From the moon’s formation to its potential for future exploration, this richly illustrated volume presents 100 milestones in lunar history.
This colorfully illustrated history chronicles the development, observation, and exploration of the moon. Astrobiologist and science writer David Warmflash takes us on a thought-provoking journey from the hypotheses of the Moon’s formation to predictions for building a lunar infrastructure. The story is told in 100 vivid and varied milestones and moments, including:Tidal forces slow Earth’s spin and push the Moon farther awayThe Greeks grasp why the Moon widens from a crescent to a full moon and shrinks to darknessEdmund Halley creates the science of geophysics and sets the stage for studying space radiationThe Moon proves Albert Einstein’s general relativity theoryThe successful Apollo 11 lunar landing paves the way for future science missionsA new generation of moon probes are launched
Praise for Moon
“With this book, and its rich illustrations, astrobiologist David Warmflash weaves a tale of lunar geology and humanity’s relationship to the dusty orb.” —Space.com
“This fine book should be considered required reading for armchair lunar explorers, young and old.” —Scott Parazynski, MD, NASA Space Shuttle astronaut (STS-66, 86, 95, 100, 120) and author of The Sky Below
“This beautifully artistic book is filled with colorful images, delicate drawings, and fact-filled prose about the lunar body that influences our planet. Naturally, I enjoy the chapter “Beginnings of Lunar Field Science” revealing the Apollo 12 crew of Conrad, Gordon, and Bean’s contribution to the study of the Moon. But for me the book’s joy lies in learning about the moon myths of the Earth’s early civilizations. Moon: An Illustrated History is a valuable addition to my bookshelf, a terrestrial tool that I recommend to explorers, historians, and lovers of the Moon.” —Amy Sue Bean, daughter of moonwalker, astronaut, and artist Alan Bean, lunar module pilot on Apollo 12, commander on Skylab 3