{"title":"Books by William Sheehan","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781789141535","title":"Saturn","description":"Saturn is the showcase of the Solar System. It may not be the largest of the planets, nor the smallest, nor even the only planet with rings. But it is among the most stunningly beautiful objects in the sky, and is always breathtaking when seen in a telescope.   This is a beautifully illustrated, authoritative overview of the entire history of humankind’s fascination with the ringed planet, from the first low-resolution views of Galileo, Huygens and other early observers with telescopes to the most recent discoveries by the spacecraft Cassini, which studied the planet at close range between 2004 and 2017. The book describes the planet from inside out, details the complicated system of rings and their interaction with Saturn’s bevy of satellites, and considers how Saturn formed and the role it played in the early history of the Solar System. Featuring the latest research and a spectacular array of images, it will appeal to the wide audience for astronomy and popular science.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56306843681141,"sku":"9781789141535","price":27.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781789141535_f9913258-2a9c-4de0-b325-896225d8a65d.jpg?v=1786027361"},{"product_id":"9781836390640","title":"The Solar System","description":"As recently as the dawn of the Space Age, the solar system was still largely unknown. The first probes to the Moon, Venus and Mars ushered in a golden age of planetary science, transforming planets from distant mysteries into vividly realized worlds. This book provides a comprehensive, accessible survey of the entire solar system, covering all major planets from Mercury to Saturn, the outer solar system and asteroids. It includes insights from leading scientists through in-person interviews, offering an engaging overview for general readers and amateur astronomers. Noting Earth’s small, beautiful and precarious nature, this book fills a unique niche, presenting the latest discoveries without losing sight of the broader picture, making it essential for anyone interested in our celestial neighbourhood.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56307902218613,"sku":"9781836390640","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781836390640_777679ad-04e7-488c-915a-ecba49e5efde.jpg?v=1786034559"},{"product_id":"9781789140125","title":"Mercury","description":"The last of the five naked-eye planets discovered in ancient times, Mercury has long been an elusive, enigmatic world. As seen from the Earth, it never emerges far from the Sun, and astronomers in the telescopic era found it challenging to work out such basic data as its rotation period, the inclination of its axis, and whether or not it possessed an atmosphere.   In this up-to-date and beautifully illustrated volume, William Sheehan brings our understanding of the planet into clear focus. He deftly traces the history from the earliest observations right up to the most recent explorations using radar and spacecraft. The planet has been surveyed in great detail, revealing vast volcanic plains, water-ice deposits in craters near the poles, and a remarkable core having the highest iron content of any body of the Solar System. A fascinating world in its own right, Mercury also holds important clues for scientists attempting to better understand the origin and evolution of the Earth.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312913330549,"sku":"9781789140125","price":27.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781789140125_45715d80-fbfc-4b27-832e-c0b39b61c40e.jpg?v=1786027314"},{"product_id":"9781789147056","title":"Jupiter","description":"Now available in paperback, this beautifully illustrated volume ranges across the entire history of Jupiter studies, from the naked-eye observations of the Babylonians and the Greeks, through the telescopic discoveries of Galileo and T.E.R. Phillips, to the explosion of information received from space probes. It brings our understanding of Jupiter right up to date and includes preliminary findings from the Juno space probe, while also providing valuable practical information for those who wish to make their own observations of the planet. Introducing planetary science in an accessible and engaging way, Jupiter will appeal to those who wish to have a better understanding of this magnificent planet and its unique place in the solar system.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312914411893,"sku":"9781789147056","price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781789147056_dd85b3d9-b42a-4bf3-a716-0a48cea19c57.jpg?v=1786026605"},{"product_id":"9781836391692","title":"Solar Eclipses","description":"For millennia, solar eclipses have stirred awe and fear. Once seen as omens, they are now celebrated as rare spectacles that unite science and wonder. This accessible, richly illustrated book explores their cultural, emotional and scientific significance, from ancient myths to modern eclipse-chasing expeditions. It traces how eclipses helped unlock secrets of the Sun, and why witnessing one inspires powerful reactions and lifelong fascination. The book also offers practical guidance for planning and observing upcoming eclipses, making it an essential companion for curious observers and seasoned eclipse-hunters alike. Combining historical depth, scientific insight and personal experience, this is the definitive guide to one of nature’s most dramatic and moving celestial events.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56369292476789,"sku":"9781836391692","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781836391692.jpg?v=1786028020"},{"product_id":"an-awesome-universe","title":"An Awesome Universe","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis groundbreaking exploration of humanity's quest to understand the cosmos spans the earliest observations of the night sky to the latest revelations from advanced space telescopes. It is about humans as much as stars, galaxies, black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. It is a book about the awe we experience in the presence of the awesome universe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWritten by an award-winning historian of astronomy and a professional astronomer specializing in galaxy formation in the early universe, this book provides a comprehensive narrative of cosmic discovery. It examines the evolution of our understanding of the universe—from the first glimpses of the stars to the recognition of the Milky Way as a spiral galaxy and the realization that our universe is filled with countless other galaxies. The book also explores the revolutionary advancements in astrophysics that have shaped our knowledge, including quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and the study of the still mysterious dark matter and dark energy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRichly illustrated with remarkable images that show the scale of the universe—from the ancient sky to the ten trillion galaxies now known to exist—An Awesome Universe also addresses some of the most profound questions in science: the nature of life beyond Earth, the fate of the universe, and whether we will ever fully understand the mysteries of space-time, the Big Bang, and the possibility of a multiverse.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis authoritative and visually captivating work offers readers a glimpse into the \"Big Picture\" of the cosmos, framed by the contributions of pioneering astronomers and driven by our ongoing quest for knowledge about our place in the universe.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57555357499765,"sku":"9780816556137","price":28.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780816556137.jpg?v=1789396011"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-william-sheehan.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}