rahulporuri's review against another edition

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5.0

I am an amateur astronomer and even i had misconceptions that were cleared up by this book! A highly recommended read for anyone interested in science, astronomy and science communication.

crowyhead's review against another edition

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4.0

Phil Plait runs the excellent (and fun) Bad Astronomy blog. This book is a collection and expansion of some of his earlier articles, including chapters on the "NASA faked the moon landing" conspiracy theory, how to explain to a young child why the sky is blue, and why those companies that offer to name a star after you (for a fee) are bunk. It's a good, fast read, and even if you consider yourself well-informed in terms of astronomy and science, you'll probably learn a few things. I certainly did.

elizabethk_reads's review against another edition

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5.0

Wonderful. Factual and entertaining.

nooker's review against another edition

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4.0

Was glad to hear how many I knew already and glad to hear the arguments put into clear language, but rather dismayed as to how many anti-science arguments are out there.

ireadthebooks's review against another edition

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3.0

Pretty good. Some sections were dry and there were parts I did not enjoy. There were some astronomy myths that I sadly had thought were real (eggs standing on end ONLY during the spring equinox - which in fact can be done anytime if you are patient and possess a steady hand). Enjoyable read for an amateur astronomy nerd like me!

northern_gail's review against another edition

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5.0

Wonderful. Factual and entertaining.

remocpi's review against another edition

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5.0

Este libro es directamente fantástico. Es como Malaciencia, pero aplicado únicamente a la astronomía, al Espacio y a alguna cosa más. El autor es humilde y a la vez mordaz, y no deja títere con cabeza cuando se pone a analizar uno por uno bastantes mitos sobre la ciencia. El estilo es simple, claro y conciso. Me encanta. Un breve resumen de los temas que trata seguro que les hace la boca agua:

- Huevos que se sostienen solos durante el equinoccio
- El efecto Coriolis y hacia dónde gira el agua en los lavabos
- MalaCiencia en el lenguaje cotidiano
- Por qué el cielo es azul
- Por qué hay estaciones (no es por la distancia al Sol, auqnue ésta influye un poquito en las temperaturas diferentes entre hemisferios)
- Las fases de la luna
- Las mareas
- Por qué la luna parece más grande cuando está cerca del horizonte
- Por qué las estrellas titilan
- Los colores de las estrellas
- Por qué las estrellas no se ven de día
- La estrella Polar no es la más brillante
- ¡No mires al sol durante un eclipse!
- Meteoritos, meteoros y meteoroides
- El origen del Universo
- Sí llegamos a la Luna
- Las paranoias de Velikovsky
- Creacionismo y astronomía
- Ovnis
- Marte está en la séptima casa pero Venus se ha largado del edificio. Por qué la astrología no funciona.
- Creencias sobre el telescopio Hubble
- Sobre las empresas que bautizan estrellas a cambio de un módico precio
- Los diez peores ejemplos de MalaCiencia en el cine

Todos y cada uno de los capítulos son estupendos. Éste es un libro que penso regalar a mucha gente. Imprescindible.

kaylana's review against another edition

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4.0

Excellent astronomy book. Plait really gets down and explains the bad science that is propagated in society today and why it's wrong. I learned (well still learning) about the phases of the moon, Earth's seasons, how stars are named, and why the moon landing is NOT a hoax. Great stuff! I highly recommend it for everyone.

rgombert's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a good book. Written very well with lots of information and some humor.
I found some parts of it somewhat tiring because I was already familiar with the subject (and found it hard to believe that there are people who are not).