We have searched the cosmos for the best astronomy and space books that exist.
“Look at the skies!” was a cautious warning announced at the end of the 1951 sci-fi classic The Thing From Another World, and that’s probably great advice no matter the reason. Not because we’re paranoid about squadrons of flying saucers or flocks of angry pigeons attacking from above, but to be aware of the beautiful tapestry of stars and planets overhead.
You are reading: Best books on the universe
To pay homage to the wonders of the cosmos, we’ve chosen a collection of the best books on space and astronomy for 2022 that will serve as a springboard for star gazers and living room astronomy lovers, whether buy for yourself or a colleague. space freak
Whether you’re an amateur astronomer taking stunning images of the night sky, a casual constellation watcher, or a hard-core scientist working in the field of astrophysics, these titles should broaden your mind to better understand our mysterious universe. .
Below are some of the best space and astronomy books you can buy today. this is not a ranking, as each of these books has something unique to offer. there’s a mix of modern releases and iconic classics, so you’re bound to find something you haven’t read before. And if you’re more interested in doing some astronomy than reading about it, check out our guide to the best telescopes to start your stargazing career.
1. “a brief history of time”
- author: stephen hawking
- publisher: bantam (1988)
stephen hawking explains the universe. In this best-selling book, the renowned physicist discusses black holes, space and time, the theory of general relativity, and much more, and makes it accessible to those of us who aren’t rocket scientists. the book is a great introduction for anyone who wants to learn more about the origins of the universe and where everything is headed.
Hawking’s death at age 76 was announced on March 14, 2018. You can read more about his incredible life and work on our Stephen Hawking biography page.
However, if this sounds a bit heavy-handed, “A Brief History of Time (Opens in a new tab),” first published in 2005 in collaboration with Leonard Mlodinow, offers a more accessible update on the science from the first book.
2. “the human cosmos: a secret history of the stars”
- author: jo marchant
- publisher: canongate books (2020)
Get ready for a cosmic glimpse of our place in world history with this illuminating volume where celestial cycles permeate our earthly lives. Marchant’s book delves into our centuries-old relationship with the stars that shaped our personalities, religious beliefs, power structures, scientific advances, and even our biology. in recent centuries it seems that we have distanced ourselves from the universe that surrounds us and that is the theme that is focused on here.
marchant guides readers on a journey through the history of humanity’s relationship with the heavens and the costs of our separation from their influence. From the bull room at Lascaux to witnessing the winter solstice in an ancient tomb at Newgrange, to a visit with medieval monks wrestling with the nature of time and native Tahitian sailors sailing by the stars, it’s a new examination of the potential of the universe we inhabit, its wonder and its effect on our health.
- Buy “The Human Cosmos: A Secret History of the Stars” Now on Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
3. “constellations: the story of space told through the 88 known star patterns in the night sky”
- author: govert schilling
- cartographer: wil tirion
- publisher: black dog & leventhal (2019
This lavishly embellished guide to the 88 constellations of the night sky, complete with an illustrated star map for each by esteemed star cartographer Wil Tirion, gives each constellation’s exact location, details of its structure, and facts about its neighbors. surrounding astronomy.
Govert Schilling, the award-winning astronomy writer, takes us on this splendid visual tour, offering a comprehensive history of astronomy through the lens of the constellations themselves. Organized alphabetically by constellation, your stargazing companion outlines each bright formation and includes basic information including the size, visibility, and number of stars, as well as discovery information and the official names of the constellations and associated legends. surround them.
- Shop “Constellations: The Story of Space Told Through the 88 Known Star Patterns in the Night Sky” Now on Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
4. “cosmos”
- author: carl sagan
- publisher: random house (1980)
“Cosmos,” by famed astronomer and science communicator Carl Sagan, is a deep dive into the history of science, philosophy, and the universe. The book acts as a partner to Sagan’s beloved 1980s television show, “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage (Opens in New Tab)”.
This book is a beautiful look inside one of the greatest scientific minds in history. while some of it may seem dated, the book still stands as one of the best popular science books ever written, and the language is just beautiful. ~miriam kramer
- shop carl sagan’s “cosmos” on amazon. (opens in a new tab)
5. “missions to mars”
- author: larry s. crumpler
- publisher: harper design (2021)
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With all the attention that has been paid to the red planet recently, it’s good to see a new book detailing all the excursions humanity has made to our reddish neighbor. Check out this inside account of NASA’s most important missions to Mars, injected with full-color photography and satellite imagery chronicling our journey of discovery and search for evidence of organic life on the planet.
author dr. Larry Crumpler is one of the long-term planning leaders for the Mars Exploration Rover Project, where he assisted in daily communications between NASA and rovers crawling around the planet to collect scientific data. In this informative planetary biography, Dr. Crumpler tells the story of the Red Planet, from ancient times to the groundbreaking discoveries revealed by modern technology, including some of the first images from the Perseverance rover.
- shop “missions to mars” now on amazon (Opens in a new tab)
6. “stars and planets: the most complete guide to the stars, planets, galaxies and the solar system” – updated and expanded edition
- Authors: Ian Ridpath and Wil Tiron
- Publisher: Princeton University Press (2017)
This is a must-have book for those of us who venture out in the wee hours of the morning to catch a glimpse of a rising planet or a blazing star. In this updated and expanded edition of their classic compendium, Ridpath and Tirion offer novice astronomers and professional astronomers the most informative, comprehensive, and authoritative Celestial Field Guide available.
is the work of a 30-year collaboration between one of the world’s leading astronomy experts and the planet’s leading creator of sky maps, and features charts, diagrams, and photographs of the sky in vivid color with clear writing, a attractive design and easy to use. to carry, compact size. includes the latest information on stars, a revised chapter on recent exoplanet research, revised charts and new photographs covering all 88 constellations in the northern and southern hemispheres, and detailed lunar maps. It even has top tips for choosing and using binoculars and spotting scopes.
- Shop “Stars and Planets: The Ultimate Guide to the Stars, Planets, Galaxies, and the Solar System” Now on Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
7. sun moon earth
- author: tyler nordgren
- publisher: basic books (2016)
Throughout history, solar eclipses have gone from terrifying omens to being the subject of scientific study. In “Sun Moon Earth: The Story of Solar Eclipses from Doomsday to Einstein and Exoplanets,” astronomer and artist Tyler Nordgren traces the natural history of eclipses and how they have inspired eclipse chasers to travel the world and witness the natural phenomenon.
Nordgren’s narrative also details how observations of total solar eclipses have contributed to scientific discoveries about the place of the sun, moon, and earth in the universe throughout history. ~samantha mathewson
Read an interview with the author of the book here.
8. “the mysteries of the universe”
- author: will gater
- publisher: dk children (2020)
This attractive, beautifully illustrated volume is aimed at the youngest minds interested in astronomy. kids can find strange planets, distant stars, and elaborate galaxies. From asteroids to black holes, each page of this entertaining book reveals the secrets behind more than 100 celestial objects.
Your little astronauts can embark on a journey to the ends of the universe thanks to storybook-style descriptions and simple text that provide interesting facts, myths, and key discoveries in a fun way. its 224 pages are organized to present celestial objects from the closest to earth to the farthest away, all combined with colorful and out of this world images, ideal for an educational astronomy-style bedtime.
- shop “mysteries of the universe” now on amazon (opens in a new tab)
9. “the science of interstellar”
- author: kip thorne
- publisher: w. w. norton & company (2014)
Interstellar, the sci-fi epic from director Christopher Nolan, was one of the most ambitious movies of that decade, and now Kip Thorne dives into the real science behind the Hollywood blockbuster. Thorne is the Nobel Prize-winning physicist who collaborated with Nolan on the scientific aspects of Interstellar, which explains why it’s one of the 5 most realistic space movies out there. This book explains how the film’s revealing events and stunning images are actually based on real-life science.
thorne’s ideas are derived from the process of writing and filming the script and describe the physical laws that govern our universe and the amazing phenomena related to it. You will be captivated as the author shares his own experiences working as Nolan’s science advisor and exploring grounded science itself. chapters focus on areas of interest such as wormholes, black holes, interstellar travel, and more.
- shop “the science of interstellar” now on amazon (opens in a new tab)
10. “The Astrophotography Handbook: A Practical and Scientific Approach to Deep Sky Imaging”
- author: chris woodhouse
- publisher: routledge (2017)
Descend down the celestial rabbit hole with this revised second edition “handbook of astrophotography,” perfect for photographers ready to leap beyond standard SLR cameras and editing software to create indelible images of nebulae, galaxies, clusters and stars.
woodhouse begins with a brief introduction to astronomy, then takes readers through the entire astrophotography process, from equipment selection to capture, calibration, and processing. Covering both technical and practical approaches, this edition also houses over 170 pages of new content within 22 new chapters, with 600 full-color illustrations covering a wide range of hardware, including mobile devices, remote control, and new technologies. Helpful information on leading software including automation, professional sequencer, and pixinsight is also provided.
- Buy “The Handbook of Astrophotography: A Practical and Scientific Approach to Deep Sky Imaging” Now on Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
11. “the world haunted by demons: science as a candle in the dark”
- author: carl sagan and ann druyan
- publisher: ballantine books/random house (1995)
sagan was one of the greatest ambassadors and popularizers of science of the 20th century, and he does not disappoint in “the world haunted by demons”. The book explains to laymen what science is and how researchers use the process of scientific inquiry to understand the universe around us. There are plenty of debunks in “the demon-haunted world” (of alien encounters, channeling, and other paranormal experiences) and Sagan even provides readers with a “nonsense detection kit” to help them navigate a confusing and chaotic world.
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Like other sagan works, this is a fun and engaging read, but a great deal of ambition lurks beneath the flowing prose, as this quote from the book reveals: “if we can’t think for ourselves, if if you are not willing to question authority, then we are just putty in the hands of those in power.
but if citizens are educated and form their own opinions, then those in power work for us. in all countries, we should be teaching our children the scientific method and the reasons for a bill of rights. With it comes a certain decency, humility and community spirit. In the demon-haunted world we inhabit by virtue of being human, this may be all that stands between us and the darkness that engulfs us.” ~mike wall
- buy “the world haunted by demons” by carl sagan & Amazon’s Ann Druyan (Opens in a new tab)
12. “hubble legacy: 30 years of discoveries and images”
- author: james bell
- publisher: sterling (2020)
The Hubble Space Telescope has been in operation since 1990, when it was first launched into orbit and deployed by the Space Shuttle Discovery. Named for renowned astronomer Edwin Hubble, Hubble has revolutionized astronomy with more than a million sharp images of distant stars, galaxies, nebulae, cosmic clouds, solar flares, and other creations of the cosmos.
to help celebrate the 30th anniversary, dr. Bell’s account of the setbacks and triumphs of the famous space telescope is described in absorbing detail along with a fantastic collection of amazing photographs curated from the last three decades of photos. dr Bell is a professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University, and in this intriguing book he explains how Hubble has altered and enhanced our understanding of the universe.
- Buy “The Hubble Legacy: 30 Years of Discoveries and Imaging” Now on Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
13. “black hole survival guide”
- author: janna levin
- publisher: knopf (2020)
Have you ever considered what it would be like to cross the event horizon and enter the spinning maw of a supermassive black hole where time and space are distorted? Well, astrophysicist Janna Levin speculates on this notion in grand style about exactly what it would feel like in this handy primer.
Aimed at inquisitive enthusiasts, Levin’s book helps us understand and embrace the myriad mysteries that is a black hole, an entity considered to be one of the most destructive and impressive forces in the universe. Filled with original artwork by American painter and photographer Lia Halloran, “Black Hole Survival Guide” sparks our imaginations and invites us on a semi-terrifying exploration of black holes. In these pages, she will learn through animated prose about the various influences of black holes as they dot the universe, sculpt nascent galaxies, and affect the changing nature of the reality in which we exist.
- Buy “Black Hole Survival Guide” Now on Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
14. “what we see in the stars: an illustrated tour of the night sky”
- author: kelsey oseid
- publisher: ten speed press (2017)
here is a dreamy illustrated guide to the myths, legends, stories and scientific evidence of the stellar celestial bodies in our solar system and beyond, all combined with rich stories and information on constellations, planets, comets, northern lights and much more.
Author Kelsey Oseid blends a provocative cocktail of art, mythology, and hard science to take readers on a wondrous tour of the night sky through more than 100 enchanting original hand-painted works of art. Covering the most compelling features of our galaxy and solar system, “What We See in the Stars” also touches on the constellations, the Moon, major stars, nebulae, the fringes of deep space, and the visible planets. perfect for parents hoping to relive magical childhood moments gazing at the stars and young readers interested in natural history and outer space.
- Buy “What We See in the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky” now on Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
15. “black holes and time warps: einstein’s scandalous legacy”
- author: kip thorne
- publisher: w. w. norton (1994)
Theoretical astrophysicist Kip Thorne has spent his career exploring topics that once seemed relegated to science fiction, such as whether time travel is possible and how humans might travel from galaxy to galaxy through wormholes. In “Black Holes and Time Warps,” Thorne provides an introduction to these and other mind-boggling topics, at a level appropriate for non-scientists.
The book is not light reading, going deeper into the science than many popular physics books, but Thorne is the perfect person to take readers on this journey: he is a patient and entertaining teacher, and he never loses the thread. of history In addition to science lessons, Thorne introduces a cast of characters who pioneered these fields and chronicles the struggle of American and Russian physicists to continue scientific collaboration during the Cold War.
Twenty years after its publication, Thorne spoke to Space.com about the new science he would add to the book in an interview with Calla Cofield.
16. “Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Tunnels, and the Tenth Dimension”
- author: michio kaku
- publisher: oxford university press (1994)
Our brains evolved to understand the world around us on a local and accessible scale. we’re not really equipped to understand the universe as a 10-dimensional entity, and yet “hyperspace” explains this revolutionary idea in such a lucid and engaging way that it makes a lot of sense.
By the time you’ve finished reading this book, you’ll have a pretty solid understanding of why Kaku and other scientists think that the basic forces of our universe (electromagnetism, gravity, and the strong and weak nuclear forces) may actually be vibrations in higher dimensional space. and it’s also an extremely fun read, with excursions into such sexy topics as parallel universes, time travel, and wormholes.
For example, did you know you could create a wormhole in your own kitchen using just an ice cube and a pressure cooker? all you have to do is find a way to heat the ice cube to a temperature of 1032 kelvins.
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