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The Milky Way

An Autobiography of Our Galaxy
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Milky Way by Moiya McTier offers a unique and engaging journey through our galaxy, personifying the Milky Way to explain its structure, history, and significance in a conversational and accessible manner. The book blends scientific insights with storytelling, making complex astronomical concepts relatable and entertaining to readers of all backgrounds.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$5300

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by astronomy and the wonders of our galaxy. With a blend of scientific insights and engaging storytelling, the author offers a captivating exploration of cosmic mysteries and the nature of the universe, making it a delightful read for science enthusiasts.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

In this approachable and fascinating biography of the galaxy, an astrophysicist and folklorist details everything humans have discovered-from the Milky Way's formation to its eventual death, and what else there is to learn about the universe we call home.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

After a few billion years of bearing witness to life on Earth, of watching one hundred billion humans go about their day-to-day lives, of feeling unbelievably lonely, and of hearing its own story told by others, The Milky Way would like a chance to speak for itself. All one hundred billion stars and fifty undecillion tons of gas of it.

It all began some thirteen billion years ago, when clouds of gas scattered through the universe's primordial plasma just could not keep their metaphorical hands off each other. They succumbed to their gravitational attraction, and the galaxy we know as the Milky Way was born. Since then, the galaxy has watched as dark energy pushed away its first friends, as humans mythologised its name and purpose, and as galactic archaeologists have worked to determine its true age (rude).

The Milky Way has absorbed supermassive (an actual technical term) black holes, made enemies of a few galactic neighbours, and mourned the deaths of countless stars. Our home galaxy has even fallen in love.

After all this time, the Milky Way finally feels that it's amassed enough experience for the juicy tell-all we've all been waiting for. Its fascinating autobiography recounts the history and future of the universe in accessible but scientific detail, presenting a summary of human astronomical knowledge thus far that is unquestionably out of this world.

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2022 BY PUBLISHERS WEEKLY AND SCIENCENET

NAMED A BEST AUDIOBOOK OF 2022 BY BOOKPAGE

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Milky Way by Moiya McTier is praised for its unique perspective, combining astrophysics with mythology in a humourous and engaging manner. Reviews highlight its educational value and entertaining narrative, as the galaxy narrates its own story, offering insights into its workings and history. The book's fresh take is both informative and accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable while infusing the text with charm and wit.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781538754160

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 August 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Grand Central Publishing

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by AnnaMarie Salai
  • Illustrated by AnnaMarie Salai

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 208.0mm

Weight: 240g

Pages: 272

About the Author

Dr. Moiya McTier is an astrophysicist, folklorist, and science communicator based in New York City. After graduating from Harvard as the first person in the school's history to study both astronomy and mythology, Moiya earned her PhD in astrophysics at Columbia University where she was selected as a National Science Foundation research fellow. Moiya has consulted with companies like Disney and PBS on their fictional worlds, helped design exhibits for the New York Hall of Science, and given hundreds of talks about science around the globe (including features on MSNBC, NPR, and NowThis News). To combine her unique set of expertise, Moiya hosts and produces the Exolore podcast that explores fictional world-building through the lens of science. When she's not researching space or imagining new worlds, Moiya can likely be found watching trashy reality tv with her cat, Kosmo.

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