The exploration of space from man’s first steps on the moon to the first photograph of Earth

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BBC Space Presenter and actor Dallas Campbell has recently released a book called ‘Space Journal: The Art and Science of Cosmic Exploration’ which will delight fans of both space and photography alike.

Dallas has presented an array of successful TV series for the BBC including ‘City in the Sky’ with Mathematician Dr Hannah Fry, and ‘Stargazing Live’ which broadcasted British astronaut Tim Peake’s historic live launch to the International Space Station in 2015.

Percival Lowell observing through the 24-inch Clark Telescope, c.1897. Lowell Observatory Archives 2012.0014 © Courtesy Lowell Observatory Archives, Flagstaff, AZ

Space Journal features images of detailed spacesuit designs to Neil Armstrong on the moon’s surface from the historic Apollo 11 mission. With the four astronauts touching back down to earth from their groundbreaking 10-day Artemis II mission in April last week, which was the first time in over half a century that astronauts had travelled around the Moon and back to Earth, this is a perfect fix to continue your space curiosity and to fill the void.

portrait of Neil Armstrong — Neil Armstrong © JSC/NASA

This book also includes content about video games, music, art, and fiction, which have all been pivotal in our understanding and knowledge of space. Images from films, books and paintings, among others, can be found throughout the book as well.

You will come across a staggering 517 illustrations from the 16th century to the present day. Astronomical oil paintings from the 18th century by Donat Creti, first space photography, and 20th century film posters for film buffs. Dallas closely looks in detail at how artists, authors, film makers and space enthusiasts all inspired man’s exploration of space and how we understand it.

Launching of rockets in New Mexico, USA, 1940: Robert Hutchings Goddard observing - Dr. Goddard Observes Launch Site — Launching of rockets in New Mexico, USA, 1940: Robert Hutchings Goddard observing – Dr. Goddard Observes Launch Site © NASA

Fascinating early iterations of the moon by English Mathematician Thomas Harriot are shown, then focus quickly shifts to Galileo Galilei’s observations of the moon’s surface via his own telescope that he created.

Goddard and colleagues holding the rocket used in the flight of 19 April 1932 © NASA

Dallas touches upon every pivotal moment regarding space exploration, leaving no stone unturned, as he explains the compelling space race between the Soviets and the Americans. This section features behind the scenes images of Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin’s Vostock 1 capsule being carefully constructed before his flight into space.

One of twenty-five photos of the moon’s surface captured by the crew of Apollo 12, November 14, 1969 © MSFC/NASA

In the book you’ll find the iconic images from NASA’s Apollo 11 mission in 1969 which landed the first humans, Neil Armstroung and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, onto the moon. These surreal images show Aldrin on the surface of the moon with the American flag planted in the ground. There are also two images of the Earth just creeping over the Moon’s horizon which are as compelling now as to when they were taken at the time.