscapes … and visions of future exploration of the planets — Stars Above, Earth Below is all of these. … Nordgren’s text is accompanied by a truly exorbitant number of photos and diagrams … . The book will delight space fans, but I think that it will do a greater public service by exposing those people who already love … places seen throughout the Space Age.” (Emily Lakdawalla, The Planetary Society Blog, December, 2010) “There are numerous field books on astronomy on the market, but this new book stands out. Astronomer Nordgren … spent 14 months traveling across the US, visiting 12 national parks and contributing to their nighttime public outreach programs. The result is this beautiful diary of the author’s experiences and account of the unique aspects of the night sky at each site. … Most chapters are illustrated with beautiful color photos, many of them taken by Nordgren. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.” (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 48 (3), November, 2010) “Appeal to readers with a wider interest in wild landscapes. … the book is an excellent example of the growing global trend of developing partnerships between astronomers and environmental managers. … includes a good number of eye-catching images and illustrations to draw the reader into its themes. As a general introduction to astronomy the style is individual and idiosyncratic. The approach weaves together, for example, personal anecdotes, philosophical observations, and practical seasonal star-charts.” (Dan Hillier, The Observatory, Vol. 131 (1222), June, 2011), From the reviews:A photo essay on a years-long journey to see the natural wonders of dark skies over America’s most beautiful landscapes … and visions of future exploration of the planets — Stars Above, Earth Below is all of these. … Nordgren’s text is accompanied by a truly exorbitant number of photos and diagrams … . The book will delight space fans, but I think that it will do a greater public service by exposing those people who already love … places seen throughout the Space Age. (Emily Lakdawalla, The Planetary Society Blog, December, 2010)There are numerous field books on astronomy on the market, but this new book stands out. Astronomer Nordgren … spent 14 months traveling across the US, visiting 12 national parks and contributing to their nighttime public outreach programs. The result is this beautiful diary of the author’s experiences and account of the unique aspects of the night sky at each site. … Most chapters are illustrated with beautiful color photos, many of them taken by Nordgren. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 48 (3), November, 2010)Appeal to readers with a wider interest in wild landscapes. … the book is an excellent example of the growing global trend of developing partnerships between astronomers and environmental managers. … includes a good number of eye-catching images and illustrations to draw the reader into its themes. As a general introduction to astronomy the style is individual and idiosyncratic. The approach weaves together, for example, personal anecdotes, philosophical observations, and practical seasonal star-charts. (Dan Hillier, The Observatory, Vol. 131 (1222), June, 2011)Table of ContentCome see the Milky Way.- Black hole Sun.- Tides on a cosmic shore.- Worlds of fire and ice.- Red rock planet.- Glaciers and Goldilocks: a tale of three planets.- Autumn Moon.- Our cosmic connection.- Worlds without number.- Far away and long ago: the Universe before you.- Starry sky national park.Copyright Date2010Target AudienceScholarly & ProfessionalTopicEarth Sciences / Geology, Earth Sciences / General, Parks & Campgrounds, AstronomyIllustratedYesGenreTravel, Science