Astronomical

Space is the biggest, oldest, hottest, coldest, strangest thing a human can study. It's no surprise then, that the weirdest facts in science (not to mention the weirdest scientists themselves) are found in astrophysics and cosmology.

If you're looking for instructions on how to set up your grandad's telescope this book probably isn't for you. In ASTRONOMICAL, Tim James takes us on a tour of the known (and unknown) Universe, focusing on the most-mind boggling stuff we've come across, as well as unpacking the latest theories about what's really going on out there.

Guiding us through Einstein's relativity, quantum mechanics and string theory, ASTRONOMICAL delves into the baffling corners of the cosmos and tackles the biggest mysteries we face: from alien life to the zodiac; from white holes to wormholes; from quasars to quark stars. This is the science of space at its absolute strangest!

From the creation of the Universe out of nothing to the Large Hadron Collider and the Universe's ongoing expansion, Tim explores our planetary neighbours, where it snows metal on Venus, there are underground lakes on Mars and rivers of petrol on Titan.

He then looks beyond our solar system: to exoplanets which could support life, rogue planets, quark stars, quasars, neutron stars and more. Tim looks at black holes (and how to survive in one), wormholes, white holes as well as dark energy, dark matter and even a bit of string theory thrown in for good measure. He explains the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence, including the discovery of Martian fossils in the Alan Hills meteorite and the tantalising 'Wow signal' transmission earth received in 1973 - still unexplained.

He also rebuts resurgent anti-science movements, including the Flat Earth Society and discusses what's really going on inside Area 51.

To close, Tim finishes by looking at human achievements in space including how rockets work, how faster-than-light warp-drives (currently being investigated by NASA) work and how we plan to colonise both the moon and Mars.

“Praise for Elemental : A hugely entertaining tour of the periodic table and the 118 elements that are the basic building blocks of everything. - Daily MailPraise for Elemental :Perfect for students and newcomers to science writing . . . From the composition of the stars to the elements most useful to humans, James offers a cheerful selection of short, fascinating chapters suitable for reading in any order. A wide audience can enjoy this accessible peak into the history of chemistry and the periodic table. - Publishers WeeklyWith hand-drawn diagrams, wacky humour and assorted facts, Elemental is great fun, taking us to realms beyond anything Mendeleyev ever dreamed of. - Wall Street JournalWho said science was dry? Certainly not Tim James. - New York PostPraise for Elemental :Perfect for students and newcomers to science writing. - Publishers WeeklyPraise for Elemental :You'll be missing out if you don't read it. - How It Works magazineTim James' Fundamental is an outstanding introduction to the seemingly unapproachable world of Quantum Mechanics, filled with enough humour and wit to break the ice. - Always Trust in BooksPraise for Fundamental :This book should be read to kids in school instead of the Bible! - Breakfast Shirts”

Praise for Elemental:

A hugely entertaining tour of the periodic table and the 118 elements that are the basic building blocks of everything. - Daily Mail

Praise for Elemental:

Perfect for students and newcomers to science writing . . . From the composition of the stars to the elements most useful to humans, James offers a cheerful selection of short, fascinating chapters suitable for reading in any order. A wide audience can enjoy this accessible peak into the history of chemistry and the periodic table. - Publishers Weekly

With hand-drawn diagrams, wacky humour and assorted facts, Elemental is great fun, taking us to realms beyond anything Mendeleyev ever dreamed of. - Wall Street Journal

Who said science was dry? Certainly not Tim James. - New York Post

Praise for Elemental:

Perfect for students and newcomers to science writing. - Publishers Weekly

Praise for Elemental:

You'll be missing out if you don't read it. - How It Works magazine

Tim James' Fundamental is an outstanding introduction to the seemingly unapproachable world of Quantum Mechanics, filled with enough humour and wit to break the ice. - Always Trust in Books

Praise for Fundamental:

This book should be read to kids in school instead of the Bible! - Breakfast Shirts

Tim James is the child of Welsh/English and Jamaican parents. He was raised in Nigeria, educated in England and lives in America where he is frequently mistaken for an Australian. He taught chemistry and physics for eleven years and now works full-time as an author and screenwriter. Sometimes he has a beard.

Space is the biggest, oldest, hottest, coldest, strangest thing a human can study. It's no surprise then, that the weirdest facts in science (not to mention the weirdest scientists themselves) are found in astrophysics and cosmology. If you're looking for instructions on how to set up your grandad's telescope this book probably isn't for you. In ASTRONOMICAL , Tim James takes us on a tour of the known (and unknown) Universe, focusing on the most-mind boggling stuff we've come across, as well as unpacking the latest theories about what's really going on out there.Guiding us through Einstein's relativity, quantum mechanics and string theory, ASTRONOMICAL delves into the baffling corners of the cosmos and tackles the biggest mysteries we face: from alien life to the zodiac; from white holes to wormholes; from quasars to quark stars. This is the science of space at its absolute strangest! From the creation of the Universe out of nothing to the Large Hadron Collider and the Universe's ongoing expansion, Tim explores our planetary neighbours, where it snows metal on Venus, there are underground lakes on Mars and rivers of petrol on Titan. He then looks beyond our solar system: to exoplanets which could support life, rogue planets, quark stars, quasars, neutron stars and more. Tim looks at black holes (and how to survive in one), wormholes, white holes as well as dark energy, dark matter and even a bit of string theory thrown in for good measure. He explains the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence, including the discovery of Martian fossils in the Alan Hills meteorite and the tantalising 'Wow signal' transmission earth received in 1973 - still unexplained. He also rebuts resurgent anti-science movements, including the Flat Earth Society and discusses what's really going on inside Area 51.To close, Tim finishes by looking at human achievements in space including how rockets work, how faster-than-light warp-drives (currently being investigated by NASA) work and how we plan to colonise both the moon and Mars.

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