What People are Saying about Carolyn's Books...

About The Discovery of the Universe

"Observatories are our eyes on the Universe — our 'cosmos mariners', as Petersen calls them — without which humanity's voyages of discovery across space and time would be impossible.

It is surprising how few books tell the story of astronomy from the perspective of observatories. As a remedy, this book is a detailed, chronological history taking us through the great observatories from ancient history to the present.

We delve into the 'golden age of astronomy' in the 19th and 20th centuries, when observatories such as Yerkes and the Astrophysical Observatory of Potsdam became research laboratories in their own right. During this time, scientists endured inhospitable environments in search of clear, unpolluted skies, culminating in the space-based observatories of the past 60 years such as the Hubble Space Telescope.

The book is impressively up to date, featuring recent key discoveries such as the 2019 image of M87's supermassive black hole, as well as a nod to future observatories soon to come online." ★★★ — Dr. Tamela Maciel, BBC Sky at Night

About Space Exploration: Past, Present, Future

"Fascinating retro photographs that take you on a journey from the first brave space pioneers through to the incredible technologial advances of today have been revealed in a new book... Space Exploration: Past, Present, Future." — Harry Pettit for Daily Mail Online, 6 March 2018

"This attractive hardback addresses space exploration's big picture...by summarizing mission successes, defining existing global spacefaring infrastructure and assessing the reality of colonising the Moon, Mars, and beyond, Petersen admirably tackles her own question... an up-to-date reference guide as well as an introduction for anyone seeking factors of the Space Age." — Jane Green, BBC Sky at Night

About Astronomy 101: From the Sun and Moon to Wormholes and Warp Drive

"So, relax. Get a cool drink and sit back with this book of science knowledge made fun. Expand your realm and your mind on all that make us up, what makes up everything from the smallest quark to cosmic expansion of galaxies. Explore a bit within and without math as the basic steps for making the complex very easy to understand, while amazing to read." — Stuart Riley on Amazon.com

About Visions of the Cosmos

"The photographs are exceptional, stupendous even, and the accompanying text manages the small miracle of doing them justice. This is an elegant and enthralling volume that lavishes marveling sentience with the optics of a mysterium tremendum: the "mature" science of the cosmos'." — the San Francisco Chronicle

About Hubble Vision: Further Adventures with the Hubble Space Telescope

"...the eagerly awaited second edition ... you will find one of the most comprehensive, authoritative, and expertly illustrated popular books about the HST available ... serves to expand public access to the wonders and treasures held within Hubble's vault of images. The magnificent collection of latest and greatest Hubble images is complemented by a clear and fascinating text ... the pictures alone are enough to make this a must-have." — Astronomy Magazine

About Hubble Vision: Astronomy with the Hubble Space Telescope

"... beautifully illustrated ... Hubble Vision is exactly the type of astronomy book that first captured my imagination as a child: large, glossy pages that offer a stunning tour of the cosmos in pictures. It allows us to ponder and marvel at celestial sights previously hidden ... an engaging and informative introduction to astronomy." — Marcia Bartusiak in The New York Times

About The New Solar System

"A well-illustrated tour of our solar system...The authors' discussions of what we don't know about these phenomena are bound to arouse the curiosity of the general reader, and their explanations of what we do know are supplemented with informative colorful photographs, diagrams, and suggestions for further reading." — Science News