A fascinating, ground-level backstage pass to the creation, launch, and reach of the James Webb Space Telescope.\nNASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the world’s largest orbiting astronomy observatory, is now nearly a million miles from Earth, probing the first stars and galaxies, documenting the structure and evolution of the universe, and searching for signs of life in other solar systems. In a series of extraordinary photographs, Inside the Star Factory tells the story of the Webb Telescope from conception to launch—a marvel of ingenuity and engineering that entailed more than 100 million people hours over a span of thirty years.\nThe project’s lead photographer Chris Gunn was there from the start, documenting the Webb’s tumultuous history—the behind-the-scenes details of its construction, from the cutting-edge technology required for an observatory operating at temperatures as low as –370°F, beyond reach for repair, to the human story of an engineering team pursuing an unprecedented goal under incomparable pressure. Derided as the “telescope that ate astronomy,” billions of dollars over budget, ten years over schedule, nearly canceled twice, Webb was simply too big to fail.\nAccompanied by science writer Christopher Wanjek’s overview of the Webb’s history and profiles of the scientists and engineers who built it, this exclusive illustrated guide shows readers the heady world of scientific discovery at the very limits of human knowledge—and the very beginning of space and time.

Inside the Star Factory: The Creation of the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA's Largest and Most Powerful Space Observatory

Arts & Photography

Gunn, Chris

Wanjek, Christopher

Photography & Video

The MIT Press

"Christopher Wanjek uses a take-no-prisoners approach in debunkingthe outrageous nonsense being heaped on a gullible public in thename of science and medicine. Wanjek writes with clarity, humor,and humanity, and simultaneously informs and entertains." -Dr. Michael Shermer, Publisher, Skeptic magazine; monthlycolumnist, Scientific American; author of Why People Believe WeirdThings Prehistoric humans believed cedar ashes and incantations could curea head injury. Ancient Egyptians believed the heart was the centerof thought, the liver produced blood, and the brain cooled thebody. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates was a big fan ofbloodletting. Today, we are still plagued by countless medicalmyths and misconceptions. Bad Medicine sets the record straight bydebunking widely held yet incorrect notions of how the body works,from cold cures to vaccination fears. Clear, accessible, and highly entertaining, Bad Medicine dispelssuch medical convictions as: * You only use 10% of your brain: CAT, PET, and MRI scans all provethat there are no inactive regions of the brain . . . not evenduring sleep. * Sitting too close to the TV causes nearsightedness: Your motherwas wrong. Most likely, an already nearsighted child sits close tosee better. * Eating junk food will make your face break out: Acne is caused bydead skin cells, hormones, and bacteria, not from a pizza witheverything on it. * If you don't dress warmly, you'll catch a cold: Cold viruses arethe true and only cause of colds. Protect yourself and the ones you love from bad medicine-the brainyou save may be your own.

Bad Medicine: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Distance Healing to Vitamin O

Science & Math

Astronomy & Space Science

wiley

A Telegraph Best Science Book of the Year "Nerdily engaging (and often funny) Technology and science fiction enthusiasts will find much here to delight them [Wanjek] is a sensible skeptic, yet also convinced that, in the long run, our destiny is among the stars." -The Guardian "Adds an important perspective to the conversation about our future in space." -Science "If the events of this year have had you daydreaming about abandoning the planet entirely, [Spacefarers] is a geekily pleasurable survey of the practicalities and challenges." -The Telegraph It's been over fifty years since Apollo 11 landed on the moon. So why is there so little human presence in space? Will we ever reach Mars? And what will it take to become a multiplanet species, colonizing the solar system and traveling to other stars? While many books have speculated on the possibility of living beyond the Earth, few have delved into the practical challenges or plausible motives for leaving the safe confines of our home planet. Spacefarers introduces us to the engineers, scientists, planners, dreamers, and entrepreneurs who are striving right now to make life in space a reality. While private companies such as SpaceX are taking the lead and earning profits from human space activity, Christopher Wanjek is convinced this is only the beginning. He predicts we will have hotels in low-earth orbit, mining and tourism on the Moon, and science bases on Mars-possibly followed (gravity permitting) by full blown settlements.

Spacefarers: How Humans Will Settle the Moon, Mars, and Beyond

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Harvard University Press

A wry and compelling take on the who, how, and why of near-future colonies in space. From bone-whittling microgravity to eye-popping profits, the risks and rewards of space settlement have never been so close at hand. More than fifty years after the Apollo 11 moon landing, why is there so little human presence in space? Will we ever reach Mars? What will it take to become a multiplanet species, colonizing the solar system and traveling to other stars? Spacefarers meets these questions head on. While many books have speculated on the possibility of living beyond the Earth, few have delved into the practical challenges or plausible motives for leaving the safe confines of our home planet. Christopher Wanjek argues that there is little doubt we will be returning to the Moon and exploring Mars in the coming decades, given the potential scientific and commercial bonanza. Private industry is already taking a leading role and earning profits from human space activity. This can be, Wanjek suggests, a sustainable venture and a natural extension of earthbound science, business, and leisure. He envisions hotels in low-earth orbit and mining, tourism, and science on the Moon. He also proposes the slow, steady development of science bases on Mars, to be followed by settlements if Martian gravity will permit reproduction and healthy child development. An appetite for wonder will take us far, but if we really want to settle new worlds, we'll need the earnest plans of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Wanjek introduces us to those planners, who are striving right now to make life in space a reality.

Good nutrition is the foundation of workplace productivity and safety. It is well documented that unhealthy foods can lead to obesity and chronic diseases, while macro- and micronutrient deficiencies can cause malnutrition. In both these instances the effects are detrimental to a strong, well-equipped workforce. This comprehensive volume establishes a clear link between good nutrition and high productivity. It demonstrates that ensuring that workers have access to nutritious, safe and affordable food, an adequate meal break, and decent conditions for eating is not only socially important and economically viable but a profitable business practice, too. Food at Work sets out key points for designing a meal program, presenting a multitude of "food solutions" including canteens, meal or food vouchers, mess rooms and kitchenettes, and partnerships with local vendors. Through case studies from a variety of enterprises in twenty-eight industrialized and developing countries, the book offers valuable practical food solutions that can be adapted to workplaces of different sizes and with different budgets. It also addresses an often-overlooked issue in nutrition, access to clean drinking water. Relevant laws, regulations, and guides pertaining to meal breaks and workplace nutrition are also highlighted in this volume, and an extensive section containing checklists and other useful resources for unions, employers, and governments is included.

Food at Work: Workplace Solutions for Malnutrition, Obesity and Chronic Diseases

Medical Books

Administration & Medicine Economics

International Labor Office

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Books by Wanjek, Christopher