We got here proper again all the way down to Earth after we welcomed Nationwide Air and Area Museum curator Margaret Weitekamp in August. Margaret based mostly a lot of “Space Craze” on the wildly various assortment of house memorabilia she manages on the museum. From Buck Rogers to John Glenn, and from Mercury capsule cookie jars to Star Trek phasers, Margaret demonstrated how our cultural artifacts replicate our deepest hopes and fears.
There was nonetheless extra enjoyable after we took up “The Martians” in September. Writer David Baron spent years uncovering the total story of how People went loopy for the purple planet and its denizens on the flip of the twentieth century. We’d finally notice the Martians and their canals had been by no means actually there, regardless of passionate help for them from Nikola Tesla, Alexander Graham Bell, Percival Lowell, and scores of different nice thinkers.
Members of the Society know the good work of our colleague Kate Howells by her stewardship of our journal, The Planetary Report, and our weekly publication, The Downlink. They might not have been as acquainted with her books, together with “Moons: The Mysteries and Marvels of our Solar System.” I believed I knew my moons, however I picked up quite a lot of extra fascinating information in its pages, and I completely loved speaking with Kate about them.
If something unites our authors, it’s their ardour for the Cosmos and their driving must share the love. Wow, is that this ever true of Adam Frank. The astrophysicist’s newest is “The Little Book of Aliens.” It’s a incessantly hilarious romp throughout the quickly advancing seek for life, and particularly for clever life. Our readers and I additionally appreciated Adam’s tackle the widespread perception that we’re already being visited by little inexperienced folks.
It’s not too late to choose up one or each of our December choices for the younger (or older) house nerd in your life. “Are We Alone?” and “The Size of Space” are the most recent and the final within the lengthy sequence of books by our personal chief scientist, Bruce Betts. These slim volumes are full of information and nice illustrations. I can hardly wait to welcome Bruce to a stay dialog about them in early January.
Wish to be part of the membership? Be a part of The Planetary Society! All of our members have entry to our wealthy online member community that hosts the e book membership. You’ll be with us as we learn “The Giant Leap” by astronomer Caleb Scharf in January, after which choose up “The Launch of Rocket Lab” in February of 2026. That month will climax as we greet Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck. Completely satisfied studying!
