'An exhilarating exploration of how we've been touched by the cosmos across human history'
LEWIS DARTNELL 'Combines scientific expertise with vivid storytelling and a childlike wonder
that shines on every page' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT What draws us to the night sky and how
can we make sense of all that lies there? In this unique synthesis of science and culture
former astrophysicist and writer Joanne Baker charts the global history of humanity's
relationship with the cosmos. Starting with the nearby Moon before venturing through the solar
system to the stars and beyond she unveils a rich mosaic of stories and research that
illuminate the significance of celestial bodies in our everyday lives. It is a history that
transcends borders and cultural traditions taking us from Mesopotamian moon worship to the
science fiction of H. G. Wells and the discovery of black holes . Driven by a personal quest to
understand the universe as more than just an abstract mathematical realm Baker also includes
her own sparkling first-hand experiences - from watching a total solar eclipse in Idaho to
visiting an ancient observatory in Samarkand. Starwatchers invites readers on an
extraordinary journey through space that interrogates the boundaries of our earthly existence
and encourages us to reflect on how we project meaning onto the skies.
