Stars Above, Earth Below - by Tyler Nordgren (Paperback)

Number of Pages: 444
Genre: Science
Sub-Genre: Astronomy
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Praxis Publications Inc
Age Range: Adult
Author: Tyler Nordgren
Language: English

About the Book

Stars Above, Earth Below examines a range of astronomical topics in relation to the landscapes, processes and cultures which can be seen and experienced within US National Parks. The geological features readers can see are linked to the very latest NASA spacecraft discoveries on other planets and their moons.

Book Synopsis

Stars Above, Earth Below uses photographs and sky charts to form a connection between what is seen on the ground and in the sky, and looks at the deeper scientific meaning behind these sights. Nordgren describes other objects in the Solar System with features similar to those on Earth and links the geological features seen in the national parks to the very latest NASA spacecraft discoveries on other planets and their moons. Additionally, historical context is discussed to show why we humans (who have lived in and around our national parts for tens of thousands of years) have always been astronomers.

• The first book to make direct connections between astronomy and the landscapes, processes and cultures one experiences in the US National Parks
• Each chapter ties a specific astronomical phenomenon to a particular National Park or type of park and concludes with a "See for yourself" section that shows you how to see the planets, stars, nebulae, moons, etc. that are described within that chapter
• A personal guide showing the reader the astronomical phenomena that you can see for yourself when visiting the U.S. National Parks

From the Back Cover

In Stars Above, Earth Below, Tyler Nordgren examines a range of astronomical topics and makes the connection between them and the landscapes, processes, and cultures which can be seen and experienced within specific U.S. National Parks. For each park and topic the story unfolds in three steps: what does the reader see for him - or herself? What is the scientific cause or explanation of what is seen? And finally, what is the big picture about ourselves, our world, and our Universe? The author takes us the length and breadth of the U.S., from the coast of Maine to the Yellowstone volcano, from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the heights of the Rocky Mountains, exploring the natural links between the features of the parks and those of our Universe.

Review Quotes

From the reviews:

"A photo essay on a years-long journey to see the natural wonders of dark skies over America's most beautiful landscapes ... and visions of future exploration of the planets -- Stars Above, Earth Below is all of these. ... Nordgren's text is accompanied by a truly exorbitant number of photos and diagrams ... . The book will delight space fans, but I think that it will do a greater public service by exposing those people who already love ... places seen throughout the Space Age." (Emily Lakdawalla, The Planetary Society Blog, December, 2010)

"There are numerous field books on astronomy on the market, but this new book stands out. Astronomer Nordgren ... spent 14 months traveling across the US, visiting 12 national parks and contributing to their nighttime public outreach programs. The result is this beautiful diary of the author's experiences and account of the unique aspects of the night sky at each site. ... Most chapters are illustrated with beautiful color photos, many of them taken by Nordgren. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries." (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 48 (3), November, 2010)

"Appeal to readers with a wider interest in wild landscapes. ... the book is an excellent example of the growing global trend of developing partnerships between astronomers and environmental managers. ... includes a good number of eye-catching images and illustrations to draw the reader into its themes. As a general introduction to astronomy the style is individual and idiosyncratic. The approach weaves together, for example, personal anecdotes, philosophical observations, and practical seasonal star-charts." (Dan Hillier, The Observatory, Vol. 131 (1222), June, 2011)

About the Author

Dr. Nordgren is an Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Redlands. As an observational astronomer he has written over two dozen peer-reviewed papers on pulsars, the interstellar medium, star formation in galaxies, the distribution of dark matter in galaxies, and the atmospheres and pulsation of red giant stars. In addition, he has professional interests in archaeoastronomy, light pollution and science education. These interests were developed during positions held as an astronomer at the U.S. Naval Observatory and then Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona. Both institutions have worked diligently and successfully with local governments to establish light pollution ordinances. Dr. Nordgren has designed and built sundials, including a two-story dial at the University of Redlands, and is one of seven scientists and artists that turned the NASA Mars Exploration Rover camera calibration cartnears into working Martian sundials. These Marsdials have become the most photographed objects of the Spirit and Opportunity Rover mission. In addition, while at the U.S. Naval Observatory and later University of Redlands, he worked with NPS park managers at Wupatki National Monument and Chaco Culture National Historic Park to photograph alignments of ancestral Puebloan kivas with respect to the North Star. In 2005 Dr. Nordgren began working with Chad Moore, leader of the National Park Service Night Sky Team who has developed a method of quantifying the amount of light pollution in the skies above the national parks. With his support, Dr. Nordgren is working with the U.S. National Park Service to spend his sabbatical during the 2007-2008 academic school year in the national parks writing the remainder of the book.