Plait Publishes Bad Astronomy

Dr. Philip Plait, a Department of Physics and Astronomy staff member, has written a popular book titled Bad Astronomy, based on his famous website, http://www.badastronomy.com, which debunks astronomical myths and misconceptions. In the book, he gently guides the reader through the various ways astronomy is spun, folded and mutilated by the press, in movies, and in urban legends. He uses humor and personal anecdotes to discuss such topics as astrology, UFOs, why the sky is blue, why the Moon looks bigger on the horizon, and even the people who think that NASA faked the Apollo Moon landings.

The book came out in March 2002, and is currently in its second printing.