Table of Contents

Prologue: Why Study the Universe?
Part I: What Our Forebears Knew
Chapter 1. Stonehenge: Monument of Megalithic Observatory?
Chapter 2. How Did the Stars Get Their Names?
Chapter 3. What Was the Christmas Star?
Chapter 4. How do We Know When Comet Halley Was Seen?
Part II: Looking Around Our Solar System
Chapter 5. Our Moon: Nearest Neighbor – and Hot Property?
Chapter 6. Is There Life on Mars?
Chapter 7. Pluto: Impostor or King of the Outer Darkness?
Chapter 8. How Astronomers Learn Without Going Anywhere
Part III: Trumph or Disaster?
Chapter 9. Clear and Present Danger: Will We Be the Next Dinosaurs?
Chapter 10. Goldilocks and the Three Planets
Chapter 11. Going to the Planets?
Chapter 12. Are we Stardust?
Afterword: Manned Spaceflight at the Crossroads
Notes
Index

About the Author

Mark Kidger is an astronomer at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias who works at the observatories in La Palma and Tenerife.

Reviews

In 12 delightful chapters, astronomer Kidger takes us on a tour of the solar system, addressing an array of fascinating questions... a joy to read. Publishers Weekly He answers questions that provoke some of the most passionate and heated arguments between astronomers. Astronomical Enigmas illustrates how much we know about our solar system, and how much there still is to discover. Lunar Planetary Information Bulletin Quite engaging... serves up an elucidating overview of the big questions in astronomy, providing the reader with a commanding level of knowledge. -- George Whitesides Air & Space Smithsonian A refreshing and successful departure from the traditional approach to an introductory astronomy book... An excellent book that spans a wide range of topics. Choice In this highly interesting volume, an astronomer asks general-interest questions and provides solid scientific answers... packed with information. -- Donald Logsdon, Jr. NSTA Recommends Mr. Kidger's lively writing and clear exposition make the book both enjoyable and informative. -- Jeffrey Marsh Washington Times Highly recommended as an informative read and a good reference to many of the controversial areas of astronomy. -- Nick Lomb Australian Physics Easy to read but not easy to put down! -- Peter D. Mata Spaceflight A beautifully written book packed with narrative answers to major astronomical topics of current interest. -- Katherine Haramundanis Science Books and Films Fascinating read. -- Alvin K. Benson Magill Book Reviews Mark Kidger, having looked into interesting nooks and crannies of astronomy, has brought a dozen topics he found there to the general public... I will look forward to his sequel. Key Reporter The book is well produced and is written with enthusiasm in a clear and informal style. -- Colin Cooke Observatory Magazine