Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 1973
WEBSITE: http://www.markthompsonastronomy.com/
CITY: Norfolk, England
STATE:
COUNTRY: United Kingdom
NATIONALITY: British
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Thompson_(astronomer) *
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: no2013023151
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/no2013023151
HEADING: Thompson, Mark (Astronomer)
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100 1_ |a Thompson, Mark |c (Astronomer)
370 __ |a Norfolk, England |c Great Britain
372 __ |a Astronomy |a Cosmology |2 lcsh
373 __ |a Norwich Astronomical Society
373 __ |a Royal Astronomical Society |2 naf
374 __ |a Astronomers |2 lcsh
375 __ |a male
377 __ |a eng
670 __ |a A down to earth guide to the cosmos, 2013 : |b t.p. (Mark Thompson) jkt. (one of the presenters on the BBC One award-nominated show Stargazing live, resident astronomer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh show and a regular on Radio Five Live. writes for a number of websites including Discovery News’ Space pages and the Space Exploration Network)
670 __ |a His website, 1 March 2013 : |b (President of Norwich Astronomical Society, on the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society) |u http://www.markthompsonastronomy.com/about-mark-thompson/
PERSONAL
Born 1973, in Norfolk, East Anglia, England.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and television presenter. BBC, The One Show, 2009-11, presenter, Stargazing Live, presenter, 2011-16; Radio Five Live, presenter, “Monthly Night Sky” segment, 2012-; Discover Space website, columnist, 2010-; The Alan Titchmarsh Show, specialist presenter, 2012-14, Has appeared on The Wright Stuff, Celebrity Mastermind, and This Morning.
MEMBER:Royal Astronomical Society, Norwich Astronomical Society.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Television personality and writer Mark Thompson found his love for astronomy as a child. As he describes it on his website: “I was ten years old when I first looked through a telescope. I saw Saturn through a 25cm reflecting telescope at the Norwich Astronomical Society and that moment, that very moment set me on a fascinating journey of discovery that I still enjoy today.” Thompson has earned the title “Peoples’ Astronomer” mainly through his work on television. He is a presenter for the popular BBC show Stargazing Live and has also appeared on The Alan Titchmarsh Show. He also covers astronomy for Radio Five Live’s “Monthly Night Sky” segment.
Thompson has written three books on astronomy for the layperson: A Down to Earth Guide to the Cosmos, Astrophotography: The Essential Guide to Photographing the Night Sky, and A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System. In A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System Thompson imagines being able to tour the solar system.
Harold D. Shane, critic in Library Journal, found this “imagined spaceship trip around our cosmic neighborhood” to be “excellent” and thought that it would please a “large readership.” In Booklist, Chad Comello called A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System a “substantive primer . . . for novice stargazers” that “will intrigue anyone who dreams of exploring the final frontier.” A Publishers Weekly contributor thought that the author’s “clear explanations and effusive delivery make this book a perfect companion for armchair voyagers.” A correspondent in Kirkus Reviews Online noted the “appealing prose and useful details” from a “knowledgeable and capable guide” but believed the book “could have been more fully fleshed out.” In the New York Times Online, Sam Kean reported that this “hypothetical 50-year, multibillion-mile rocket tour . . . highlights some overlooked gems.” While the author can become “mired in details,” he remarked, “once we’re off and sailing, he steers readers on a heavenly course.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, October 15, 2016, Chad Comello, review of A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System, p. 6.
Library Journal, November 15, 2016, Harold D. Shane, review of A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System, p. 106.
Publishers Weekly, September 12, 2016, review of A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System, p. 45.
ONLINE
Kirkus Reviews Online, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/ (September 1, 2016), review of A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System.
Mark Thompson Website, http://www.markthompsonastronomy.com (June 25, 2017).
New York Times Online, https://www.nytimes.com/ (November 25, 2016), Sam Kean, review of A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System.
Pegasus Books Website, http://pegasusbooks.com/ (June 26, 2017), description of A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System.*
Mark Thompson (astronomer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mark Thompson
Born Mark Thompson
1973 (age 43–44)
Norfolk, England
Occupation Astronomer, television presenter, writer
Mark Thompson (born 1973, Norfolk, England)[1] is a British astronomer, television presenter and writer best known for being one of the presenting team on the BBC show Stargazing Live and is a regular face on The Alan Titchmarsh Show. He has been called the "Peoples' Astronomer".[2]
Contents [hide]
1 Biography
2 TV/Radio Appearances
3 Written Work
4 References
5 External links
Biography[edit]
Thompson has lived in Norfolk all his life and was first enthused about astronomy aged 10 when he saw the rings of Saturn through a telescope.[3] He has remained living in the county because the night skies are very dark and ideal for stargazing.[3]
Thompson had given up his ambition to present on TV and had retrained as a pilot when (in 2009) he was picked to become a presenter on the BBC's The One Show.[4]
Thompson was the first amateur astronomer to become a council member of the Royal Astronomical Society.[4] He is President of the Norwich Astronomical Society.[3] (In fact Mark was not the first amateur astronomer to become a council member of the RAS. Since it was founded in 1820 as the Astronomical Society of London (receiving its Royal Charter in 1830 from King William IV) it has had many amateurs on its council, including many of its founding members (of the original 12 founding members in 1820, 11 were amateurs, including the Sir John Herschel, the son of William). Nigel Calder and Anthony Kinder, both amateurs, were members of the council in 2001-2004.)
He is most well known for his role as one of the presenting team of the hit BBC science show Stargazing Live.
As of February 2017 Thompson had 76,822 followers on Twitter.[5]
TV/Radio Appearances[edit]
Presenter of astronomy/science items for The One Show Jul 2009 to Oct 2011
Presenter of Stargazing Live Jan 2011 to present[6]
Specialist Presenter on the Alan Titchmarsh Show Jan 2012 to 2014[7]
Guest on The Wright Stuff 12 Jan 2012
Monthly Night Sky segment on Radio Five Live Jan 2012 to present
Derren Brown's Apocalypse episode 1 in Oct 2012[8]
Celebrity Mastermind Contestant 5 Jan 2013[9]
Regular guest on This Morning (TV programme) March 2014 to present day.
Written Work[edit]
Columnist for Discovery Space Jul 2010 to present[10]
Writer for Space Exploration Network Jul 2011 to 2012 [11]
'A Down to Earth Guide to the Cosmos' ISBN 978-0593070369 [4]
'A Space Travellers Guide to the Solar System' ISBN 978-0593073339
'Philips Stargazing with Mark Thompson' ISBN 978-1849073134
'Philips Astrophotography with Mark Thompson' ISBN 978-1849073141
References[edit]
Jump up ^
Biography
As a presenter on the RTS nominated BBC Stargazing LIVE (alongside Professor Brian Cox and Dara O Briain) Mark Thompson has helped inspire 4 million viewers to get out and enjoy the night sky. A specialist presenter on ITV's This Morning and Radio Five Live, Mark has also been a key contributor to the BBC Sky at Night, The Alan Titchmarsh Show and The Culture Show. He has written a number of books for Philip's, including Philip's Stargazing With Mark Thompson and Philip's Astrophotography With Mark Thompson, and his articles can regularly be found in Astronomy Now, Discovery News and Sen.
Born in Norfolk, Mark has had a fascination with the sky ever since he was a small boy. At the age of 10 he got his first view through a telescope of Saturn, rings and all, hanging there against a velvet black sky. It was for real, not a picture in a book – another world billions of miles away. This ignited a passion that has stayed with him ever since. Over the last 20 years Mark has lectured on a vast array of astronomical subjects, from the Moon to black holes and the end of the Universe. His research interests have chiefly centred on deep space, the study of stars exploding at the end of their lives and distant galaxies believed to host supermassive black holes.
Mark's enthusiastic outreach work has led him to serving on the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society and speaking at a number of national events including the National Astronomy Meeting. Find him on Twitter @PeoplesAstro
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Print Marked Items
Thompson, Mark. A Space Traveler's Guide to
the Solar System
Harold D. Shane
Library Journal.
141.19 (Nov. 15, 2016): p106.
COPYRIGHT 2016 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution
permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
* Thompson, Mark. A Space Traveler's Guide to the Solar System. Pegasus. Nov. 2016.272p. index. ISBN
9781681772394. $27.95; ebk. ISBN 9781681772837. SCI
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Astronomer Thompson takes us on an imagined spaceship trip around our cosmic neighborhood, describing how such a
voyage could be planned using only the technology that exists today. As readers visit the sun, its planets and their
satellites, and the assorted other objects that orbit it, they learn what it would be like if humans could descend to the
surface of each in turn. Whereas a few decades ago, knowledge of these areas was discerned using earthbound
telescopes, today, observations by the Hubble telescope, space probe flybys, and the numbercrunching capabilities of
modern computers used to analyze mountains of data have vastly expanded our understanding. In particular, the book
discusses the new theories of planetary formation and the discovery of systems around other stars. It offers suggestions
of places where life has evolved and describes locations that could be colonized by humans in the future. Thompson
further points out certain mysterious structures yet to be identified and offers possible explanations. VERDICT This
excellent title should find a large readership among laypeople interested in astronomy and planetary science.Harold D.
Shane, Mathematics Emeritus, Baruch Coll. Lib., CUNY
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Shane, Harold D. "Thompson, Mark. A Space Traveler's Guide to the Solar System." Library Journal, 15 Nov. 2016, p.
106+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA470367271&it=r&asid=ce8781ae9b0ae1db97702a4d1592e71e.
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A Space Traveler's Guide to the Solar System
Chad Comello
Booklist.
113.4 (Oct. 15, 2016): p6.
COPYRIGHT 2016 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
A Space Traveler's Guide to the Solar System. By Mark Thompson. Nov. 2016. 272p. Pegasus, $27.95
(9781681772394). 523.2.
Thompson (A Down to Earth Guide to the Cosmos, 2013), a presenter on Britain's Stargazing Live known as the
Peoples Astronomer, leads this detailed tour for wouldbe space travelers. Writing in secondperson singular, Thompson
employs a fictional "gravity simulator" and "Reality Suspension Unit" to allow readers to break the laws of physics and
explore otherwise inhospitable planets for the sake of astronomical adventure. From the "InHospitality Suite" of
Mercury and Venus to the "Icy Outposts" of Uranus and Neptune, Thompson profiles the major planets and celestial
bodies in our solar system (sorry, Pluto), considering their atmospheres, chemical makeups, and potential (or lack
thereof) for fostering life. He also ponders the practical challenges of longterm spaceflight, such as how to counteract
gravity's effects on the body, how to maintain proper hygiene, and how to combat loneliness in the dark abyss of outer
space. A substantive primer on our cosmic neighborhood, the book is better for novice stargazers and a general
audience than for NASA nuts but will intrigue anyone who dreams of exploring the final frontier.Chad Comello
Comello, Chad
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Comello, Chad. "A Space Traveler's Guide to the Solar System." Booklist, 15 Oct. 2016, p. 6. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA468771163&it=r&asid=1b0d6bf2e1c9d6d0dc4981b9b75cf762.
Accessed 10 June 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A468771163
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A Space Traveler's Guide to the Solar System
Publishers Weekly.
263.37 (Sept. 12, 2016): p45.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
A Space Traveler's Guide to the Solar System
Mark Thompson. Pegasus, $27.95 (272p) ISBN 9781681772394
"Departure from Earth is an emotional experience," writes British astronomer Thompson as he leads a tour from the sun
to the Oort Cloud, visiting each of the planets in turn. Beginning with a careful planning of routes, Thompson tackles
the ins and outs of constructing a ship that will be protected from meteorites, solar flares, and cosmic rays. For each
celestial object he visits, he presents a history of humans' understanding of it along with what is known of its physical
makeup. Thompson allows readers to imagine walking on planetary and lunar surfaces using his "Reality Suspension
Unit," though he discourages travelers from exploring the gas giants, which lack hard surfaces. Interesting factoids
abound: Mars takes its red hue from the powdered rust coating its surface, and water tanks can be refilled on the Jovian
moon Europa. Thompson also considers the psychological effects of years in space, the emotional need for fresh food,
and how to have sex in zero gravity. Images of scenic wonders, including the ammonia volcanos of Titan with their
closeup view of Saturn's rings, make one long for a means of interplanetary travel. Thompson's clear explanations and
effusive delivery make this book a perfect companion for armchair voyagers. (Nov.)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"A Space Traveler's Guide to the Solar System." Publishers Weekly, 12 Sept. 2016, p. 45. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA464046280&it=r&asid=983b79b71027a0b3209bebd364f086de.
Accessed 10 June 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A464046280
A SPACE TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO THE SOLAR SYSTEM
by Mark Thompson
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KIRKUS REVIEW
The popular host of the BBC's award-winning Stargazing Live takes readers on an imaginary journey throughout our solar system.
Although many elements of such a trip are not yet possible, Thompson (A Down to Earth Guide to the Cosmos, 2013, etc.) makes it believable enough. First, as the author notes, traveling toward Mercury and Venus is relatively easy because the sun's gravitational pull would provide assistance. Journeying to the outer planets such as Neptune and Pluto is, of course, more difficult. Fortunately, an advanced propulsion system, the newly developed “Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket,” could do the job. Thompson explores the latest thinking about the origins of the moon and planets—e.g., the idea that our moon was created out of debris when “a large object about the size of Mars [may have] struck earth around 4.5 billion years ago.” A serious problem that voyagers would face is shielding themselves from cosmic radiation, which has been experienced by astronauts who report “seeing flashes of white,” a phenomenon currently attributed to “cosmic rays passing through their heads.” Growing food, disposing of waste, exercise, recreation, and even intimate relations would need to be factored in to planning such a lengthy trip. Another necessity would be replicating gravity. A tempting stopover might be Jupiter's moon, Titan, which appears to be “similar to Earth when it was in a more primitive state.” Thompson claims that it could support “primitive alien life, and he discusses the 1972 “ ‘flotilla’ of unmanned space ships that…already visited the outer Solar System” and relayed information back to Earth. It is this data that informs Thompson’s speculations, many of which are intriguing. Unfortunately, the author is writing about a well-mined subject. Despite his mostly appealing prose and useful details, the book, which could have been more fully fleshed out, suffers in comparison to Julian Guthrie’s recent How to Make a Spaceship (2016).
Thompson is a knowledgeable and capable guide, but his many fans may prefer to stick to his TV shows.
Pub Date: Nov. 8th, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-68177-239-4
Page count: 272pp
Publisher: Pegasus
Review Posted Online: Aug. 24th, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1st, 2016
A SPACE TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO THE SOLAR SYSTEM
By Mark Thompson
257 pp. Pegasus, $27.95.
Photo
Astronauts typically spend weeks at most in space and reach altitudes of just a few hundred miles. In “A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System,” Thompson, an astronomer, takes readers on a grander journey — a hypothetical 50-year, multibillion-mile rocket tour of every planetoid and moon between the sun and Pluto.
Like any good guidebook, this one highlights some overlooked gems in our neck of the cosmos. Mercury rotates so slowly that the sun often appears to stop in the sky and reverse course. The weather on Uranus might include “diamond rain” that collects in a “diamond ocean.” Even overrated sites will still wow you. Mars’s Olympus Mons — the “tallest volcano in the solar system,” a mountain the size of Arizona — is actually too big to appreciate with the naked eye. It slopes upward so gradually that it curves beyond the horizon, and you can’t see the summit from the base.
Thompson also includes several nice asides about the biology and psychology of long-term spaceflight, including aspects of sex in zero gravity. We might titter over details like the proposed 2Suit, which would prevent couples in the million-mile-high club from floating apart. But we do need to research coitus in outer space if we hope to colonize distant planets someday.
Especially at the beginning, “A Space Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System” sometimes gets mired in details. You can’t fault Thompson’s enthusiasm for propulsion systems and axes of rotation — he loves geeking out — but these passages lack immediacy. Still, once we’re off and sailing, he steers readers on a heavenly course.