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Features

A guide to the eight phases of the moon

My Essential Guide to Navigating the Night Sky

The Sky at Night: The Art of Stargazing

Dame Maggie Aderin is a space scientist, author and broadcaster whose lifelong passion is making the wonders of the universe accessible to everyone. Over her career, she has created bespoke scientific instruments in both industrial and academic environments, including satellites that monitor climate change and contributing to the James Webb Space Telescope. In 2004, Maggie founded Science Innovation Ltd, a company dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds. She is a BAFTA-nominated TV presenter, working on documentaries, children’s factual television and comedy shows, and a bestselling author. She also co-hosts the world's longest-running science programme, The Sky at Night, and gave the 200th anniversary Christmas Lectures at the Royal Institution. Her contributions to the field have also earned her an Institute of Physics Gold Medal, a Barbie doll in her likeness and roles as President of the British Science Association and Chancellor of the University of Leicester. In 2024, she was knighted in the New Year's Honours list for her services to science education and diversity.

Look up... 
 
The Art of Stargazing is the ultimate insider's guide to the night sky in which award-winning space scientist and The Sky at Night presenter Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock shares her expertise and unique insights into the marvellous world of stars. Take a tour of the 88 constellations and explore the science, history, culture and romanticism behind these celestial bodies. 
 
In this must-have handbook for budding stargazers - and anyone looking for a little more wonder in their lives - Maggie will help you to identify stars and teach you the basics of naked-eye observation, offering fascinating facts plus advice on kit, 'dark sky' locations and much more. Also included are beautiful illustrations to accompany each constellation and an easy-to-read sky map. With Maggie by your side, the night sky will truly come alive.

The Sky at Night: Book of the Moon – A Guide to Our Closest Neighbour

Lunar expert and popular BBC presenter, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock explores our fascination with the Moon, in her first book with The Sky at Night.

makes you marvel about both our solar system and our nearest neighbour

How well do you know our closest neighbour? 
 
Featured on BBC Radio 4 Saturday Live and BBC Breakfast 
 
The moon has fascinated humankind since the beginning of history. But far from being just a big rock out in space, the Moon has a phenomenal power over the earth, with its ability to create great waves, dictate the length of the day and summon the seasons. It is a key player in the story of our planet. 
 
In this unique celebration of the Moon, lunar expert and space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin Pocock takes readers on a journey through the Moon’s past, present and future. She uncovers the way the Moon has captured our imaginations, contemplates how it was formed, and uncovers why we need the Moon to protect our fragile earth. Drawing on the latest scientific research, she then looks forward to what might be to come – will we return to the moon or will it become a launch pad to go into the great unknown? 
 
Filled with fascinating facts and anecdotes, and written with warmth and passion, The Book of the Moon is for scientists and stargazers alike. You'll never look at our closest neighbour in the same way again.

The Knowledge: Stargazing

Astronomy is the oldest science, probably because you can do it just with your eyes.From time immemorial, people across the globe have looked up at the skies and wondered. In Stargazing Maggie Aderin-Pocock gives an overview of the universe as we see and know it today, and explains what its components: earth, moon, solar system etc., mean and where we fit in.She shows us what can be seen with the naked eye as well as discussing stargazing equipment from astronomical binoculars to setting up your own telescope.Punctuated throughout with Maggie&#39;s top 10s - from Top 10 Interesting Bodies in Space to Top 10 Mysteries of the Universe and Top 10 Dark Sky Locations - this is a fascinating and very accessible guide to understanding our universe.

Maggie Aderin-Pocock, MBE is a space scientist who has spent her career making novel, bespoke instrumentation in both the academic and industrial environments. Maggie&#39;s BBC2 programme Do We Really Need The Moon? won her the Talkback Thames new talent award at the prestigious Woman in Film and TV Awards in 2011. She is a presenter on the hugely popular Sky At Night on BBC4. Through her company Science Innovation Ltd, Maggie conducts &#39;Tours of the Universe&#39; showing adults and school children the wonders of space.

Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Simon Guerrier

Emma Price

'The nation's go-to woman for all things space... her joy for the subject is boundless' – The Guardian 
 
Take a new look at the world around you. 
 
What is a planet? Is there life on Mars? What makes Earth so special? 
 
Questions about our Solar System have fascinated us for centuries. Based on the latest scientific research, The Story of the Solar System will help you see the planets around us in a whole new light. Using colourful and easy-to-follow infographics, each planet becomes a character with a story of its own to tell, from Jupiter the King of the Solar System to ice oddity Uranus and outlier planet-but-not-a-planet Pluto. 
 
As space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock shows us, the story of Earth is best understood as part of its larger family, and The Story of the Solar System will bring that family to life.

Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Books by Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Series by Maggie Aderin-Pocock

The Knowledge

Articles featuring Maggie Aderin-Pocock

A guide to the eight phases of the moon

Videos

DR MAGGIE ADERIN-POCOCK MBE: How to think outside the planet

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