Overview

Drawing on his vast knowledge and direct experience of most of the key events in astronomy and space exploration during this century, Patrick Moore takes a sideways look at the historical reports and contemporary thought behind a wide range of astronomical topics. The Wandering Astronomer presents his personal accounts of the towering characters of 20th-century astronomy, intriguing facts about puzzling astronomical phenomena, and amusing stories about the quirkier side of astronomy and space exploration. This collection of essays covers everything from the case of vanishing planets to UFOs over Selsey. Entertaining and informative, it will be enjoyable reading for both seasoned and amateur astronomers as well as general science readers. About the Author Author and broadcaster Patrick Moore is a lunar specialist who makes observations from his home in Selsey on most clear nights. He has written more than 100 books, and for the past 43 years he has presented BBC TV's Sky at Night program without missing a single episode. Moore served in the RAF during WWII and has been involved in astronomy since he was a boy. In 1967 he was awarded the OBE for his services to astronomy, and in 1988 he received the CBE. He also recently received a knighthood in the New Years Honours list.

Full Product Details

Author:   Patrick Moore
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Institute of Physics Publishing
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.612kg
ISBN:  

9780750306935

ISBN 10:   0750306939
Pages:   210
Publication Date:   01 January 2000
Audience:   General/trade ,  Professional and scholarly ,  General ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

"The Atmosphere of the Moon. The Man Who Discovered a Planet. Moon in Shadow. The Zodiacal Intruder. Fishing Hipparcos Down. The Past and Future Moon. Visitor to the Acres Vallis. Harvest Moons, Wolf Moons and Blue Moons. The Cosmic Zebra. Flying Saucers in Selsey. Gene Shoemaker. The Blackness of Mathilde. Hitch-Hider and Others. Ice on the Moon?. Mira Stella. The Case of the Vanishing Planets. Poetic Moons. A Lightning Decision!. The Strange Case of SS Lacertae. How the Lunar Craters Weren't Formed. The Lonely Brown Dwarf. Sister Marie and Others. To Catch a Comet. Curious Callisto. A year on Icarus. The Lighter Side of Space. Alshain. Names in the Sky. Travel to the Stars?. Ghost Moons. Ripples of Creation. ""Des Res"" on Mars?. The Edge of the Moon. The Sad Case of Dr Elliott. Fast Lane to Pluto. Life Can Appear but Will it!. Thatcher's Comet. Apocalypse Postponed. The Star in the East. It was in the Papers!. Caribbean Eclipse."

Reviews

I can thoroughly recommend this entertaining and informative book to professionals and non-professionals alike. Nick Lomb, Sydney Observatory Powerhouse Museum .. contains something for everyone to enjoy Contemporary Physics A very good read. Spaceflight . . . is a delightful pot pourri of serious history, unfology-bashing, and everything in between. . . Quite how Patrick retains such an enormous fund of stories is beyond me. Long may he continue to do it, though. The Observatory Magazine This collection of 41 short essays by Patrick Moore is a really enjoyable read. The essays range from serious scientific discussions of astronoical problems to amusing tales of unbelievable events, and cover the whole spectrum of astronomy from early times to the present day. Both practitioners and amateurs will find the book of considerable interest. Aslib Book Guide This latest book is simply a collection of essays on a wide range of astronomical topics and people, so that it makes an ideal gift for any budding young astronomer. It's format is such that it can be put on one's own bedside table ready to be picked up for a quick read on a cold winter's night. . . Buy it. Colin Gray in MNASSA Vol. 59, Nos. 9 and 10 thoroughly recommend this entertaining and informative book to professionals and non-professionals alike. Nick Lomb, Sydney Observatory Powerhouse Museum .. contains something for everyone to enjoy Contemporary Physics A very good read. Spaceflight . . . is a delightful pot pourri of serious history, unfology-bashing, and everything in between. . . Quite how Patrick retains such an enormous fund of stories is beyond me. Long may he continue to do it, though. TheObservatory Magazine This collection of 41 short essays by Patrick Moore is a really enjoyable read. The essays range from serious scientific discussions of astronoical problems to amusing tales of unbelievable events, and cover the whole spectrum of astronomy from early times to the present day. Both practitioners and amateurs will find the book of considerable interest. Aslib Book Guide This latest book is simply a collection of essays on a wide range of astronomical topics and people, so that it makes an ideal gift for any budding young astronomer. It's format is such that it can be put on one's own bedside table ready to be picked up for a quick read on a cold winter's night. . . Buy it. Colin Gray in MNASSA Vol. 59, Nos. 9 and 10

Astonomer Patric Moore is simply an instition. Seemingly ever present (his Sky at Night television programme has run for an extraordinary 43 years!) even his unconventional tailor seems to endure every change in fashion unpretured. Institution he may be, expert he surely is - despite always describing himself as an amateur - prolific author. Many of his books are, in a sense, straightforward in that they rarely address issues such as the latest perspective on cosmology. But if you want to know about the planet Mars, say, then Moore will doubtless have a book about it; and a good one too. This latest volume contains more than 40 essays. It is his third such compendium and has the author puts it 'no plan at all'. The essays are unconnected, some comment on historic reports, while some focus on contemporary thought. All reflect personal style and he is not afraid to include quirky or amusing commentary along the way. Whether the subject is Saturn's mysterious eighth moon, or lunar craters he finds something interesting, and often new, to say. A clear glossary of terms used throughout the book will help those taking an interest for the first time. Now out in paperback, this will delight those with a regular interest in astronomy and is a must for fans. (Kirkus UK)

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Moore, Patrick

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