Heavenly Errors

An interesting new look at how humans perceive nature...A good primer on critical thinking and how science really works. Choice His relaxed style of discourse makes his book quite readable, and though his pedagogical approach is somewhat unconventional, he deserves a hearing. Recommended for academic and public libraries. Library Journal Anyone concerned with astronomy will find this book useful. Astronomy Now Debunking silly, frightening and grandiose beliefs, the University of Maine professor of physics and astronomy is reassuring and engaging. Publishers Weekly An easy-to-read guide to what science now knows about the universe. San Diego Union Tribune Intriguing analysis of common errors and misconceptions of the real nature of the universe. Bookwatch

Neil F. Comins is the author of What if the Moon Didn't Exist? He has contributed numerous articles to Astronomy magazine and has appeared on radio and television. He is professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Maine.

Introduction 1. Fun in the Sun: Some Misconceptions Close to Home 3. Creating Your Own Private Cosmos: Internal and Mixed Origins of Incorrect Beliefs 2. Blame It on Someone Else: External Origins of Incorrect Beliefs 4. Survival in a Misperceived World: How Well Did Our Ancestors Do Without Understanding Nature? 6. The Sage on the Stage or the Guide by Your Side: A Peek Behind the Effort to Help You Unlearn Misconceptions 5. Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Misconceptions are Hard to Replace 7. Let the Buyer Beware: How to Avoid Future Misconceptions 8. Conflicts and Dangers: The Problems That Misconceptions Create Epilogue: False Personal Cosmologies Selected Bibliography Index