Space 101: Astronomy in simple words

by Halim Ashkar

Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has looked up and gazed into the unknown, seeking answers to fundamental Why is the sky blue? Why do stars twinkle? Where do asteroids come from? What is a black hole? When did galaxies form? What is dark matter and dark energy? How did it all begin? And how will it all end?

If you have questions, this book has answers. And if it does not have an answer, it will take you to the frontier of our ignorance, to the edge of what we know.

Our journey begins close to home, in the solar system and our neighboring planets. Then we will venture into deep space exploring stars and alien worlds. We will continue with a tour of our galaxy and take off to other galaxies and far beyond. We will learn about the Universe as a whole, taking a deep look into its mysteries. By the end, you will understand how we learned it all.

Why Space 101? This is not a university book, and you do not need a degree to understand it. It is for anyone who is curious about Astronomy and is eager to learn more. So, think of Space 101 as a starting point – a basic guide to help you understand the wonders of Astronomy.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2024

About the author

Halim Ashkar was born in Lebanon in 1993. His interest in Astronomy started at the age of 7 when he discovered an old encyclopedia in his parent’s house and fell on the Astronomy section. He went to school in Lebanon until the age of 17. Due to the lack of Astrophysics degrees in his country, and his uncertainty of travel, he decided to start with his plan B in life. He did a BE in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Physics opening the door for a future in Physics and Astrophysics. He then traveled to Paris to pursue his passion for space sciences, his Plan A. He was awarded a Master’s in Astrophysics from the Paris Observatory and Paris Science et Lettres University. Three years later he was awarded a Ph. D degree in Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology from the Paris-Saclay University and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. In the same year, he was awarded French citizenship. Halim Ashkar is now a contractual researcher in Astrophysics at the prestigious École Polytechnique since 2021.

Aside from his primary research role and his hobby of DJing, Halim’s genuine enthusiasm lies in sharing his passion for space sciences. This inspired the creation of his first book: "Space 101 - Astronomy in Simple Words."