Bringing physics down to Earth through rocket science

Science writer Trisha Muro, a former physics instructor, has a new book out called 'It's (Just) Rocket Science,' and Physics World reports it's a refreshingly accessible take on fundamental physics. The hook: instead of abstract theory, Muro uses space missions—the Apollo program, Mars rovers, the Hubble Space Telescope—as case studies to explain orbital mechanics, general relativity, the electromagnetic spectrum, and more. She's included interviews with working scientists, mostly women, explaining how their actual missions employ these principles. One of the book's best features is Muro's use of concrete analogies. For gravitational slingshots, she imagines two ice skaters, one giving the other a momentum boost. The book also includes equations—a rarity in popular science, since most authors avoid math to keep readers engaged. It's pitched to readers below university level—anyone who wants to understand how physics actually works in the real world. As a final touch, Muro is donating one hundred percent of the book's proceeds to fund scholarships for children to attend NASA Space Camp.

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