Cosmic Clouds 3-D: Where Stars Are Born

by David J. Eicher, Brian May (Creative Director), J.-P. Metsävainio (3 D Images)

Amazing 3-D images take readers inside the birth and death of stars.This visually amazing volume, with text and 3-D images, takes readers inside the birthplace of stars--the cosmic clouds called nebulae. Nebulae (from the Latin for "cloud" or "fog") are stellar nurseries, frequently intermingled with clusters of young stars. Seen in the night sky, they glow, energized by the new stars within and around them. Cosmic Clouds 3-D offers hundreds of magnificent images of nebulae captured by ground-based and space telescopes. Along with the high-resolution views of nebulae are unique stereo views that show the nebulae in three dimensions.

As we observe the birth of stars in these great clouds of gas, we are peering into the world of infant suns, seeing a process that for our own Sun took place some 4.6 billion years ago. The story of elements in nature, of why we are here, of our cosmic roots, is strongly tied to the story of stars in our galaxy and universe. And that means exploring the lives of stars, how stars come to be, what happens during their lifetimes, and how they, too--like humans--eventually die. We may not all know it, but we are part of the biggest recycling program that exists--the birth, life, and death of stars.

A 3-D viewer, designed by astrophysicist (and lead guitarist with the rock group Queen) Brian May, is included with the book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

192 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hubble telescope has brought humans amazing pictures of the universe. Now...take those stars, nebulae, galaxies and view them through a different kind of telescopic magic- in 3-D. It is jaw-droppingly amazing. I can't possibly go into the technical side of how it is done, but it is all in the book as is a comprehensive text for non-scientists that doesn't dumb the science down, but still manages to speak in English. Yeah, I got it because of Brian May, but seriously, even if he hadn't been involved, this book is something else. David Eicher does a brilliant job bring the universe, Nebulae specifically, into full focus. If you want to get your kid interested in the sky above, you couldn't do much better than to start here. You will find yourself just as interested. 3-D viewer included.

[Philip Tite · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book, a truly immersive experience, well with acquiring!

[Henrik Brynildsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flott bok om de ulike typene stjernetåker som finnes, med 3D-bilder av alle de stiligste objektene på nattehimmelen!

[Jarmo Savela · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one who's always been fascinated by space, this truly was an eye-opener. Granted, I went into this after hearing Queen's guitarist Brian May having been involved with a fellow Finn, J.P. Metsävainio, and that there would be pictures of nebulae, I was hook that minute. I wasn't dissappointed. Not only does Eicher write simple enough for even a layman like me to understand all things space (the text works for those who are not that well aware of how things work in the cosmos and to those who already are), but also Metsävainio's stereophotography is exquisite. I literally spent hours in space, simply wondering teary-eyed all that's around us, and never leaving my chair. If you have found pictures of nebulae beautiful so far, check them out in 3-D. It will change the way you see and think, guaranteed. This is coming from a person who has never enjoyed 3-D in any way, shape or form, particularly in films. Fortunately, I have now found a way to enjoy the process. A grand book, even if you're into it only due to the pictures.