In 2005, thanks to Michael Brown’s scientific antics, Pluto was removed from the list of planets in the solar system. In 1968, the Apollo 8 mission flew around the moon. In 2001, Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian to go into outer space. All this seemed impossible at the time. However, nothing is impossible if you work patiently daily, year after year, to make your dream come true. On the Z lib platform, you can read three books about space that will make you fall in love with it and inspire you never to give up.
Mike Brown, “How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming”
Pluto was the ninth planet in the solar system for 75 years. Everything changed in 2005, when the International Astronomical Union downgraded it to the status of a dwarf planet, which it has always been. This happened thanks to the scientific antics of the astronomer Mike Brown. A few years before this landmark event, he suggested that there was another planet beyond Pluto and began an exhausting search. As it turned out later, not even one, but all of them – Eris, Makemake, Haumea – are also dwarfs.
Why was this event significant? The scientific murder of Pluto changed our understanding of the solar system and the planet. After all, you can’t include all more or less large celestial objects into the solar system, where order should reign.
In this book, Brown humorously describes his path from a respectable scientist, husband, and father to a killer scientist and the initiator of cosmic chaos. The author is a first-class astronomer and an engaging storyteller who, by his example, inspires you never to give up on the dream you cherish.
Chris Hadfield “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth”
When Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the Moon, the latter ceased to be a distant, unknown body. On that July evening in 1969, fascinated by what he saw, nine-year-old Chris Hadfield realized he wanted to become an astronaut. The boy understood that his chances were few, but this did not stop him. He began to study more conscientiously. He signed up for additional courses, where he learned to think analytically and more critically, to ask questions, to look for answers. Such a conscious complication of his own life made him happy.
In “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth”, Chris fascinatingly talks about a dream that became a reality, because the impossible becomes possible if you make an effort. Yes, he became the first Canadian to go into outer space. He spent a total of more than 4,000 hours in space.
Jeffrey Kluger “Apollo 8: The Thrilling Story of the First Mission to the Moon”
In December 1968, three astronauts entered lunar orbit for the first time in human history. They were Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders – the “Apollo 8” crew. They had sixteen weeks to prepare for the mission, which would begin a new era of space exploration.
The mission “Apollo 8” was important but, at the same time, risky. The astronauts had to check all the systems for landing in lunar orbit and test the conditions of staying there. To check and test at the cost of their own lives because no one knew for sure whether they would return to Earth – the chances were fifty to fifty.
This book was written by journalist Jeffrey Kluger and is based on flight transcripts, NASA documents, and numerous interviews with astronauts. After reading it, you will learn about the lives, aspirations, and dreams of people who did the impossible – flew around the Moon when it seemed unbelievable.
