Page 96 - All About Space 68 - 2017 UK

STARGAZER

In the shops

The latest books, apps, software, tech and
accessories for space and astronomy fans alike

Book
The Vacation Guide to the Solar System
Cost: £12.99
Publisher: Square Peg
The futuristic Vacation Guide to the Solar System infuses the
imagination of travelling to vast environments of the Solar System,
while being based upon facts about our planets and moons. Despite
being released in 2017, the book begins by describing a time more
suitable for 3017, where humans can leisurely travel between planets
and dwarf planets in our Solar System, from Mercury to Pluto.
This book has done a fantastic job of combining vast
astronomical knowledge with the idea of public interplanetary
travel, a concept we’ve dreamed about for generations. Although
the science of sustainable travel to and from planets is still
unknown, the book does a great job at describing the possible
methods of how to save fuel and weight, which are important when
considering space flight. Once you have arrived at the planet, there
are descriptions of visiting sites, possible activities and detailed
descriptions of the landscape coupled with delightful illustrations.
Highly recommendable for anyone who dreams of playing
baseball on the Moon, living under the surface of Mercury, or riding
the winds of Neptune, Vacation Guide to the Solar System is not only
filled with facts and knowledge of space flight, it also possesses a
creative side that makes it an enjoyable read for all ages.

App
AuroraWatch UK v 1.6.1
Cost: Free
For: Android and iOS
Created by the Space and Planetary Physics group at Lancaster
University, the AuroraWatch UK app is designed to notify the user
of any aurora activity in the United Kingdom. The app does not
only look appealing, but its information is precise and up-to-date.
When you open the app, the ‘Disturbance level’ is the first
thing you see, with the measurement made in nanoteslas. With
its colour-coded text, the user is informed post-haste about
the state of the aurora; starting with green text denoting low
activity, and going up to red text, which indicates high activity.
Straightaway you’ll learn if it’s a quiet night, or if you need to grab
your coat and head outside to see a magnificent light show.
Unfortunately the Sun is currently at its weakest solar activity
during its 11-year cycle, meaning that there are minimal sunspots,
which are causing weak aurorae.
When there’s such little activity, AuroraWatch isn’t the
busiest app, but when the solar surface increases in activity,
aurora intensity should increase, causing the app to notify you
immediately. AuroraWatch UK will also provide future activity,
similar to a weather forecast, and is sure to provide a buzz of
excitement when aurora borealis pays the United Kingdom a visit.

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