many of us have heard of space celebrities like tim peake and brian cox writing on this subject, but while such books are included in this list, there is a wide range of excellent titles to read in your search . for an understanding of the universe. some of these will help amateur astronomers get acquainted with the night sky, while others will bring moving stories of collaboration and community within the space industry.
We think this is a great collection of books on space and astronomy, but if you think we’ve missed any, please let us know in the science focused book club facebook group. or check out our list of great coffee table photography books about space.
You are reading: Good books about space
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the best books on space, astronomy and the universe
night sky almanac 2022: a guide to stargazing
greenwich royal observatory, storm dunlop, wil tirion and collins astronomy
what better gift for an amateur astronomer than an answer to all their questions in a pocket companion?
Detailed with facts, tips and key dates to keep in mind throughout the year, plus monthly calendars to reveal the delights of the night sky wherever you are. For fans of the almanac series or subscribers to sky at night magazine, this is an essential piece of kit.
stories in the stars: an atlas of constellations
susanna hislop and hannah waldron
this book lists all 88 constellations by size, from andromeda (the chained maiden) to vulpecula (the little fox), each beautifully illustrated by artist hannah waldron, while accompanying text by susanna hislop goes beyond the usual creation myths to include facts about legendary astronomers and more.
stories in the stars is an imaginative and insightful collection of human encounters with the night sky.
ask an astronaut: my guide to life in space
tim peake
Who better to describe life in space than someone who has traveled the path (of space)? peake pen answers the public’s burning questions, revealing what space smells like, how you enjoyed a cosmic cuppa, and how it felt to return to earth.
Of course, his other books are also worth reading. quiz no limits if you’re a fan of autobiographies, or the astronaut selection test book for a series of riddles and tests to see if you have what it takes to go to space. try your hand at a quiz for the iss at sciencefocus.com.
- read our interview with tim peake after his return to earth
the end of everything (astrophysically speaking)
katie mack
The end of the universe may be a common feature in science fiction, but this is not a crisis that a team of superheroes can prevent. the universe will really come to an end one way or another, and we have an idea of how: five ideas, actually.
at the end of it all (astrophysically speaking), astrophysicist dr. Katie Mack dives into these five possible apocalypses, from the fading universe to the “quantum bubble of death.”
- listen to our podcast with katie mack
- see more new books on our list of this month’s best titles
a history of the universe in 21 stars (and 3 impostors)
giles sparrow
See Also: Bridgerton Books: What to Know Before Watching Netflix Show | Time
This accessible, illustrated guide to the cosmos is for the new and experienced stargazer alike.
writer giles sparrow tells the stories of well-known ‘celebrity’ stars like proxima centauri, betelgeuse and our own sun, but also those that hold the secrets of the sky; supernovae, quasars and dark matter. Through these 21 stars (and 3 impostors) he reveals the impact astronomy has had on scientific understanding of the past, present and future.
- giles sparrow explains the diagram that changed the universe
space travelers: how humans will settle on the moon, mars and beyond
christopher wanjek
if the end of the world is really imminent, maybe we should start looking for another one. The obvious choices are the moon or mars, but there are plenty of other places in the solar system we could try, each with their own problems and opportunities. we could try floating on venus in balloon cities or living in caves inside our own asteroid.
wanjek discusses the practicalities of moving away from the planet we evolved on. how can we deal with microgravity or the lack of air pressure? and if we could terraform another planet… why not stay on earth?
- Move over, Mars: Why we should look further afield for future human colonies
Is there anyone out there?
dara or briain
Are you looking for books about space for children? This illustrated and informative book is intended for ages 9 and up.
The hilarious dara Ó briain offers scientific answers to questions like: how did life begin? how the earth was created do aliens exist?
the art of urban astronomy: a guide to stargazing wherever you are
abigail beall
Stargazing doesn’t have to be complicated, Abigail Beall reveals in this beautifully compact guide. it’s not a hobby reserved for those who can afford a telescope, nor is it completely inaccessible to city visitors who spend most of their time under a light-polluted sky.
beall shares a few tricks and techniques, but ultimately advocates the sheer power, and wonder, of looking up.
- read abigail beall’s guide to stargazing without a telescope
The Last Astronomers: The Enduring Story of Disappearing Astronomical Explorers
emily levesque
astronomer emily levestracing the history of the profession, following her colleagues around the world and going back in time. but now, we sit on the precipice of a new way of observing the stars, through robots, instead of our own eyes, and that has consequences for all of science.
levesque’s writing is witty and honest, asking us all to reconsider our relationship with the universe.
- read more about astronomy
they’re here: ufo culture and why we see saucers
sarah scoles
Why do so many people believe that aliens have visited Earth? where does our description of ‘flying saucers’ come from? And what does UFO culture reveal about our psychology?
See Also: 9 Dystopian Books Like Brave New World – Books Like This One
Science writer sarah scoles delves into the deep, sometimes dark world of UFO conspiracies and stories for this riveting book, which mixes serious anecdotes from the community (told skeptically but sensitively) with real scientific research from a variety of disciplines.
- Read an excerpt from Sarah Coles’ book: FBI Conspiracies and Secrets: Why We Love UFOs
black hole survival guide
janna levin
What would happen if you fell into a black hole? Janna Levin, professor of physics and astronomy, reveals what her research has told us about these mysterious objects, and what we do and don’t know about falling into one.
For fans of Jim Al-Khalili’s The World According to Physics, this book is an accessible and engaging introduction to one of the most extraordinary phenomena in the universe.
- Take a trip into a black hole in this excerpt from Janna Levin’s book
I am a book. I am a portal to the universe.
stefanie posavec and miriam rapid
This book has 112 pages. It is a square 20cm high and wide. weighs 450g. knows the secrets of the universe. Open it, dive into the data, and get ready to want to share everything you learn with everyone around you.
the zoologist’s guide to the galaxy: what animals on earth reveal about aliens and ourselves
dr. arik kershenbaum
Scientists are increasingly confident that there is life elsewhere in the universe. but what would that life be like?
Taking into the growing body of information about other planets, applying the laws of biology, the principles of chemistry, and his knowledge of Earth’s history, Kershenbaum confidently presents the possibilities of alien creatures.
- read the introduction of dr. arik kershenbaum to extraterrestrial life
Not Necessarily Rocket Science: A Beginner’s Guide to Life in the Space Age
kellie gerardi
- shop now on amazon, bookshop.org and waterstones
Straight from the pen of a scientist working with commercial spaceflight comes a memoir on how to get off the ground. Kellie Gerardi worked with NASA, testing technology that would be sent to the International Space Station, and helping develop programs for future space exploration.
but it hasn’t always been glamorous, says gerardi. “Breaking my way as a young woman in a predominantly male industry often meant that I was the only woman in the meeting, at dinner, on stage or, in one case, in the entire company,” she says on the company’s website. she. That’s why this book aims to make the space industry accessible to everyone, and it lands perfectly.
the human cosmos: a secret history of the stars
Jo Marchant
Human beings have always been fascinated by the stars. But why are we so attracted to these celestial objects? Jo Marchant reveals this historical relationship through beautifully told stories, of gods and spirits, mathematicians and physicists.
Praised by great authors, including award-winning science journalist Gaia Vince, The Human Cosmos is not only a joy to read, but one you’ll want to share with everyone you know who’s interested in astronomy.
- read an excerpt from the human cosmos: life on mars: the story of the alh84001 meteorite
the best books of all time
We think this is an excellent selection of books on space and astronomy, but if you don’t like anything here, take a look at some of our book recommendations:
- this month’s best science books
- the best math books
- the best collections of quizzes and puzzle books
- the best books on wildlife and nature writing
- 5 best physics books, according to jim al-khalili
- ai: 5 of the best artificial intelligence books you should read
- 5 Must Read Science Books About Careers
- Science Books For Kids: 5 Books For Budding Scientists
Looking for stargazing tips? Check out our complete guide to astronomy for beginners in the UK.