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A History of the Universe in 100 Stars

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( 520 ratings, 69 reviews)
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
In A History of the Universe in 100 Stars, Florian Freistetter explores the cosmos through the stories of 100 remarkable stars. The book combines astronomy and history, providing fascinating insights into each star's significance, from ancient times to modern scientific discoveries. This journey across the universe helps readers understand not only the stars themselves but also humanity’s relationship with the cosmos.
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy exploring the vast wonders of the cosmos through the lens of individual stars. Each star tells a fascinating story, shedding light on the history and mysteries of the universe. Whether you're a stargazing enthusiast or keen on learning how these celestial bodies have influenced scientific discovery and culture, this read will spark your curiosity and imagination.

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Stars have always fascinated people. Astronomer Florian Freistetter tells the stories of the stars - past, present and future.

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

From the Big Bang to the Gaia Mission, this is a very personal history of the universe through the author's favourite 100 stars.

Astronomer Florian Freistetter has chosen 100 stars that have almost nothing in common. Some are bright and famous, some shine so feebly you need a huge telescope. There are big stars, small stars, nearby stars and faraway stars. Some died a while ago, others have not even yet come into being. Collectively, they tell the story of the whole world, according to Freistetter.

There is Algol, for example, the Demon Star, whose strange behaviour has long caused people sleepless nights. And Gamma Draconis, from which we know that the earth rotates around its own axis. There is also the star sequence 61 Cygni, which revealed the size of the cosmos to us.

Then there are certain stars used by astronomers to search for extra-terrestrial life, to explore interstellar space travel, or to explain why the dinosaurs became extinct.

In 100 short, fascinating and entertaining chapters, Freistetter not only reveals the past and future of the cosmos, but also the story of the people who have tried to understand the world in which we live.

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?

A History of the Universe in 100 Stars by Florian Freistetter is praised for its inventive approach to astronomy, presenting a cosmic story through portraits of one hundred stars. Critics appreciate its engaging style and accessibility, making it a delightful read for both beginners and seasoned astronomy enthusiasts. The use of individual stars to explore broader astronomical concepts is noted as particularly ingenious.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529410150

Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 March 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Quercus Publishing

Contributors:

  • Translated by Gesche Ipsen

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 240g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Florian Freistetter is an Austrian astronomer, blogger, author and podcaster. He did his doctorate at the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Vienna and then worked as an astronomer at the observatory of the University of Jena and the Astronomical Computing Institute in Heidelberg. He currently lives in Jena, blogs about science, writes books and is part of the science cabaret Science Busters.

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