What do you think?
Rate this book
Visual Galaxy: The Ultimate Guide to the Milky Way and Beyond
This compelling visual journey through our galaxy combines more than 350 photographs, illustrations, and graphics to present the universe as you’ve never seen it before.
Visual Galaxy is a deep dive into the past, present, and future of our home galaxy, the Milky Way. In this mind-expanding visual tour through the cosmos, spectacular photographs are converted into interpretive graphics, starting with the sun and moving outward into space where stars are born, black holes lurk, and planets of diverse size and anatomy spin through their orbit. The final chapters locate our galaxy within the known universe and add a scintillating peek of other exoplanets in the cosmos. Detailed maps and fascinating imagery from recent space missions are paired with clear, authoritative scientific information.
Visual Galaxy is a deep dive into the past, present, and future of our home galaxy, the Milky Way. In this mind-expanding visual tour through the cosmos, spectacular photographs are converted into interpretive graphics, starting with the sun and moving outward into space where stars are born, black holes lurk, and planets of diverse size and anatomy spin through their orbit. The final chapters locate our galaxy within the known universe and add a scintillating peek of other exoplanets in the cosmos. Detailed maps and fascinating imagery from recent space missions are paired with clear, authoritative scientific information.
324 pages, Hardcover
Published October 22, 2019
3 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
National Geographic Society
4,223 books1,114 followersThe National Geographic Society (NGS), headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States, is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world.
Founded in 1888, its interests include geography, archaeology, and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, and the study of world culture and history. The National Geographic Society's logo is a yellow portrait frame—rectangular in shape—which appears on the margins surrounding the front covers of its magazines and as its television channel logo. Through National Geographic Partners (a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company), the Society operates the magazine, TV channels, a website, worldwide events, and other media operations.
Founded in 1888, its interests include geography, archaeology, and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, and the study of world culture and history. The National Geographic Society's logo is a yellow portrait frame—rectangular in shape—which appears on the margins surrounding the front covers of its magazines and as its television channel logo. Through National Geographic Partners (a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company), the Society operates the magazine, TV channels, a website, worldwide events, and other media operations.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 24, 2019
Confession: I’ve become addicted to these National Geographic books. The quality is outstanding as we’ve always expected from Nat Geo, and I learn so much from reading them. Visual Galaxy is exactly what you’d expect and more. It’s our beloved Milky Way in pictures, looking at its past, present, and future.
Visual Galaxy doesn’t stop there, though. It also gives us a glimpse into our galaxy’s position within the vast universe.
I adored this from the cover; I must have stared at it for several minutes. The inside is just as stunning, and I don’t know what else to add other than if you are interested in the Milky Way and beyond, you definitely have to check this one out.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Visual Galaxy doesn’t stop there, though. It also gives us a glimpse into our galaxy’s position within the vast universe.
I adored this from the cover; I must have stared at it for several minutes. The inside is just as stunning, and I don’t know what else to add other than if you are interested in the Milky Way and beyond, you definitely have to check this one out.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
June 21, 2020
Visual Galaxy: The Ultimate Guide to the Milky Way and Beyond is an excellent idea with tremendous photos and illustrations. It is, however, a quite bad book because of numerous mistakes in the text. Here’s what I spotted on just a casual reading:
Page 54, “Stellar Nurseries” states that in star-forming nebulae, “the most abundant gas is hydrogen, found in diatomic form (hydrogen dioxide).” Hydrogen dioxide is not diatomic hydrogen, which is simply two hydrogen atomic bounded together, H2. Hydrogen dioxide is another molecule, HO2, and isn’t even diatomic. (Diatomic means the molecule has two atoms, and hydrogen dioxide has three.)
Page 64, “Brilliance and Distance” has a diagram showing the distance and apparent magnitude of some stars close to our sun. Sirius is shown as a double star about 8 light years from the sun and is listed as having an apparent magnitude of 10.94. This is incorrect for the double star as a whole (m=-1.46), for Sirius A (m=-1.47) and Sirius B (m=8.44).
On the same diagram, Procyon is listed as having an apparent magnitude of 11.40, but this is a mistake for its distance from the sun, 11.4 light years.
Pages 64-65, “What is a Light Year” states one light year is 9.46 billion kilometers or 5.88 billion miles. This is off by a factor of 1,000, as a light year is 9.46 TRILLION km or 5.88 TRILLION mi.
Page 120, “Our Galactic Arm” states the Gould Belt has “a high concentration of young O- and B-type stars, including our sun.” Our sun is a G-type star.
Page 130, “The Sun’s Atmosphere” states that the sun’s “atmosphere’s outermost layer is the photosphere.” The photosphere is the INNERMOST layer of the atmosphere, as illustrated correctly on that page.
Page 138, “Maturation of the Sun” states the sun “will stay stable for several million more years.” This too is off by a factor of 1,000, as the sun will stay stable for a few more BILLION years.
Page 154, “Solar Probes” states that the Parker Solar Probe will get closer to the sun than any previous spacecraft, at “64,373,776 kilometers [four million mi]”. The miles are off by a factor of 10; 40 million miles is correct.
Pages 170-171, “The Size of the Solar System” has a table of information about the planets of our solar system. For diameter, the table uses a comma as a thousands separator for six planets but inconsistently uses a period or decimal point for Mercury and Venus. Thus, Venus is listed as “12.104 km [7.521 mi]” while Earth is listed as “12,756 km [7,926 mi]. Earth of course is not a thousand times the diameter of Venus; both planets are about the same size.
Page 216, “Mars and Earth” compares aspects of the two planets, stating the “Red Planet’s lack of liquid water and its thicker atmosphere…” Mars actually has a much THINNER atmosphere than does Earth.
Page 218-219, “Map of Mars” shows a geographical feature called Alba Patera.
This is the feature’s old name; it is now called Alba Mons. Pages 222-223, “Volcanoes in the Solar System” uses the correct name, Alba Mons. Of course, anyone going back to the map to find Alba Mons has to guess that Alba Patera and Alba Mons are the same.
By this time I was deeply dissatisfied with the accuracy of the text. I finally gave up soon after in the section on Gas Giants, in particular Jupiter. In some places its atmosphere is described as “mostly of hydrogen” and “whole atmosphere is basically made of hydrogen,” but elsewhere text states gas giants’ atmospheres are “mostly of hydrogen and helium.” The chart on Jupiter’s atmosphere lists hydrogen gas, water, ammonium hydrosulfide, and ammonia as components. Better editing would have made this much less confusing. Jupiter’s atmosphere is mostly hydrogen (about 90%) with some helium (nearly 10%), plus some trace compounds (including ammonia, sulfur, methane, and water vapor).
Page 54, “Stellar Nurseries” states that in star-forming nebulae, “the most abundant gas is hydrogen, found in diatomic form (hydrogen dioxide).” Hydrogen dioxide is not diatomic hydrogen, which is simply two hydrogen atomic bounded together, H2. Hydrogen dioxide is another molecule, HO2, and isn’t even diatomic. (Diatomic means the molecule has two atoms, and hydrogen dioxide has three.)
Page 64, “Brilliance and Distance” has a diagram showing the distance and apparent magnitude of some stars close to our sun. Sirius is shown as a double star about 8 light years from the sun and is listed as having an apparent magnitude of 10.94. This is incorrect for the double star as a whole (m=-1.46), for Sirius A (m=-1.47) and Sirius B (m=8.44).
On the same diagram, Procyon is listed as having an apparent magnitude of 11.40, but this is a mistake for its distance from the sun, 11.4 light years.
Pages 64-65, “What is a Light Year” states one light year is 9.46 billion kilometers or 5.88 billion miles. This is off by a factor of 1,000, as a light year is 9.46 TRILLION km or 5.88 TRILLION mi.
Page 120, “Our Galactic Arm” states the Gould Belt has “a high concentration of young O- and B-type stars, including our sun.” Our sun is a G-type star.
Page 130, “The Sun’s Atmosphere” states that the sun’s “atmosphere’s outermost layer is the photosphere.” The photosphere is the INNERMOST layer of the atmosphere, as illustrated correctly on that page.
Page 138, “Maturation of the Sun” states the sun “will stay stable for several million more years.” This too is off by a factor of 1,000, as the sun will stay stable for a few more BILLION years.
Page 154, “Solar Probes” states that the Parker Solar Probe will get closer to the sun than any previous spacecraft, at “64,373,776 kilometers [four million mi]”. The miles are off by a factor of 10; 40 million miles is correct.
Pages 170-171, “The Size of the Solar System” has a table of information about the planets of our solar system. For diameter, the table uses a comma as a thousands separator for six planets but inconsistently uses a period or decimal point for Mercury and Venus. Thus, Venus is listed as “12.104 km [7.521 mi]” while Earth is listed as “12,756 km [7,926 mi]. Earth of course is not a thousand times the diameter of Venus; both planets are about the same size.
Page 216, “Mars and Earth” compares aspects of the two planets, stating the “Red Planet’s lack of liquid water and its thicker atmosphere…” Mars actually has a much THINNER atmosphere than does Earth.
Page 218-219, “Map of Mars” shows a geographical feature called Alba Patera.
This is the feature’s old name; it is now called Alba Mons. Pages 222-223, “Volcanoes in the Solar System” uses the correct name, Alba Mons. Of course, anyone going back to the map to find Alba Mons has to guess that Alba Patera and Alba Mons are the same.
By this time I was deeply dissatisfied with the accuracy of the text. I finally gave up soon after in the section on Gas Giants, in particular Jupiter. In some places its atmosphere is described as “mostly of hydrogen” and “whole atmosphere is basically made of hydrogen,” but elsewhere text states gas giants’ atmospheres are “mostly of hydrogen and helium.” The chart on Jupiter’s atmosphere lists hydrogen gas, water, ammonium hydrosulfide, and ammonia as components. Better editing would have made this much less confusing. Jupiter’s atmosphere is mostly hydrogen (about 90%) with some helium (nearly 10%), plus some trace compounds (including ammonia, sulfur, methane, and water vapor).
August 30, 2020
The graphics are awesome. Additionally, a coffee-table book does not have the level of information detail that you find in this book. However, I spotted some incomplete or slightly inaccurate scientific information, as I see another reviewer did also. The pictures/graphics seem to have taken very strong precedence in the book design. Text is overlaid on images that can make the text difficult to read. I even saw multiple graphics where I've picked up better posters on those topics for free elsewhere.
The book nicely covers MANY topics with just enough tantalizing extra details and graphs to make you want to know more from a good textbook. Just don't use this as your textbook. Use this book as the spring-board to young minds that will be amazed at the pictures, and even if some facts should be edited, there is enough to open many doors of thought that don't get discussed in simple short high school chapters of an earth-space-science book.
I'll give 3* for scientific readability, and 4.5 on the graphics. (Graphics seem like 5*, but their OVERLY strong influence on book readability detracts for me) Maybe this got rushed to press. This kind of material can get outdated so quickly. Some more review/editing should have been done.
The book nicely covers MANY topics with just enough tantalizing extra details and graphs to make you want to know more from a good textbook. Just don't use this as your textbook. Use this book as the spring-board to young minds that will be amazed at the pictures, and even if some facts should be edited, there is enough to open many doors of thought that don't get discussed in simple short high school chapters of an earth-space-science book.
I'll give 3* for scientific readability, and 4.5 on the graphics. (Graphics seem like 5*, but their OVERLY strong influence on book readability detracts for me) Maybe this got rushed to press. This kind of material can get outdated so quickly. Some more review/editing should have been done.
November 1, 2019
'Visual Galaxy' is a beautiful and informative collection of all astronomical subjects - from planets and moons to galaxies and black holes. There's a ton of fascinating facts on each page along with absolutely gorgeous pictures. You learn things without really concentrating on it. I loved the pictures so much and they really intrigued me, so I wanted to know more about them. And there just happens to be information, statistics, and so many other nuggets of knowledge right there. The entire book was this way and I actually sat down and read the entire thing in one sitting. I was so wrapped up in the facts and pictures that I lost track of time and then I had finished it. I can't recommend this wonderful book highly enough to readers of all ages. There's something in here for everyone. Definitely a must-have for fans of astronomy, space, and anything space-related.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2019
The images in this book are AMAZING. I've had this on my table and everyone picks it up to look at, page through, etc because it's so well done you can't help but get sucked in. It begins with the start of the Milky Way and ends with the future of it and everything in between. If there ever was something you wanted to know about space, you're going to find it in here. This would be an amazing book to have in a school library or classroom, I absolutely loved this.
My full review will be live on 11/6/19 on my blog: Stranded in Chaos
My full review will be live on 11/6/19 on my blog: Stranded in Chaos
January 17, 2020
I really enjoyed the photos and illustrations in this book and was in awe from beginning to end. Great introduction to our place in the galaxy. I liked the organization but didn't feel that there was a strong through line in the book. The last book like this I read was Our Universe back in the 80s and it pulled in the narrative of people looking up to the stars and the mythology built around the stars and planets. This book is more factual about the present state of knowledge and less on the journey that got us their or why things are named the way that they are.
July 18, 2020
A beautiful book - really extensive information about all aspects of our solar system. Exactly what you'd expect from National Geographic. If needing to learn more details about the Milky Way and what comprises it, such as for a school project, excellent resource. If just interested in the subject matter, like me, it's well worth the time.
November 23, 2025
The photographs are stunning, and the captions are clear and informative even for readers with no prior knowledge of the subject. This book felt like a truly satisfying journey through the stars, distant planets, and all their fascinating quirks. It may be the closest thing we currently have to a real interstellar voyage — if such a thing will ever be possible, given the challenges.
December 20, 2019
Christmas donation request for our library
July 15, 2020
Exquisite! You might want to air it out, probably the ink.
May 26, 2021
An excellently illustrated guide to space and the stars that's rather let down by the duller, repetitive text.
February 10, 2023
Gorgeous photography and artist's renderings. Lots of interesting information.
February 21, 2020
The pictures were amazing!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews