|
|
| Number
of: Pages |
288 |
|
| ISBN: |
0471409766 |
| Sku
Code: |
-Q2 |
| Title: |
Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing Hoax |
| Author: |
Philip C. Plait |
|
Media : |
Paperback |
|
Condition: |
Brand New/Mint Condition |
| Published: |
14 March, 2002 |
|
|
Item
Description
|
|
From Publishers Weekly
Plait, a science writer who works in the physics and astronomy department at Sonoma State University, is appalled that millions of Americans don't believe the moon landing really took place and do believe that Galileo went blind from looking at the sun, or that they can make an egg stand on end only on the vernal equinox. To set the record straight, he debunks these and many other astronomy-related urban legends in this knowledgeable, lighthearted volume. The early chapter Idiom's Delight sets the stage by clearing up the scientific inaccuracies in everyday expressions as in the phrase light years ahead, for example, which is used to indicate timeliness or prescience when light years are actually a unit of distance. In later chapters, Plait explains meteors, eclipses, UFOs, and the big bang theory, revealing much about the basic principles of astronomy while clearing up fallacies. With avuncular humor, he points out the ways advertising and media reinforce bad science and pleads for more accuracy in Hollywood story lines and special effects. This book is the first in Wiley's Bad Science series on scientific misconceptions (future titles will focus on biology, weather and the earth). (Mar.)Forecast: If every entry in the series is as entertaining as Plait's, good science may have a fighting chance with the American public. Expect respectable sales, for the paperback format is nicely suited for armchair debunkers.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Inspired by his popular web site, www. badastronomy, this first book by Plait (astronomy, Sonoma State Univ.) debunks popular myths and misconceptions relating to astronomy and promotes science as a means of explaining our mysterious heavens. The work describes 24 common astronomical fallacies, including the beliefs that the Coriolis effect determines the direction that water drains in a bathtub and that planetary alignments can cause disaster on Earth. The author sharply and convincingly dismisses astrology, creationism, and UFO sightings and explains the principles behind basic general concepts (the Big Bang, why the sky is blue, etc.). Though some may find him strident, Plait succeeds brilliantly because his clear and understandable explanations are convincing and honest. This first volume in Wiley's Bad Science series is recommended for all libraries, especially astronomy and folklore collections. Jeffrey Beall, Univ. of Colorado Lib., Denver
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
Payment
Method |
|
|
We
accept PayPal Our paypal email account is ebay@thebigbooksale.com
- This is our preferred method of accepting payment
for our ebay transactions. |
|
|
International
Buyers: Please note we only accept payment
on international transactions via Pay Pal in GBP only.
|
|
|
Postal
Order/Cheques (UK ONLY):
Payable to THE BIG BOOK SALE |
|
|
Terms
& Conditions |
|
- Please
note due to our discounted prices and high demand, books
do go out of stock with the publishers, if this is
the case we will notify you and refund you in full. In
some rare instances the books may be subject to a
re print with the publisher and in this case it will
take approx 4-6 weeks to send the book out to you.
You will be given the choice of a full refund or to wait
the period to receive the book.
- The term P
& P means Postage Packaging Material and Handling
cost. We try to provide our customers with a good
service consisting of quality packaging and fast
dispatch (please see our feedback).
- Please note we
have six warehouses based in the United Kingdom.
In most instances multiple purchases may be delivered
separately. If this is the case we will email you to let
you know. Our priority is to make sure you the
customer receives the order as quickly as possible.
- By Bidding on the item you
agree to pay for the item in full without delay.
Any buyer who does not pay within a reasonable framework
of time will have a NPB strike imposed by eBay.
If you get three non paying bidder strikes against your
ID eBay will ban you from their site. Please note
that the books we send out are BRAND NEW and are
sent directly from the publishers or from an authorized
distributor.
- Please make sure that your
shipping address on eBay is correct at time of making
payment as sometimes due to the way we process orders
sending the goods to a different address may not be
possible.
- All International
mail items will be sent by Priority Post Air Mail
Service. We do not use Surface mail.
|
|
Shipping
and handling charges |
|
|
Postage,
Shipping and handling charges are all set out below in
this auction. We ship from the UK to anywhere in
the world. Delivery approximation times after
dispatch are as follow:
- UK - 3 Working days
- Europe - 5 working
days
- USA & Rest of
World - 10 working days
Please note that these
delivery times are approximations. We use Royal
Mail and DHL for shipping goods.
|
|
We
aim to dispatch your order the Same
Working Day after payment.
|
|
|
SPECIAL
POSTAGE OFFER: Additional Items only 2 Pounds Each! |
|
|
Each
additional Item is only charged at 2 GBP an Item!
To
take up our combined postage deal you will need to
buy, win and pay for all items within a 5 day period.
This deal applies to all of our listings for parcels
shipped to mainland UK.
|
|
|
|
Track up to 10 items on this computer in 
)
