Kaler, an emeritus professor of astronomy at the University of Illinois (The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Stars
), examines a variety of celestial bodies from the perspective of their interactions with Earth. Kaler's writing is enthusiastic, and he conveys his own wonder and excitement at the myriad mysteries of the universe. His description of the effect of the sun and moon on the tides is thorough, as are his explanations of the source of the sun's energy and how an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter was discovered. But Kaler's book is not for beginners: as he progresses through cosmic rays, comets, supernovas and even more spectacular massive star collapses that create hypernovae, his detailed style demands close attention (opaque sentences abound), a familiarity with sometimes difficult mathematical concepts and general familiarity with astronomy. Kaler offers a great deal of information, and his thematic approach—considering the interaction of the universe and our lives—is sound, but even readers with a sophisticated background in mathematics and science will be challenged by this book. (Sept.)
