About this item
Witness the wonders of the Milky Way in this stunningly illustrated book that will make you feel like an astronaut!Blast off to the oldest star in our galaxy, zoom around planetary nebulae dubbed "the butterflies of space," circle past humongous, ringed exoplanets, and close in on newly discovered orbs that just might support alien life. David Aguilar, former Director of Science Information at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and creator of Cosmic Catastrophes and Seven Wonders of the Solar System, takes us on a unique space journey through the Milky Way. His beautifully rendered, painterly images are based on the latest scientific findings about our galaxy and are supported by lively, factual text about celestial wonders such as Omega Centauri, the Great Nebula in Orion, UY Scuti, the Hourglass Nebula, and headlining-making discoveries about planet J1407b, Tabby's Star, and the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system.
About the Author
Internationally recognized author, lecturer, astronomy expert, naturalist and space artist, David's expertise lies in showing us the fascinating connections between the universe and ourselves.
He is the AWARD-WINNING author and illustrator of seven National Geographic books including: "ALIEN WORLDS"; "SPACE ENCYCLOPEDIA: A TOUR OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AND BEYOND"; "SUPER STARS!" and the popular "13 PLANETS", winner 2011 Eureka Gold Award. Smithsonian Books will publish his next three books beginning with "COSMIC CATASTROPHES" in 2015.
He has been featured on the BBC, History Channel's "UNIVERSE" Series, ABC News, Time magazine, US News, CNN, NY Times, USA Today, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, Astronomy, Scientific American, and NPR among many others.
David is the past Director of Public Affairs and Science Information at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; past Marketing Communications Director for Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation; past Director of the Fiske Planetarium and Science Center and the producer of the Science Discovery Program at University of Colorado Boulder; and former Marketing Director for PBS's Emmy-winning NOVA series, Evolution.
In 2015 he joined the New Horizons Spacecraft Team as part of NASA's "Mission to Pluto" to lead media communications on the Pluto flyby in July 2015.
As a Smithsonian Scholar Enrichment Lecturer and Harvard Alumni Association Travel Leader, he illustrates the dynamic connections between science and nature of the regions he visits - always fresh, always changing, always something vibrant and new!
In 2010, asteroid 1990DA was designated to honor his internationally recognized contributions to science education and public outreach. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the newly proposed Aspen Science Center; member IAAA (International Association of Astronomical Artists) , and the AAS (American Astronomical Society) . He has the added distinction of being a Grammy-nominated musician along with his former band on "Love is the Song We Sing: San Francisco Nuggets 1965-1970".
David and wife Astrid reside at their home and observatory under the very dark and starry skies outside Aspen, CO.
For more information please visit: www.aspenskies.com and www.davidaguilar.org
