# Bad Astronomy book now out! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921 "2002-03-12T21:56:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bad_Astronomer)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/1 "2002-03-12T21:56:34Z")
Hey Dopers! With unhumble pride, I’d like to announce the release of my first real live book, “Bad Astronomy”. For those of you familiar with [my website](http://www.badastronomy.com), the book has some topics already there, but with more detail. It also goes into new topics, like UFOs, astrology and creationism. For those of you not familiar with my site, Bad Astronomy deals with myths and misconceptions in astronomy. There are articles about why the sky is blue, standing eggs on the first day of spring, why we have tides, and all sorts of other astronomical topics. I also review movies and television shows for the accuracy of their astronomy. Hmph. Reading this makes it all sound dry. It ain’t. It’s fun. So please drop on by! I have more info about the book there too. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/2 "2002-03-12T22:04:09Z")
Congrats and thanks. Anyone not familiar with our author here, believe me when I say he has a knack for taking a fascinating topic and making it quite entertaining. Being entertained while you learn something relevant to everything you do. Sounds to me like just about as good as it gets. I’ll be over to order a copy right away. Any chance of getting an autographed copy? ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/3 "2002-03-12T22:20:00Z")
Sweet! I’ll have to look into getting a copy. I love the website, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![Winnowill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4491bb/32.png) [@Winnowill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnowill)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/4 "2002-03-12T22:20:05Z")
Congrats, BA! I’m definitely going to purchase at least one copy - and my brother LOVES your stuff, too! ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/5 "2002-03-12T22:40:17Z")
I should be along for that shortly, as well. How 'bout an answer on the autographing idea? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bad_Astronomer)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/6 "2002-03-12T22:49:17Z")
First, thanks for the nice words. I never get tired of praise. 😉 Second, I am not sure what to do about autographs. At first I was embarrassed, but then figured what the heck. We’ve been talking about it on [my own BB](http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/index.php), but never got a good solution. The best I can do is print up “book plates”, which are big stickers to put inside the book. I can sign those and mail them out. The problem, to be blunt, is cost; the stickers are fairly pricey. I am looking into it though. I am hoping the publisher can send me a bunch, but I haven’t heard from them yet about it. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2002, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/7 "2002-03-12T23:20:51Z")
My only question is, will the book contain those dissections of the bad astronomy and physics in movies, such as _Armageddon_ and _Red Planet_, that I so enjoy on the website? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bad_Astronomer)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/8 "2002-03-13T00:10:32Z")
Not specifically. But the last chapter is a reprint of an Astronomy Magazine article I wrote that puts together generic mistakes in movies, and then debunks them. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/9 "2002-03-13T01:02:25Z")
Great Job! You seem to be the astronomy version of good old Uncle Cecil (actually, you are much better than Uncle Cecil but he is is getting old and we like to humor him and you know…). I have used your arguments against the Fox special claiming that the lunar landings were fake so many times that it is not even funny. Actually, now that I think of it, can you send me a short e-mail thanking me for fighting their ignorance (I am actually serious). I just need one more piece of ammo to prove to two usually intelligence people that they have the logical reasoning ability of my pet iguana (didn’t mean to insult you Atilla). They seem to by easily swayed be any media figure including whatever Fox throws out there. I will certainly buy your book as soon as I see it. Will it be available at Barnes and Noble? ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/10 "2002-03-13T01:58:25Z")
Thanks for the info, BA! I’ve had your book saved in my shopping cart at [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) for months now - guess I can click the purchase button now! Your astronomy site is great, and it’s badly needed, judging from the ratings those “documentaries” on FOX recieve. Here’s hoping some of those folks check out your web site and/or pick up your book. artemis ---
**Author:** ![Peregrine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Peregrine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peregrine)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/11 "2002-03-13T02:20:31Z")
I see that in the lastest issue of SKEPTIC Magazine, James Randi says your book is “readable, erudite, informative, useful, and highly entertaining”. Well done! :: _gets in line at the bookstore_ :: ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/12 "2002-03-13T03:02:23Z")
One solution for signed books if all else fails. If someone needs it signed really bad… Buy one, ship it to BA with return post. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/13 "2002-03-13T03:12:23Z")
Congratulations! I love your site, so I’ll have to have a look at this. ---
**Author:** ![drewbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drewbert/32/15890_2.png) [@drewbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewbert)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/14 "2002-03-13T03:59:09Z")
Can’t wait to see the book! (and now for the gratuitous hijack - apologies in advance:) **Bad Astronomer** , did you get the email I sent you last week? ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/15 "2002-03-13T04:02:45Z")
Congratulations **BA**!!! I knew of you from your web site long before I “knew” you here. Not that I really _know_ you of course, but, well, you know what I mean. As I posted months ago (which is probably lost in the Great Beyond, beyond December 7, a day that will live in infamy) I will most certainly purchase your book. From other posts here, I infer that I can buy it at Amazon. Off I go! ---
**Author:** ![JimOfAllTrades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@JimOfAllTrades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimOfAllTrades)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/16 "2002-03-13T06:19:51Z")
I’m just back from Amazon where I ordered my copy. Should be here next week. I’m looking forward to it! Good job, BA! Ugly ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/17 "2002-03-13T10:53:09Z")
Congratulations from a devoted fan! Next time I get to ordering from Amazon, I’ll definitely pick up a copy. Is it the coolest feeling in the world, to publish a book? ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Dead\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecb155/32.png) [@Living\_Dead\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Dead_Girl)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/18 "2002-03-13T11:12:37Z")
I’m a huge fan of your site and astronomy in general, so I’ll be picking up your book as soon as I can find it. Congrats on getting it published! ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/19 "2002-03-13T11:14:20Z")
All right then, matey… I’ve ordered one from Amazon. Hmmm. There’s me, and **Montfort** ’s in Sweden… perhaps you should put “INTERNATIONALLY FAMOUS!!!” on the cover of the next edition? (But, seriously… congratulations!) ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2002, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921/20 "2002-03-13T11:39:01Z")
Hooray for the Bad Astronomer! I’ve been loving your web site, even though I came within a cat’s whisker of failing high school science. I’m looking forward to catching the book. I sure hope it will be prominently displayed at My Friendly Neighborhood Barnes and Noble. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-astronomy-book-now-out/97921.md?page=2)