Arguably the most dramatic scientific book ever published, Galileo Galilei’s Sidereus Nuncius announced new and unexpected phenomena in the heavens, “unheard of through the ages,” revealed by a mysterious new instrument. 

An innovative exploration of the development of a revolutionary optical device and how it changed the world.

“One of the most fascinating stories in the history of science.” —Mark Archer, The Wall Street Journal

On Sunspots displays the public debate between Galileo and Christoph Scheiner on the nature of sunspots, including the first English translation of Scheiner’s two tracts as well as Galileo’s three letters, which have previously appeared only in abridged form.

“[This volume] will be essential to historians interested in the development and use of the telescope and in religion of that period. Highly recommended.” —Choice

In a uniquely lively account of NASA’s Phoenix Mars project, a civilian space enthusiast goes inside mission control with a motley crew of rocket scientists, and shares the story in “a fascinating journey of discovery peppered with humor” (Publishers Weekly).