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Latest stories and news
24 April 2008
The Sun Kings Longlisted for the Royal Society Science Book PrizesIt is with enormous pleasure that I can report that The Sun Kings has been longlisted by the Royal Society for their science book prizes 2008. The longlist contains 12 books and I am humbled to be in company of so many excellent authors.
About The Sun Kings, the judges said: "A wonderful historical biography. This 19th century melodrama gets you straight into the science of sun spots. It has everything great characters, knives, guns and illicit relationships!"
About the longlist in general, Professor Jonathan Ashmore, Chair of the judges said: "We found it very hard to choose just twelve books. None of us had realised how many eligible titles had been published over the past year. The range of styles and topics was truly astonishing. It was both fascinating and exciting to be surrounded by the most recently published science books, in some cases almost hot off the press. The books we have selected for the longlist reflect, we think, the high standard of the entries."
To read the Royal Society’s full announcement of the longlist click here:
21 April 2008
Deep Space: “jaw-dropping images”
Astronomy Now magazine has positively reviewed my new book, Deep Space, published by Quercus Books. Assistant Editor Kulvinder Singh Chadha says, “Deep Space is more than just a picture book. Contrary to what tended to be the case in the past, the text isn’t just tacked on as an afterthought. It is integral to understanding what is going on in the images. Clark respects the reader, and explains the important aspects of cosmology and space science in detailed yet succinct terms. …”
You can read the full review in the May 2008 issue of Astronomy Now.
18 April 2008
Solar flares set the Sun quaking
I have another new story published by ESA:
“Data from the ESA/NASA spacecraft SOHO shows clearly that powerful starquakes ripple around the Sun in the wake of mighty solar flares that explode above its surface. The observations give solar physicists new insight into a long-running solar mystery and may even provide a way of studying other stars. …”
Read the full story for free here
17 April 2008
Planetary radars come of age
I have a pair of related stories published over at ESA. The first is:
Mars radar opens up a planet’s third dimension
ESA’s Mars Express radar sounder, MARSIS, has looked beneath the Martian surface and opened up the third dimension for planetary exploration. The technique’s success is prompting scientists to think of all the other places in the Solar System where they would like to use radar sounders. …”
To read the full story click here
The second looks more at the technology:
From Mars to the Earth: Studying ice beneath the surface
“A technique being used by the European Space Agency at Mars could prove invaluable for studying the stability of Antarctic ice sheets here on Earth. In preparation, a new ESA study is seeking to refine the radar method for use on our planet. …”
To read the full story click here
13 April 2008
The Sun Kings on The Naked Scientists
I had the pleasure of spending this afternoon at the BBC Radio Cambridge studios with The Naked Scientists (why do you think they have to do it on radio?). We talked about solar flares and The Sun Kings, along with Chris Davis from The Rutherford Appleton Laboratories.
You can read a transcript of the interview or listen to it online here
7 April 2008
Cosmic engines surprise XMM-Newton
I have a new story published by ESA.
“XMM-Newton has been surprised by a rare type of galaxy, from which it has detected a higher number of X-rays than thought possible. The observation gives new insight into the powerful processes shaping galaxies during their formation and evolution. …”
You can read the full story for free here
4 April 2008
Venus Express reboots the search for active volcanoes on Venus
I have a new story published over at ESA:
“ESA’s Venus Express has measured a highly variable quantity of the volcanic gas sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere of Venus. Scientists must now decide whether this is evidence for active volcanoes on Venus, or linked to a hitherto unknown mechanism affecting the upper atmosphere. …”
Read the story here for free.
30 March 2008
The War of The Worlds at the Minack Theatre, Cornwall
As those of you who follow this website know, I often play guitar with local theatre groups. At the beginning of September I will be playing lead guitar in the Hertfordshire Players’ presentation of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds at the Minack Theatre, Cornwall.
You can find the dates of the performances here
27 March 2008
Sorry things have been quiet
I haven’t been posting much on here just recently because I’ve been working on some larger projects instead of the smaller web-based stories. These include new book projects and television shows. I can’t say anything about them at the moment but stay tuned – it looks as though I can make the first big announcement soon!
23 March 2008
The Maverick Meteorologist
I have a new feature article in BBC Focus’s April issue.
“Meet Piers Corbyn, the man who says he can out-forecast the Met Office’s supercomputers. He’s won a tidy sum by placing bets on the weather but his radical ideas on forecasting have received a rather frosty reception from meteorologists. Stuart Clark sheds some light on his unusual system.”
Read the full story in the April 2008 issue of BBC Focus. Visit them online here.
20 March 2008
Book Depository Editor’s Choice: “Deep Space is awe-inspiring”
I have just been made aware that on 7 March, my latest book, Deep Space, was picked as ‘something for the weekend’ by Mark Thwaite, becoming the editor’s choice over at the book depository (www.bookdepository.co.uk), an on-line bookseller.
Mark says, “Deep Space is awe-inspiring – and by that I mean Deep Space the book is awe-inspiring!
Firstly, and not unlike real, actual space in this regard, Deep Space is big. Really big! The book's dimensions are 36.8 by 27.9 by 4.6cm. Take a moment to think about that and you'll realise this is a lovely chunky slab of a tome. And it needs to be: within are some of the most amazing photographs of deep space you'll ever see. … will delight anyone who has ever looked up at the stars at night and wondered what was up there.”
Read the full review here
They are selling the book at £15.29, almost a ten pounds discount and offering free delivery. Check it out here:
19 March 2008
Deep Space reviewed in Sainsbury’s Magazine
Sainsbury’s Magazine has favourably reviewed my latest book, Deep Space, within their HOTLIST section. They say: “Clark writes clearly and accessibly about the science of the universe”. You can read the full review on page 183 in their April 2008 issue, the one with the big chocolate cake on the front.
17 March 2008
10 Secrets of Venus Revealed
I have a new feature article in the April edition of the BBC’s Sky At Night magazine:
“Stuart Clark investigates what Venus Express has discovered about Earth’s nearest neighbour …”
Read the full story in the April 2008 issue of BBC Sky At Night. Visit them online here.
14 March 2008
Mars Express reveals the Red Planet’s volcanic past
I have a new story published over at ESA
“A new analysis of impact cratering data from Mars reveals that the planet has undergone a series of global volcanic upheavals. These violent episodes spewed lava and water onto the surface, sculpting the landscape that ESA’s Mars Express looks down on today.”
Read the full story for free here.
8 March 2008
Is the dark matter mystery about to be solved?
New Scientist issue 2646
I share the cover story on this week’s New Scientist. My article explores the nature of dark matter, whilst Amanda Gefter’s companion piece explores the nature of dark energy. Here’s the introduction to the two articles:
“As far as most of the universe is concerned, you're inconsequential. The everyday stuff that constitutes you and everything you care about makes up just 4 per cent of the cosmos; the rest we call dark matter and dark energy. What they actually are, though, is anyone's guess. Now we may be on the verge of enlightenment. In this article, we report how experiments are getting ready to identify dark matter, while on page 32 we consider why dark energy may be an illusion created by our place in space. Be prepared for a new cosmic order...”
And here is the introduction to my article:
“THIS YEAR, there's a good chance that a sizeable chunk of our universe will turn up. A fair bit of the cosmos - 22 per cent of it, in fact - seems to be made of invisible dark matter, whose extra gravity helps to bind stars together in galaxies, and galaxies together...”
The complete article is 2511 words long and is available here; a subscription is required.
6 March 2008
Deep Space is published in the UK
My latest book, Deep Space, is published by Quercus and now available throughout the UK.
From the dust jacket:
“What are time and space? When and how did the universe begin – and how will it end? Why has such a rich variety of celestial objects come into being? And was life an inevitable development in the cosmos?
The answers to our most profound questions lie in the depths of space. To look here is, in effect, to look back in time, because we see the light emitted long ago from distant stars and galaxies. As we stare deeper into space, we also gaze further into the past – back towards the beginning of the universe itself.
Now Deep Space allows us to see, with our own eyes, the mysterious objects and phenomena that inhabit the far reaches of the cosmos and the earliest times of existence.
Each of this book’s ten chapters explains one big idea in humanity’s study of the origins and evolution of the universe. These fundamental concepts include the big bang and the expanding universe; the formation of stars and planets; the anatomy and lifecycle of a galaxy; the existence of black holes and supermassive black holes; gravity and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity; dark matter and dark energy; the cosmic web of galaxies; and theories of how the universe will end.
Clearly introduced by Dr. Stuart Clark’s straightforward commentary, these cornerstones in our understanding of the universe are exemplified by a multitude of stunning images and diagrams.
Within Deep Space are over 250 of the very latest and clearest images of the cosmos, provided by the Hubble Space Telescope and other, even more advanced, viewing technologies. These cosmic exotica include: spiral, elliptical, lenticular, ring and irregular galaxies; nebulae and supernova; white dwarfs; quasars; colliding galaxies; star formation and stellar nurseries; dying and exploding stars; planets and the solar system; the large-scale structure of the cosmos; and even images that give evidence of the great ‘invisibles’ of the universe – black holes, dark matter and dark energy.”
5 March 2008
Mars and Venus are surprisingly similar
I have a new story published at ESA.
“Using two ESA spacecraft, planetary scientists are watching the atmospheres of Mars and Venus being stripped away into space. The simultaneous observations by Mars Express and Venus Express give scientists the data they need to investigate the evolution of the two planets’ atmospheres. …”
Read the full story for free here.
Don't forget to take a look through the archive for previous updates.
The Sun Kings
In September of 1859, the entire Earth was engulfed in a gigantic cloud of seething gas, and a blood-red aurora erupted across the planet from the poles to the tropics. Around the world, telegraph systems crashed, machines burst into flames, and electric shocks rendered operators unconscious. Compasses and other sensitive instruments reeled as if struck by a massive magnetic fist. For the first time, people began to suspect that the Earth was not isolated from the rest of the universe.
Read about this cataclysmic event and the way it changed astronomy forever in my latest book.
The Sun Kings is the winner of the Professional and Scholarly Publishers 2007 award for excellence in the astronomy and cosmology category.
What the reviews have to say:
“Clark’s spirited telling of this human story highlights, rather than obscures, his central narrative, in which he well describes the extraordinary scientific perseverance of his main characters.” John North, Times Literary Supplement.
“Stuart Clark loves to tell a good story, and he outdoes himself in his latest book, The Sun Kings.” Powells.com
“Run, don't walk, to your nearest Princeton University Press outlet store to buy The Sun Kings by Stuart Clark. It is a remarkable book combining science, history and human drama. It exemplifies a genre that includes fascinating physical science stories such as The Neptune File (by Tom Standage) or Longitude (Dava Sobel). I was drawn into Clark's story like to a detective novel — even devouring his footnotes with as much anticipation as his human accounts. Stuart Clark deftly manages an authoritative description of how the Sun affects the Earth within a captivating story-telling presence.” Jeff Kuhn, Nature Physics.
“Few authors of science-based books combine the page-turning quality of a good novel with scientific information that entrances the reader. The history of science can be tedious; however, it can also be both dramatic and rich with information that illuminates science itself. The Sun Kings proves beyond doubt the latter point. For several reasons, The Sun Kings is a book everyone should read.” John S. Rigden and Roger H. Stuewer, Physics in Perspective.“This is the most extraordinary book on the history of science I have recently had the pleasure to read. Here is popular science at its best: accurate, meticulously researched, not technical in any way and full of adventures.” Simon Mitton, Times Higher Education Supplement
“Clark is an accomplished storyteller, and I finished this book in a single enthralled sitting. The science behind the story is effortlessly blended into the narrative, and the book is suitable even for those with no previous knowledge of astronomy. It’s simply a great read about a fascinating story and comes highly recommended.” Emmet Mordaunt, Astronomy and Space.
“The Sun Kings is a compelling account of how astronomers came to understand solar flares, sunspots, and magnetic storms. It is also a vivid portrait of the scientific climate of a vanished era. Clark’s research is meticulous and clearly presented as an interesting story, moving naturally between events and people as the narrative demands. The Sun Kings is an excellent and fast-paced read for anyone interested in astronomy, history, or human drama …” Melissa A. Barton, Bookslut.com
“In this book, Stuart Clark, one of Britain’s best-known science writers, sets out to tell the stories of these ‘Sun Kings’ and at the same time outlines some of the most important aspects of present-day research. He succeeds in these tasks admirably.
This book is as fascinating as the constantly changing field of research it describes. Make haste to add it too your library.” BBC Sky at Night, August book of the month.
“Stuart Clark weaves… a fascinating tapestry. The account is non-technical, and is suited for anyone with a general interest in the history of science. Clark’s engaging writing style conveys the passion, intrigues and captivating life stories of the main players. It is a gripping tale of the birth of modern astronomy.” Jan Stenflo, Nature.
“Now and again one comes across a book that is scholarly and is also as exciting as a novel. Stuart Clark’s latest offering comes into this category. The author is a well-known science writer and he is at his very best here. … All in all, it’s an immensely enjoyable book. Read it.” Sir Patrick Moore, BBC Focus.
“Clark's style engages us immediately and holds us throughout. He portrays the science of the times as high drama in which rivalry between scientists was intense, severe, and, in many cases, personal. Not only will readers get a true feel for the science of the 19th century and the characters involved, but they'll learn a little solar science as well. This book will appeal to anyone interested in history and science, a great combination. …” Margaret F. Dominy, Library Journal.
“In this well-researched and very well-written book, Clark tells the embattled, little-known history of modern astronomy, a spry tale full of intrigue, jealousy, spite, dedication and perseverance. Peopled with a large, colorful cast, author and editor Clark delivers a tale rich in conflict and passion… Clark's parade of historical characters dramatize the narrative nicely… making this a fascinating work....” Publisher’s Weekly.
“Meticulously researched, The Sun Kings chronicles the largely untold story of the inception of modern astrophysics in marvellous detail.” SEED Magazine.
“The author has recovered a touchingly dramatic story in Carrington. Well paced and well chosen.” Gilbert Taylor, Booklist.
“We still don't understand the sun, but Clark shows with verve and assurance how it is that we understand so much more than we used to.” Lorien Kaye, The Age.
“[an] alluring tale of scientific discovery. The Sun Kings reveals, above all, Stuart Clark's passion for all things astronomical.” Vancouver Sun
"... a sweeping overview of how solar activity and variable rotation is linked to magnetic disturbances, aurorae and climate change on Earth."
David Hughes, New Scientist
Naomi Pasachoff, Metascience
© Concept Graphics Ltd. 2007 | Author Image courtesy Simon Wallace: meltingpotpictures.co.uk
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