The Space Book ─ From the Beginning to the End of Time: 250 Milestones in the History of Space & Astronomy

We live in a truly golden age of astronomy and space exploration that may allow us to unravel some of the biggest mysteries of all: How did the Universe begin? Are there other Earth-like planets out there? Are we alone? The Space Book is a gateway into these kinds of questions—and more—for anyone interested in the worlds beyond our planet.

Expanding the series that began with the highly successful volumes The Science Book and The Math Book, astronomer and planetary scientist Jim Bell presents 250 of the most groundbreaking astronomical events, from the formation of galaxies to the recent discovery of water ice on Mars. Beautiful photographs or illustrations accompany each entry. Open the book to any page to discover some new wonder or mystery about the Universe around us.

Dr. Jim Bell is professor at Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration in Tempe, AZ, and an adjunct professor in the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. As president of The Planetary Society, which includes such well-known figures as Buzz Aldrin, Bill Nye, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and Steven Spielberg, Jim is an active and prolific public commentator on science and space exploration, earning the 2011 Carl Sagan Medal from the American Astronomical Society. In addition to being a frequent contributor to such magazines as Sky & Telescope and Scientific American, he has appeared on radio, Internet blogs, television shows including the TODAY show, This American Morning, and the PBS Newshour, as well as programs on the Discovery, National Geographic, and History cable channels. Author of Postcards from Mars (Plume), Mars 3-D (Sterling) and Moon 3-D (Sterling). Jim is an active planetary scientist who has been involved in such NASA robotic exploration missions as Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR), Mars Pathfinder, Mars Exploration Rover, and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, to name a few. The 8146 Jimbell main-belt asteroid is named in his honor.