Under Alien Skies
A Sightseer's Guide to the Universe
2 June 2023
Description
A rip-roaring tour of the cosmos with the Bad Astronomer, revealing the sky as never seen before—from everywhere but Earth
How would Saturn’s rings look from a spaceship sailing just above them? If you were falling into a black hole, what’s the last thing you’d see before your spaghettification? What would it be like to visit the faraway places we currently experience only through high-powered telescopes and robotic emissaries? Faster-than-light travel may never be invented, but we can still take the scenic route through the universe with renowned astronomer and science communicator Philip Plait.
On this lively, immersive adventure through the cosmos, Plait draws ingeniously on the latest scientific research to transport readers to ten spectacular sites, from our own familiar Moon to the outer reaches of our solar system and far beyond. Whether strolling through a dust storm under Mars’ butterscotch sky, witnessing the birth of a star or getting dizzy in a technicolour nebula, Plait is an illuminating, entertaining guide to the most otherworldly views in our universe.
Reviews
"A terrific guide to our spectacular universe...Plait is a skilled, resourceful and, on occasion, downright visionary guide to the far reaches of outer space. " — Simon Ings, New Scientist
"Plait has a well-deserved reputation as a lively and accurate communicator of cutting-edge science, and this universal tour guide offers a great opportunity for him to flex his explanatory muscles... this is a hugely enjoyable read that brings a new perspective to the cosmos. " — Giles Sparrow, BBC Sky at Night Magazine
"Vivid and tangible… Even a visit to the Moon, our closest and most familiar heavenly body, gave me fresh insights under Philip Plait’s guidance" — Clive Cookson, Financial Times
"Phil Plait takes us to nearby worlds and star systems far, far away, where we do plenty of exploration, a bit of astronomical science, and a lot of marveling. But it’s the descriptions of your spaceships and suits that will keep you strapped in and reading on. His flights of science fiction fantasy are scientific—and absolutely spectacular. Enjoy the rides." — Bill Nye, CEO, The Planetary Society
"A rollicking, wondrous, and awe-inspiring introduction to the universe. Phil Plait’s writing transports us to other worlds and in the process helps us to appreciate our own world." — John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars and The Anthropocene Reviewed
"Plait takes us on a cosmic journey—a vivid guidebook for space tourists in the distant future." — Clive Cookson, Financial Times
