National Geographic Encyclopedia of Space

Large coffee-table size. A good survey and history of modern astronomy and space science leading to our present understanding of our solar system and the greater universe Includes information on and from the space program and the value of remote sensing.Good r. As befits a National Geographic book there are lots of pictures and tables. This would be an excellent family reference book.

I agree, in part, with what each of the previous reviews. The first half of the book holds information on astronomy and the planets. The information in this half of the book is up to date and holds some interesting facts. It not only holds the entries on the history of astronomy, but entries for dark matter, the accelerating universe and more. The solar system section holds the latest information about the planets. However, it was published before the Cassini mission's close flyby of Saturn and the Huygens probe's visit to Titan. The last half of the book is about the space program, satellites, etc. There were a few obvious errors in that section, but most of the information was pretty interesting and useful. The imagery is great!

This magnificently written and illustrated book is like taking a flight through space without leaving the comfort of your reading chair! Our unique human desire to explore the heavens is herein celebrated and our subsequent civilian/military applications of discoveries to date are explained with clarity and detail in entertaining and comprehensive essays supported by wondrous photos of our cosmos, clearly understandable charts, graphs and illustrations. Ms. Glover has provided us all with a gorgeous, mind-expanding, rigorously intelligent, captivating and delightful book about a subject that interests us all. A superlative achievement and a grand volume.