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Books - Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing 'Hoax'
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Rating:  -
The average American knows more about what Julia Roberts eats for breakfast than what the Coriolis effect is, and Dr. Plait thinks that should change. I think this book should be mandatory reading for anyone remotely interested in astronomy and/or science fiction. His website is just as informative.
Rating:  -
As long as Plait limits himself to topics he actually understands this book has some use. He clearly doesn't understand astrology so his attempts to debunk it in terms of Astronomy are laughable. Astrology gave birth to Astronomy not the other way around. So he should be a little more respectful. Instead he basically ignores the fact that Astrology actually does work, and has worked for countless millenia, for people the world over! Of course Newtonian Astronomy tells him it can't work, so this of course must be so. Wrong! Astrology and Astronomy deal in two completely different ways of understanding the heavenly bodies, so a modern Astronomer is the least qualified to explain Astrology in any way shape or form.
As far as the Apollo hoax is concerned he again follows the politically correct route. Insisting that the Apollo Hoax crowd is wrong! Plait relies upon the standard NASA "proofs" to "prove" Apollo was real, instead of looking at the facts of the case objectively. Regardless of Plait's and NASA's assurances to the contrary, the fact that today NASA doesn't even know how to do a moon mission is a strong indication that something was seriously wrong with Apollo at the very least. How is this possible, if Apollo actually solved all the monumental technological and scientific problems blocking manned lunar missions over thirty years ago? The post Apollo space program is basically limited to missions operating at the relative level of Project Gemini. Why? Apollo should have been the stepping stone to more advanced lunar missions at the very least! It was not, and if Apollo was genuine, there's no valid explanation for NASA's current incompetence in manned lunar missions! In fact Apollo should have made manned lunar missions easier to do today, not more difficult! The fact that NASA has "dumbed downed" the post Apollo space program rather than build upon its alleged Apollo achievements proves more than any other "proof" to the contrary, that Apollo was a massive hoax!
Rating: -
I have to say the book isn't too bad. Mr Plait seems like a genuinely likeable guy, he definitely knows his stuff, plus I've learnt a lot of things from this book. My criticisms definitely don't lie in the accuracy of the factual content of the book.
(Of small importance since I'm from Australia)I have to say that this book is definitely more relevant for people in North America? He deals with egg-balancing at the equinox (something I'd never heard of)and also always refers to the Northern Hemishere in his explanations.
However my main issue is that I don't like is his style of writing. I understand that he is trying to make the book accessible for everyone...and while I think he explains the topics of interest very well...his style seems childish and his 'wit' feels forced, (especially at the end of each chapter) is definitely un-funny...and is at times *groan* inducing. Again...maybe this is more to American taste.
Another thing I would have liked to have seen more of is more debunking of the Apollo/Moon hoax...for example...a huge (but pathetic) argument of moon-hoax supporters is the fact that the flag moves...I would have liked to at least seen that covered (I do realise he covers that in his website).
My edition also had a lot of spelling errors.
Rating: -
Great overview of common misconceptions and deliberate hoaxes in the feild of astronomy. Doesn't require any prior knowledge of astronomy and reads well to both lay and amateur astronomers alike. Great place to start to learn about our astronomical surroundings and the why's of the sky. Everything from why the moon shows the same face all the time to why the sky is blue and how we really did go to the moon. Well written and a great sense of humor. Dr. Phil Plait does an excellent job.
Rating: -
I have not read "Bad Astronomy" yet, however, I did skim through the book. It is certainly uniquue in its content, very, informative and written to appeal to a broad readership. I ordered another copy for a friend who is a science teacher.
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