Lunar

A beautiful showcase of hand-drawn geological charts of the Moon, combined with a retelling of the symbolic and mythical associations of Earth''s satellite. Created over a period of twelve years by a team of twenty-two scientists and illustrator-cartographers, the Geologic Atlas of the Moon (1962-74) comprises forty-four superb geological charts of the Moon - one for each named quadrangle on the nearside of the Moon. For the first time in Lunar , each of the beautifully hand-drawn and coloured quadrant charts is displayed at full page size and annotated with details and illustrations of lunar landings from 1959 to today, robot-collected rock samples and references from popular culture. Interspersed between the beautiful charts and accompanying geological, exploratory and popular culture annotations are self-contained feature essays by expert contributors, each devoted to a Moon-related topic. Together they highlight the cultural, scientific and natural significance of the Moon to humankind, from prehistory to NASA''s present Artemis missions. Features are presented broadly chronologically from origin of myth or concept, and reflect humanity''s growing understanding of the Moon and its influence on Earth. Topics include: the Mayan lunar calendar; the role of the Moon in astrology; the importance of the Moon in establishing an Earth-centred solar system; the association of the Moon with madness; the Moon in literature and painting; how the Moon governs the tides; the Moon in the movies; and the robotic exploration of the Moon.

Auteur
Matthew Shindell is a historian of science whose work focuses on the history of the Earth and planetary sciences, in particular on the development of these fields during the Cold War. He is the curator of Planetary Science at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and co-hosts the Museum's podcast, AirSpace. Shindell received a PhD in History of Science from the University of California, San Diego, and has taught at the University of Southern California and Harvard University. In addition to writing poetry, he is the author of The Life and Science of Harold C. Urey, co-author of Spaceships and Discerning Experts: The Practices of Scientific Assessment for Environmental Policy and co-editor of Smithsonian American Women. His latest book, For the Love of Mars, was published May 2023.