Maggie Aderin, Sarah Wild, Maggie Aderin-Pocock

James Webb’s Ancient Cosmos

A Journey to the Beginning of Time

Price: £25.00

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Details

Imprint: O'Mara Books

Publication date: 24/09/2026

ISBN: 9781789298321

Subject: Non-Fiction

Category: Science - History - Philosophy

Binding: Hardback

Size: 280 x 216 mm

Extent: 224 pages

Illustration: Full colour pictures, and b&w line drawings

Territorial Rights: World (All Languages)

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Summary:

Written by The Sky at Night's Dame Dr Maggie Aderin, this is an essential guide to the latest James Webb images, revealing what these discoveries mean for our understanding of the universe and human history.

Dr Maggie Aderin offers a stunning insight into the incredible galaxies that surround us’ - Sandi Toksvig

Maggie Aderin adds a depth of understanding that is rarely found in illustrated books. A collection of wonders’ - Brian Clegg

Can the James Webb Space Telescope really see the past? Bringing their passion and expert knowledge of space, Dr Maggie Aderinand Sarah Wild take readers on a journey back in time to explore the creation and formation of our solar system, galaxies and other exoplanetary systems in the universe.

Beginning in our own galaxy, this stunning book uses the James Webb Space Telescope's cinematic images as route markers towards this cosmic dawn, revealing the mesmerizing pictures' secrets and explaining some of cosmology's greatest mysteries, from the shape of the universe to the nature of dark matter.

Featuring incredible space photography, Dr Maggie Aderin and Sarah Wild demystify the pictures from deep space and explain the essential science behind each discovery. The perfect science encyclopedia for fans of the night sky, astronomy and planets or anyone on the lookout for beautiful photography books.

Also available:
Webb's Universe (9781789295726)

Reviews:

This book is literally heavenly – a wonderful showcase for the glories of the cosmos revealed by the extraordinary James Webb Space Telescope.

Marcus Chown, Author of One Thing You Need to Know

Maggie Aderin adds a depth of understanding that is rarely found in illustrated books. A collection of wonders.

Brian Clegg, Science Writer

The ultimate book on all things JWST, perfectly blending astrophysics and engineering. Aderin describes not just the science of what’s going on in these incredible JWST images but crucially how the images were taken.

Dr Becky Smethurst, Astrophysicist, Author and YouTuber

Dr Maggie Aderin offers a stunning insight into the incredible galaxies that surround us.

Sandi Toksvig

Sales points:

  • An essential - and beautiful - companion: comprising 30,000 words and featuring approximately 100 images from NASA, this is perfect for anyone wanting to understand how the JWST works and what it means for our understanding of the universe.

  • Featuring the latest discoveries from the JWST: this up-to-the-minute book covers what the telescope and its photographs mean for the future of space technology.

  • Written by Dr Maggie Aderin: the much-revered space expert and author of Webb’s Universe, which has sold over 15,000 copies in the English language and has been translated in seven languages. Sarah Wild is an established science communicator. Both are available for PR.

About the Author:

Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock PhD is a space scientist whose passion is presenting science and demonstrating that you ‘don’t need a brain the size of a small planet’ to understand science. She is a BAFTA-nominated TV presenter, co-hosting the world’s longest-running science television programme The Sky at Night and delivering the 2025 RI Christmas lectures. Maggie also won the Institute of Physics gold medal for exceptional services to science education and physics communication and was made a Dame in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list.

About the Author:

Sarah Wild

Sarah Wild studied physics, electronics and English literature at Rhodes University, South Africa, and for an MSc in bioethics and health law, before becoming a freelance science journalist. She has also written books, won awards, and run national science desks. Her work has appeared in Nature, Science, Scientific American, and Undark, among others, and she has appeared on the BBC’s World Service and the Inside Science programme.

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