The most futuristic of humankind’s inventions is also one of the oldest. Author Ron Miller tells the story of rockets, from their humble beginnings as toys one thousand years ago to their initiation as fearsome weapons of war. Most recently, rockets have enabled human beings to escape the bonds of Earth, travel into space, and explore other worlds. This is a story of great geniuses, personal sacrifices, and grand adventure.

Uncover seven wonders of the four rocky planets. From Mercury, we'll watch the Sun appear to perform wild acrobatics. We'll also explore Venus, a planet full of puzzles and beauty. On Mars, we'll visit the tallest mountain and the deepest canyon of all the planets. This planet has hints of water that may be the key to identifying life forms on other planets.

In the sixth century B.C.E., the Greek philosopher Anaximander theorized that Earth was at the center of the cosmos. That idea became ingrained in scientific thinking and Christian religious beliefs for more than one thousand years. Defiance of church doctrine could mean death, so no one dared dispute this long-accepted idea. No one except a handful of courageous scientists. In the 1500s and 1600s, men like Nicolaus Copernicus, Johanned Kepler, Galileo...

When it was first published in 1902, The Varieties of Religious Experience caused a revolution, a quantum leap, a paradigm shift. James opened the door to the scientific study of religious experience, probing the relationship between religion and psychology. It is obvious no one can have a religious experience without brain activity. The salient question is whether this brain activity is the mediator or creator of the experience. This classic text...

Saturn is the crown jewel of the solar system. Admired for centuries for its beauty--a pale gold ball surrounded by gleaming white rings--modern astronomers have discovered that Saturn is one of the most amazing of all the planets. From the mysteries of its glorious rings to its dozens of unique moons, one of which is large enough to be a world in its own right, the story of Saturn is also the story of astronomy and the discovery of the solar system....

In every age, science and technology have played an important role in advancing human civilization. From architecture to engineering, communication to transportation, humans have invented and developed extraordinary wonders. Engineers take the discoveries of scientists and mathematicians to make practical things, from roads and bridges to weapons and vehicles. Electronic engineers design and build everything from television sets to computers. Chemical...

Known as the red planet, Mars is the closest planet to the sun. Easily seen from Earth, Mars has intrigued thousands of people throughout history. Many have wondered whether the planet could be inhabited by forms of life; many have dreamed of exploring the planet. Several successful space projects have revealed interesting facts about the history, make-up, and geology of Mars. Although much has been discovered, mysteries surrounding Mars and its moons...

Each night, millions of stars light up the dark skies. Galaxies throughout the universe encompass thousands of stars. The appearance of stars in the sky have intrigued and enthralled humans since ancient time. From constellations to the big bang theory, Stars and Galaxies explores the complex world of astronomy and scientific discovery.

For centuries, astronomers have placed a special interest on the other planets of the solar system. But with the advent of spacecraft and the tremendous missions undertaken by the Voyager and Cassini probes, astronomers have discovered that the natural satellites of the planets-the solar system's moons-are some of the most extraordinary places imaginable. There are moons with towering geysers, erupting volcanoes, and subterranean oceans of warm, mineral-rich...

Huge, towering clouds build up in the sky-it's a super cell. The Doppler radar indicates that the system is rotating. But is there a funnel? Is it touching the ground? Only a storm chaser can confirm when a tornado is present-and help meteorologists warn nearby towns. Whenever severe weather threatens, storm chasers hit the road to hunt for tornadoes, hurricanes, or violent storms. Some drive thousands of miles in just a few days as they follow a...