Illustrated Space Books for NASA’s Birthday

Happy 60th birthday, NASA! Naturally, every pop science book publisher wants to publish their outer space books in October this year to coincide with the day (October 1, 1958) NASA first became operational. A large majority of these new publications are beautiful illustrated books. Can you believe all these books are coming out in the same month? There are books from NASA, an astronaut, the Smithsonian archive, the Planetary Society, historians, astrophysicists, and more. Decisions, decisions. Let’s look at the new books coming out in October:

The Sun: NASA Images from Space

Taken from Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Mission instruments in conjunction with other various instruments such as those on the Mars Rover, this collection of photographs shows the beauty, with over 130 incredible details, of our Sun taken from space. (October 15, Amherst Media) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

Space Stations: The Art, Science, and Reality of Working in Space

Written by NASA mission manager Gary Kitmacher and space historian Robert Pearlman, with illustrations by Ron Miller, Space Stations is a rich visual history of real and fictional space stations, illustrating pop culture’s influence on the development of actual space stations and vice versa. (October 30, Smithsonian Books) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

Infinite Wonder: An Astronaut’s Photographs from a Year in Space

A breathtaking collection of photographs documenting record-breaking astronaut Scott Kelly’s journey on the International Space Station, the vastness of space, and the unparalleled beauty of our home planet. (October 30, Knopf) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

Apollo to the Moon: A History in 50 Objects

From Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum’s curator Teasel E. Muir-Harmony, these bold photographs, fascinating graphics, and engaging stories commemorate the 20th century’s most important space endeavor: NASA’s Apollo program to reach the moon. From the lunar rover and a survival kit to space food and moon rocks, it’s a carefully curated array of objects–complete with intriguing back stories and profiles of key participants. (October 30, National Geographic) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

Moon: The art, science and culture of the moon

From astronomer Robert Massey and art historian Alexandra Loske, this original and diverting account of humanity’s endless fascination with our closest cosmic neighbor intertwines artistic, religious, and political interpretations with critical scientific study and observation. (October 2, Ilex Press) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

Mission Moon 3-D: A New Perspective on the Space Race

From David J. Eicher and Brian May, this book recounts the story of the lunar landing and the events that led up to it, told in text and visually stunning 3D images. (October 23, MIT Press) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

Mars: The Traveller’s Guide

The Traveller’s Guide book series takes readers on a tour of every former of time, space, and the imagination. One day soon, humans will travel to Mars. Written by journalist Colin Stuart, this fun book gives you everything you need to do to prepare for your trip to the red planet: things to do, places to visit, what not to miss, favorite excursions, and more. (October 1, Palazzo Editions) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future

From space historian Roger D. Launius, The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration is the first in-depth, fully illustrated history of global space discovery and exploration from ancient times to the modern era. (October 23, Smithsonian Books) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

One of Ten Billion Earths: How we Learn about our Planet’s Past and Future from Distant Exoplanets

Written by astrophysicist Karel Schrijver and illustrated with breathtaking images of the Solar System and of the Universe around it, this book explores how the discoveries within the Solar System and of exoplanets far beyond it come together to help us understand the habitability of Earth, and how these findings guide the search for exoplanets that could support life. (October 2, Oxford University Press) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

Space is Cool as Fuck

Sweary book alert. Assembled by the Planetary Society’s Kate Howells and including an interview with Bill Nye, this book features more than 100 wild artworks, photographs and illustrations from 40 international young artists curated by Brooklyn designer Cynthia Larenas. Everything you thought you could never understand about the universe is explained in plain-old filthy English, giving you a little taste of the glorious reality you inhabit. Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

The Universe Today Ultimate Guide to Viewing The Cosmos: Everything You Need to Know to Become an Amateur Astronomer

Earth science teacher David Dickinson has put together the definitive resource for viewing the night sky: the best tips and tricks for viewing our solar system and deep sky objects, as well as detailed charts, graphs and tables to find must-see events for years to come. (October 23, Page Street Publishing) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

Space Atlas (Second Edition): Mapping the Universe and Beyond

From physics professor James Trefil, Space Atlas combines updated maps, lavish photographs, and elegant illustrations to chart the solar system, the universe, and beyond. For space enthusiasts, science lovers, and star gazers, here is the newly revised edition of National Geographic’s enduring guide to space, with a new introduction by American hero Buzz Aldrin. (October 23, National Geographic) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

The Space Book (Revised and Updated): From the Beginning to the End of Time, 250 Milestones in the History of Space & Astronomy

A revised and updated edition of The Space Book (2013), this edition, with a new introduction from author Jim Bell, brings the popular Milestones book up to date. It includes the most exciting and newsworthy breakthroughs, from the groundbreaking discovery of the Trappist-1 system to the technologies of the future. (October 16, Sterling) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.

What Shape Is Space?: A Primer for the 21st Century

From Giles Sparrow and The Big Idea series, What Shape Is Space? explores four key topics: “Mapping Space,” featuring the evidence that favors the expanding and infinite universe theory; “The Expanding Universe,” which examines the rate at which the cosmos is expanding; “The Omega Factor,” which explores the possibilities for different types of hypothetically infinite universes; and “The Shape of the Multiverse,” which analyzes the effect of each possible shape on the likely future of the universe. (October 16, Thames & Hudson) Order a copy from an indie bookstore near you.