Space Oddities: An Astronomy Miscellany

Space Oddities: An Astronomy Miscellany is a pocket-sized book filled with hundreds of amazing facts about space, including the distance of a light year, the reasons behind Pluto's planet status, the end of the universe, dark energy, and the cost of delivering a pizza to space.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2024
Publisher: National Maritime Museum

How far is a light year?
A light year is a measure of distance, equivalent to the distance that light travels in one year. It is used to describe the vastness of the Universe and the distances between celestial objects. The distance to the nearest star, Proxima Centauri, is approximately 4.24 light years.
Why isn't Pluto a planet anymore?
Pluto was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system, but it was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The IAU defined a planet as a celestial body that orbits the Sun, has enough mass to be roughly spherical, and has cleared its orbit area of smaller objects. Pluto does not meet these criteria, as it has a highly eccentric orbit and is surrounded by a debris disk.
Will the Universe end?
The Universe is believed to be expanding and cooling, which suggests that it will eventually end in a state known as heat death. However, the exact timing and mechanism of this end are still uncertain and are the subject of ongoing research.
What exactly is dark energy?
Dark energy is a mysterious force that is causing the expansion of the Universe to accelerate. It is believed to make up approximately 68% of the total energy in the Universe, but its origin and nature are still unknown.
How much does it cost to deliver a pizza to space?
The cost of delivering a pizza to space is significantly higher than the cost of purchasing a pizza on Earth. The cost of launching a rocket and transporting a pizza into space can range from millions to billions of dollars, depending on the size and weight of the pizza and the distance it needs to travel.

Dimension: 172 x 132 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781739154219