$19.95
Children can put their flying skills to the test with this chunky pad of brightly patterned spaceships. Each tear-out, patterned paper sheet can be folded, origami-style, into a flying spacecraft by following the step-by-step instructions included.$29.95
Bill Bryson describes himself as a reluctant traveller: but even when he stays safely in his own study at home, he can't contain his curiosity about the world around him. A Short History of Nearly Everything is his quest to find out everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization - how we got from there, being nothing at all, to here, being us. Bill Bryson's challenge is to take subjects that normally bore the pants off most of us, like geology, chemistry and particle physics, and see if there isn't some way to render them comprehensible to people who have never thought they could be interested in science. It's not so much about what we know, as about how we know what we know. How do we know what is in the centre of the Earth, or what a black hole is, or where the continents were 600 million years ago? How did anyone ever figure these things out? On his travels through time and space, he encounters a splendid collection of astonishingly eccentric, competitive, obsessive and foolish scientists, like the painfully shy Henry Cavendish who worked out many conundrums like how much the Earth weighed, but never bothered to tell anybody about many of his findings. In the company of such extraordinary people, Bill Bryson takes us with him on the ultimate eye-opening journey, and reveals the world in a way most of us have never seen it before.
$34.95
What do you need to know to prosper for 65,000 years or more? The First knowledges series provides a deeper understanding of the expertise and ingenuity of Indigenous Australians.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people are the oldest scientists in human history.
Many Indigenous people regard the land as a reflection of the sky and the sky a reflection of the land. Sophisticated astronomical expertise embedded within the Dreaming and Songlines are interwoven into deep understanding of changes on the land, such as weather patterns and seasonal shifts, that are integral in knowledges of time, food availability and ceremony.
In Astronomy: Sky Country, Karlie noon and Krystal De Napoli explore the connections between Aboriginal environmental and cultural practices and the behaviour of the stars, and consider what must be done to sustain our dark skies, and the information they hold, into the future.
$24.95
Travel into space with this comprehensive visual encyclopedia of the cosmos, from the Big Bang to the Extremely Large Telescope.$39.95
Bill Yidumduma Harney is Senior Aboriginal Elder of the Wardaman community west of Katherine N.T. He is well-known through his 1996 book Born Under the Paperbark Tree, and the 2002 SBS film of his family and land, the Menngen White Cockatoo Country. The rock art of this area is famous for striped figures of the Lightning Brothers and other Spiritual Ancestors; and his tourist ventures give large numbers of people the chance to see these Dreaming of his people.
Stockman, land rights pioneer, story-teller par excellence and original painter, this custodian of sites as well as stories has always talked of the moon and stars On Top. In 1998 he asked Dr Hugh Cairns if he would write a book with him on his astronomy... Dark Sparklers is the result, and above all is an intriguing insight into a rather amazing modern Aboriginal Elder who has a cosmic view of life within his earthy realism.
$14.95
Add a touch of personality to this Parkes Radio Telescope A5, 80 page spiral-bound notebook ready for use at home, school or the office.
$39.95
This package consists of "The Dish Book" and "The Dish DVD". If bought seperate the cost is $44.95. Buying this unique purchase as a " Dish Package" saves you $5.00 and makes a beautiful gift.$29.95
Going boldly forth as a pioneer in the fledgling field of space archaeology, Dr Alice Gorman (aka Dr Space Junk) turns the common perception of archaeology as an exploration of the ancient on its head. Her captivating inquiry into the most modern and daring of technologies spanning some 60 years — a mere speck in cosmic terms — takes the reader on a journey which captures the relics of space forays and uncovers the cultural value of detritus all too readily dismissed as junk.
In this book, she takes a physical journey through the solar system and beyond, and a conceptual journey into human interactions with space. Her tools are artefacts, historical explorations, the occasional cocktail recipe, and the archaeologist's eye applied not only to the past, but the present and future as well.
Erudite and playful, Dr Space Junk reveals that space is not as empty as we might think. And that by looking up and studying space artefacts, we learn an awful lot about our own culture on earth. She makes us realise that objects from the past — the material culture produced by the Space Age and beyond — are so significant to us now because they remind us of what we might want to hold onto into the future.
$29.95
Astronomers have long known that the Universe is expanding, but everything they could see indicated that gravity should be slowing this spread. Instead, it appears that the Universe is accelerating its expansion and that something stronger than gravity --dark energy -- is at work. In Einstein's Telescope Evalyn Gates, a University of Chicago astrophysicist, transports us to the edge of contemporary science to explore the revolutionary tool that unlocks the secrets of these little-understood cosmic constituents. Based on Einstein's theory of general relativity, gravitational lensing, or "Einstein's Telescope," is enabling new discoveries that are taking us toward the next revolution in scientific thinking -- one that may change forever our notions of where the Universe came from and where it is going.$19.95
This book gives you an easy-to-read introduction to what we know about Aboriginal Astronomy, and the current state of research into this area.
Each of the 400 different Aboriginal cultures in Australia has a distinct mythology, ceremonies, and art forms, some of which have a strong astronomical component. Many share common traditions such as the “emu in the sky” constellation of dark clouds, and stories about the Sun, Moon, Orion, and the Pleiades. Several use the rising and setting of particular stars to indicate the time to harvest a food source, and some link the Sun and Moon to tides, and even explain eclipses as a conjunction of the Sun and Moon.
Thse traditions reveal a depth and complexity of Aboriginal cultures which are not widely appreciated by outsiders. This book explores the wonderful mystical Aboriginal astronomical stories and traditions, and the way in which these are used for practical applications such as navigation and harvesting. It also describes the journey of exploration which is opening Western eyes to this treasury of ancient Aboriginal knowledge.
It's written by Prof. Ray Norris (an astrophysicist with CSIRO, and an Adjunct Professor at the Dept. of Indigenous Studies, Macquarie University), and his wife Cilla. They have spent the last five years studying Aboriginal Astronomy.
Their research has included:
- uncovering little-known academic manuscripts,
- visiting Aboriginal sites throughout Australia, including the Sydney rock-art,
- spending time with the Yolngu communities in Arnhem Land.
$54.95
The common language of genius: Eureka! While the roads that lead to breakthrough scientific discovery can be as varied and complex as the human mind, the moment of insight for all scientists is remarkably similar. The word "eureka!", attributed to the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes, has come to express that universal moment of joy, wonder-and even shock-at discovering something entirely new. In this collection of twelve scientific stories, Leslie Alan Horvitz describes the drama of sudden insight as experienced by a dozen distinct personalities, detailing discoveries both well known and obscure. From Darwin, Einstein, and the team of Watson and Crick to such lesser known luminaries as fractal creator Mandelbrot and periodic table mastermind Dmitri Medellev, Eureka! perfectly illustrates Louis Pasteur's quip that chance favors the prepared mind. The book also describes how amateur scientist Joseph Priestley stumbled onto the existence of oxygen in the eighteenth century and how television pioneer Philo Farnsworth developed his idea for a TV screen while plowing his family's Idaho farm.$19.95
Discover fun facts as you lift over 50 flaps on an incredible illustrated journey into space!
$29.95
What are stars made of?
Why does the moon shine?
What do astronauts wear?
These and hundreds of other questions about our Solar System and the Universe are answered in this charming book. Simple, easy-to-read text and lively, detailed illustrations introduce the basic concepts of space to young readers.
$59.95
The scientific life of Fred Hoyle (1915-2001) was truly unparalleled. During his career he wrote groundbreaking scientific papers and caused bitter disputes in the scientific community with his revolutionary theories. Hoyle is best known for showing that we are all, literally, made of stardust in his paper explaining how carbon, and then all the heavier elements, were created by nuclear reactions inside stars. However, he constantly courted controversy and two years later he followed this with his 'steady state' theory of the universe. This challenged another model of the universe, which Hoyle called the 'big bang' theory. Fred Hoyle was also famous amongst the general public. He popularised his research through radio and television broadcasts and wrote best-selling novels. Written from personal accounts and interviews with Hoyle's contemporaries, this book gives valuable personal insights into Fred Hoyle and his unforgettable life.$24.95
George never expected to be swept up in a intergalactic adventure. But that's exactly what happens when he and his best friend, Annie, meet a talking super-computer called Cosmos who can send them into space!
But the mysteries of the universe are bigger than they could have guessed. And as well as becoming overnight astronauts and navigating black holes, they must make sure the most powerful computer in the world doesn't find its ways into enemy hands...
$29.95
Buckle up! How to be a Space Explorer is a practical manual for all aspiring astronauts, packed with jaw-dropping stories from real-life space exploration. Learn how to navigate black holes, slingshot around Jupiter and survive the freezing depths of space. This book will blast you into the stratosphere, so strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.$29.95
The universe is huge and includes everything in space, from large stars and galaxies to tiny pieces of dust. Learn all about the wonders of space in Incredible But True: Space!
How hot is the sun?
Which planet rotates on its side?
Why does Saturn have rings?
Uncover the mysteries of space, from stars and planets to space travel. Explore the International Space Station, meet the Curiosity rover as it tours Mars, and learn how to observe the night sky in this fun and educational book!
$24.95
A collection of simple hands-on activities for young readers. Activities range from building a simple model to illustrate the vast scope of our solar system to a demonstration of the speed of light. These activities are designed to engage both the readers' hands and minds, which helps them better understand and retain the knowledge gained from the activities.$19.95
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to the Moon? This beautifuuly illustrated picture book will take you on a journey to find out. You can fly into outer space, walk on the Moon and take a look at our world from a very, very long way away.$24.95
From cyborgs, starships,UFOs, aliens and antimatter to telepathy, invisibility, psychokinesis and precognition. According to Albert Einstein, 'If at first an idea does not sound absurd, there is not hope for it.' Physics of the Impossible shows how our most far-fetched ideas today are destined to become tomorrow's reality. Michio Kaku, bestselling author and one of the world's most acclaimed physicists, looks at the science of the future and explains what's just around the corner, what we might have to wait a few millennia to get our hands on and how surprisingly little of it is truly impossible.
$24.95
Suitable for curious young minds, this space book is packed with flaps to lift to reveal answers to some of the biggest questions in the universe. It helps them discover planets, stars and galaxies and explore intergalactic space.$29.95
Explore our amazing solar system while learning fascinating facts about the planets and other objects that orbit the Sun. Suitable for ages 7+ this appealing carry-along format includes a 16-page book 100-piece jigsaw puzzle a set of 15 flash cards and solar system model. Kids who have a budding interest in space will love the components which allow them to have fun while they learn. The model of the solar system helps to learn the order of the planets and packs away in a convenient tub.$24.95
Puzzle: 200 Pieces. Size- 59 x 40cm.
Book: Title- Usborne Space Maze. Pages: 32.
$14.95
Venture to the far reaches of the galaxy with this collection of picture, word and number puzzles. Entertaining activities include cracking an alien code, finding routes through galaxy mazes, spot the difference and lots more. All the answers are at the back of the book.$54.95
Conversations on Astrobiology
With over 450 planets now known to exist beyond the Solar System, spacecraft heading for Mars, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, this timely book explores current ideas about the search for life in the Universe.
$39.95
The brain's cells are wired together with 100 trillion connections. That makes each and every human brain a contender as the most complex system in the universe, a system that endows us with an intellect that far outstripsthat of any other creature. However, there is one difficult question remaining: Are we intelligent enough to understand our own brains?Follow the journey as history's greatest brains, such as Avicenna, Thomas Willis, Charles Darwin, and Paul Broca, try to figure it out by linking the structure of the brain to its functions. How does the brain control the body, how does it make sense of our surroundings, and allow us to understand, empathise with and love other people (and their brains)? And how does it create that most mysterious feature of the universe-consciousness.* Contains 100 chronological articles that tell the story of neuroscience from the dawn of history to the present day.* Authoritative text, exciting imagery, and helpful diagrams accompany each of the steps along the way.* Biographies of great neuroscientists and a functional map of the brain boosts the contents for all readers.*A simple guide to neuroscience draws together current understanding to set out the basics of the field.* 100 Ponderables also contains a 24-page removable foldout concertina neatly housed at the back of the book. This fold-out concertina includes a 12-page Timeline History of the brain and a 12-page Guide to the nervous system.$29.95
Combining impeccable history and intriguing stories of espionage and intellectual breakthroughs, this riveting bestseller, by the author of this popular science classic FERMAT'S LAST THEOREM, brings to life the secret world of cryptographs and code-breakers from Ancient Egypt to the age of the internet.$29.95
"develops one fresh new insight after another...In the great tradition of physicists writing for the masses, The Elegant Universe sets a standard that will be hard to beat." -- The New York Times Book Review
In a rare blend of scientific insight and writing as elegant as the theories it explains, Brian Greene, one of the world's leading string theorists, peels away the layers of mystery surrounding string theory to reveal a universe that consists of 11 dimensions where the fabric of space tears and repairs itself, and all matter-from the smallest quarks to the most gargantuan supernovas-is generated by the vibrations of microscopically tiny loops of energy.
Green uses everything from an amusement park ride to ants on a garden hose to illustrate the beautiful yet bizarre realities that modern physics is unveiling. Dazzling in its brilliance, unprecedented in its ability to both illuminate and entertain, The Elegant Universe is a tour de force of science writing-a delightful, lucid voyage through modern physics that brings us closer than ever to understanding how the universe works.
$29.95
From The War of the Worlds to The Martian and to the amazing photographs sent back by the robotic rovers Curiosity and Opportunity, Mars has excited our imaginations as the most likely other habitat for life in the solar system.$19.95
One day a long long time ago, the seven stars decided to visit earth. They asked the Milky Way to bring them down near a creek in the desert and they stepped off and turned into people.$14.95
What is the surface of Mars like? Why does Venus glow in the dark?$14.95
Spent all your pocket money again? There are heaps of great things you can make with stuff that's lying round the house - and they won't cost you a cent! Ages 7-12. Check out all the toys and gizmos you can make with simple household stuff! From Mexican jumping beans to a diving octopus and a popcorn lava lamp, you'll be whizzing and spinning like crazy. Watch out you don't get dizzy! Ages 7-12.$19.95
This fantastic activity book is packed with things to do, so just grab a pen and have fun!$24.95
Blast off into space with this fascinating flap book. Find out how the moon was made, why stars shine and how we know so much about plants that are far, far away.$19.95
Young space fans can create their own amazing spaceships in this skyrocketing sticker book. 10 full pages of stickers, including laser guns, rocket boosters, viewing ports and more will keep children entertained for hours. Includes spaceships inspired by famous science fiction stories, as well as actual spaceships and satellites that exist today.$29.95
Why is the Milky Way blue? Why isn't a black hole dark? How many stars can you see with your naked eye?
Humans are the only known astronomers in the universe. When we look up at the night sky, we are linked to our ancestors. Away from city lights, we can see what generations of people before us have wondered at and weaved stories around.
But all that will change. The Andromeda Galaxy is rushing towards us at 400,000 kilometres an hour.
When Galaxies Collide will guide you to look at the night sky afresh. It peers 5.86 billion years into the future to consider the fate of Earth and its inhabitants. Will the solution be to live in space without a planet to call home? Will one of the other 100 billion planets spawn life?
Learn how to watch this space.