Universe: Exploring the Astronomical World

by Phaidon Phaidon Editors, David Malin (Contribution by), Paul Murdin (Contribution by)

Overview

A gorgeous exploration of the ways in which humans have documented the beauty of the cosmos – in a new compact edition

Universe is a groundbreaking survey that celebrates the popular subject of astronomy through 300 images created by those who have tried to understand – or who have been inspired by – the beauty and mystery of stars, planets, and beyond. Carefully chosen by an international panel of experts and arranged to highlight thought-provoking contrasts and similarities, the selection includes paintings, photographs, sculpture, animation, prints, sketches, and digital renderings with iconic works by renowned photographers, artists, and astronomers alongside previously unpublished finds.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781838660154
Publisher:	Phaidon Press
Publication date:	09/25/2019
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	224,379
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 9.70(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Paul Murdin has worked as an astronomer in the USA, Australia, England, Scotland, and Spain. Previously a research scientist and a science administrator for the UK Government and the Royal Astronomical Society, he now works at the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge, England, and is visiting professor at John Moores University, Liverpool.

Editorial Reviews

"The quality of the reproductions is superb... The text is reassuringly authoritative, while allowing room for admissions where our collective understanding is still in flux... In some ways, then, the arrangement of the pictures mimics the experience of walking through an intelligent and well-curated museum exhibition, where the "visitor" is provided with sufficient information to encourage active engagement with the subject at hand, but is left free to browse and discover, to muse and opine, to reflect and challenge. As such, it panders – in the best of ways – to our curiosity and sense of wonder."—Kristen Lippincott, The Saxl Project

"Navigate the wonders of the night sky via Phaidon's book Universe: Exploring the Astronomical World. It's an entertaining and thought-provoking journey through our fascination with space, from cave paintings to modern astrophotography."—The Awesomer

From the Publisher

01/01/2018
This collection brings together 300 representative images that display human interest in contemplating the universe, conceptualizing its vastness and meaning, and creating art and scientific works to understand it; from cave drawings to Van Gogh prints to some of NASA's recent photographs. Throughout the book, which is compiled by Phaidon editors (Map: Exploring the World) and with an introduction by the Institute of Astronomy's Paul Murdin, images of similar subjects are paired together. For example, one page shows a watercolor of the moon that was created by Galileo in 1609, while the opposite page portrays stereograph images of the moon from 1858. Some sets of images are complementary to one another, while others show the disparity between fact and fiction (a photograph of Mars from 1930 alongside a cover of DC Comics' Mystery in Space from 1951). Each image has a brief description to provide context and valuable information. VERDICT A compendium of wonderful images related to the universe; recommended to all libraries.—Jason L. Steagall, Gateway Technical Coll. Lib., Elkhorn, WI

Library Journal