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The Universe Explained: The Earth-Dweller's Guide to the Mysteries of Space
A fully illustrated reference guide to exactly how the universe works explores the cosmos while clearly explaining the mechanics involved in its existence, bringing the most difficult of astronomical theories down to an understandable level. 30,000 first printing. $25,000 ad/promo.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1994
About the author
Colin A. Ronan
76 books3 followersColin A. Ronan was a British author and specialist in the history and philosophy of science.
He was educated at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire and served in the British Army from 1940–1946, achieving the rank of major. After the war he obtained a BSc in Astronomy, and then took an administrative post at the secretariat of The Royal Society. While there he did an MSc in the History and Philosophy of Science under Herbert Dingle at University College London. After leaving the Royal Society he took up writing, and during a long career as an author produced over forty books, mainly on astronomy, and the history and philosophy of science. Later in life he collaborated with Joseph Needham on an abridgement of Needham's great work on China, producing The Shorter Science and Civilization in China in several volumes. He played key roles in the administration of the British Astronomical Association, where he was president from 1989 to 1991, and for many years he was the editor of its journal, and director of the historical section.
For a considerable period in the 1980s and early 1990s he collaborated with Sir Patrick Moore in lecture tours. These lecture tours took the form of weekend residential symposia on single topics such as the return of Halley’s Comet. Notable and hilarious, the interplay between Ronan’s sober and intellectual analysis along with Moore’s more extravagant character, led frequent disagreements that were usually solved over several bottles of red wine. These weekends were an enormous success and made a valuable and irreplaceable contribution to the amateur astronomical scene
With his second wife Ann, he founded the Ronan Picture Library, which specialises in scientific and historical pictures. Among his many books on the history of science were studies of scientists such as Galileo, William Herschel and Edmond Halley. He also wrote scientific books for children, along with books such as The Practical Astronomer (1981) written for beginner amateur astronomers.
Ronan had an asteroid named in honour of his achievements: 4024 Ronan belongs to the Floras family, discovered by E. Bowell on November 24, 1981, at Anderson Mesa.
He was educated at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire and served in the British Army from 1940–1946, achieving the rank of major. After the war he obtained a BSc in Astronomy, and then took an administrative post at the secretariat of The Royal Society. While there he did an MSc in the History and Philosophy of Science under Herbert Dingle at University College London. After leaving the Royal Society he took up writing, and during a long career as an author produced over forty books, mainly on astronomy, and the history and philosophy of science. Later in life he collaborated with Joseph Needham on an abridgement of Needham's great work on China, producing The Shorter Science and Civilization in China in several volumes. He played key roles in the administration of the British Astronomical Association, where he was president from 1989 to 1991, and for many years he was the editor of its journal, and director of the historical section.
For a considerable period in the 1980s and early 1990s he collaborated with Sir Patrick Moore in lecture tours. These lecture tours took the form of weekend residential symposia on single topics such as the return of Halley’s Comet. Notable and hilarious, the interplay between Ronan’s sober and intellectual analysis along with Moore’s more extravagant character, led frequent disagreements that were usually solved over several bottles of red wine. These weekends were an enormous success and made a valuable and irreplaceable contribution to the amateur astronomical scene
With his second wife Ann, he founded the Ronan Picture Library, which specialises in scientific and historical pictures. Among his many books on the history of science were studies of scientists such as Galileo, William Herschel and Edmond Halley. He also wrote scientific books for children, along with books such as The Practical Astronomer (1981) written for beginner amateur astronomers.
Ronan had an asteroid named in honour of his achievements: 4024 Ronan belongs to the Floras family, discovered by E. Bowell on November 24, 1981, at Anderson Mesa.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 16, 2020
As it celebrates the wonder and awe that has led stargazers to explore the wider world beyond our planet, this coffee-table-sized book offers readers stunning color photographs and illustrations to help expand their understanding of the cosmos. Using familiar examples from the everyday world to tie theory and experience together, “The Universe Explained” helps readers understand astronomical findings and conclusions.
Divided into five sections, “The Universe Explained” investigates different aspects of the universe, considers the theories of the evolution of the cosmos, and examines the way the universe works, clearly illustrating how everything fits together.
“Observatory Earth,” explains how astronomy works while “The Planets” surveys each of the planets in the solar system. “Sun and Stars” looks at the types of stars in the universe; star cities and superclusters of galaxies are explored in “Nebulae and Galaxies.” Finally, “How the Universe Works” ties everything together.
Each double-page spread offers readers a self-contained story; cross-referencing helps explain how various areas of astronomy are related. Readers with an interest in space and astronomy will find much to appreciate here.
Highly recommended.
Divided into five sections, “The Universe Explained” investigates different aspects of the universe, considers the theories of the evolution of the cosmos, and examines the way the universe works, clearly illustrating how everything fits together.
“Observatory Earth,” explains how astronomy works while “The Planets” surveys each of the planets in the solar system. “Sun and Stars” looks at the types of stars in the universe; star cities and superclusters of galaxies are explored in “Nebulae and Galaxies.” Finally, “How the Universe Works” ties everything together.
Each double-page spread offers readers a self-contained story; cross-referencing helps explain how various areas of astronomy are related. Readers with an interest in space and astronomy will find much to appreciate here.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 of 1 review