Smithsonian atlas of space

The universe's shape is unknown and its size unimaginable, but that's never felt closer or more comprehensible than with this stunning full-color atlas. Space historian Roger D. Launius begins the journey at the farthest reaches of the universe before narrowing in on the solar system, revealing the marvels humanity has discovered beyond our planet. Detailed historical and scientific maps, new NASA images, and beautiful artwork capture the splendor of star luminosity, supernova explosions, Apollo mission flight paths, the Asteroid Belt, the expanding universe, and so much more. Spanning ancient conceptions of the universe to interstellar travel, Smithsonian Atlas of Space is sweeping in scope. The outstanding imagery and approachable text make this a reference book worth returning to again and again for space enthusiasts of all ages. It explores a range of cosmological topics, including the mystery of dark matter and dark energy, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, black hole collision, and potential Mars colonies. The book investigates the origin and evolution of celestial phenomena, but it also speculates on the potential the future holds for humankind becoming a multiplanetary species. With intricate diagrams and maps, Smithsonian Atlas of Space charts the Milky Way to galaxies billions of light years away and everything in between.