************ IAU1008: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ************
www.iau.org/public_press/news/detail/iau1008/

Cosmic Diary Anthology Released as a Free Book: Postcards from 
the Edge of the Universe

07 September 2010, Paris: The book, Postcards from the Edge of the Universe, was 
launched today at the European Week of Astronomy and Space Science in Lisbon, 
Portugal. A legacy of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone project 
Cosmic Diary, the book features articles from astronomers around the world about the 
hottest astronomical topics of the moment.

From sunspots to black holes, planets around other stars, supernovae and dark matter, 
Postcards from the Edge of the Universe unveils the mysteries of today’s research, looking at 
cutting-edge astronomy from around the world. Articles by 24 frontline astronomers from 
all corners of the globe explain their science in accessible language.

This book is based on a hand-picked selection of the best posts and science writing from 
the astronomy blog Cosmic Diary, one of the twelve Cornerstone projects of the 
International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009). The contributions have been compiled 
into an edited anthology that gives an enthralling snapshot of contemporary astronomy. 
The four-page popular-science articles all have a personal flavour, as each contributor has 
selected their own research topic, giving the reader a personal insight into work at the 
forefront of astronomy.

Lee Pullen, one the book’s editors says, “The strengths of the Cosmic Diary are all here in this 
book: modern science, accessible writing and fascinating topics. The diverse areas covered mean 
there's something for everyone, whatever their level of space science knowledge. We're very 
happy to be offering this as a legacy of the International Year of Astronomy 2009.”

Catherine Cesarsky, chair of the IYA2009 Executive Committee, adds, “Releasing this book 
means that the spirit of IYA2009 and the Cosmic Diary endures, allowing people all over the 
world easy access to modern astronomical research as presented by the scientists themselves.”

Visitors to the book’s website, www.postcardsfromuniverse.org, will find an option to send 
an electronic postcard from space to family and friends — the only postal service that 
makes light-speed deliveries.

Postcards from the Edge of the Universe was edited by Lee Pullen, Mariana Barrosa and Lars 
Lindberg Christensen and was produced in a collaboration between ESO, the International 
Astronomical Union and UNESCO in the framework of the International Year of 
Astronomy 2009.

Postcards from the Edge of the Universe is available as an electronic book for free download 
from http://www.postcardsfromuniverse.org/ and can be ordered in hardcopy form 
from ESO’s shop.

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Links

- Postcards from the Edge of the Universe website: 
http://www.postcardsfromuniverse.org/ 
- Cosmic Diary blog: http://www.cosmicdiary.org/   
- ESOshop : http://www.eso.org/public/shop
- The International Year of Astronomy 2009: http://www.astronomy2009.org/
- European Week of Astronomy and Space Sciences: http://www.jenam2010.org
     
For more information:

IYA2009 Global Coordinator
Pedro Russo
ESO ePOD, Garching, Germany
Cellular: Germany: +49 176 6110 0211 / Portugal: +351962854775
Tel: +49 89 320 06 195
Fax: +49 89 320 23 62 
E-mail: prusso@eso.org

Further contacts

IAU Press Officer
Lars Lindberg Christensen
ESO ePOD, Garching, Germany
Tel: +49 89 3200 6761
Cellular: +49 173 3872 621
E-mail: lars@eso.org

Mariana Barrosa
Munich, Germany
E-mail: mariana.barrosa@scienceoffice.org