In today's newsletter, OUR UNIVERSE: Part One...the story of a coffee table astronomy book that sold 2.5 million copies. This week features my visual speculation on what alien life might look like on other planets. 1/2 theartofmichaelwhelan.substack.com/p/national-g... - ThreadSky

michaelwhelan.bsky.social • 6 days ago

In today's newsletter, OUR UNIVERSE: Part One...the story of a coffee table astronomy book that sold 2.5 million copies.

This week features my visual speculation on what alien life might look like on other planets. 1/2

https://theartofmichaelwhelan.substack.com/p/national-geographic-picture-atlas

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Comments

macdhomnuill.bsky.social•6 days ago

My parents had one, I read it all the time, one of the big influences that lead me to really love and focus on scifi and science.

grannythatgames.bsky.social•6 days ago

I still have this book with me, always fun to look at it - even if it is a bit outdated with a certain icy Rock past Neptune 😭

gettinggames.bsky.social•6 days ago

Whoa, that illustration of gas giant creatures was a time travel ouch! I loved this book and used to study these illustrations as a kid. Likely 30+ years ago.

skyshadow.bsky.social•6 days ago

I grew up and still have this book. I've always adored it. The images and art are amazing and really grew my imagination as a kid!

crowslabyrinth.com•6 days ago

The game No Man's Sky must have been inspired by this. It's awesome to walk around on these worlds. And it's even more impressive in VR.

natdickinson.com•6 days ago

Look for Mary Dickinson in the credits ... my mother.

orodentia.bsky.social•6 days ago

I was lucky enough to visit the National Geographic archives some years back and they let me take one book.

This was the one I picked.
❤️

sfitzgerald.bsky.social•6 days ago

As a kid in the midwest -- where everything felt as flat and bland as the eye could see -- this book was truly a gateway for my young imagination. Have not seen it in a few decades, at least.

zrath.bsky.social•6 days ago

Every self-respecting nerd in the '80s had one of these.
I know I did.

savrindrake.bsky.social•6 days ago

I spent so much time poring over this book as a kid. A real treasure.

megoo.bsky.social•6 days ago

I absolutely loved looking at this book as a kid! I need to "liberate" it from my parents the next time I visit.

scoop-adw.bsky.social•6 days ago

I love this book! I read it and reread it so many times as a kid!

slsurovec.bsky.social•6 days ago

Oh my god! That was your work! I loved this book as a kid. I spent DAYS at a time poring over it. Absolutely amazing designs that stoked my imagination and love of space for a lifetime. ❤️

plognark.bsky.social•6 days ago

Oh wow, I loved that book so much when I was a kid, I’ve got to track down a copy for my collection

slsurovec.bsky.social•6 days ago

Was just thinking the same! I wish I still had it.

iachbodb.bsky.social•6 days ago

Oh shit that was you? Hell yeah. I thought my first exposure to your stuff was either The Integral Trees or On A Pale Horse, turns out it was this.

isaachannaford.bsky.social•6 days ago

Love this book

michaelwhelan.bsky.social•6 days ago

Also, it can't go without mention that the iconic cover art for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PICTURE ATLAS OF OUR UNIVERSE was painted by the ever stellar John Berkey. 2/2

https://www.johnberkey.com

shanepatrickwhite.bsky.social•6 days ago

Easily one of my favorite illustrators. Right up there with Mitchell Hooks. What an era to be a part of.

Vincent Di Fate, being an honorable mention, too.

vorthosmike.bsky.social•6 days ago

Berkey - no matter what I say, he will always be underrated. He’s missed. Just a titan of space.

chrisv1066.bsky.social•6 days ago

This is amazing! I haven't thought of this book in so long. I was ten when it came out and I was obsessed with it. I've just realized that your alien illustrations are the only thing that I can remember from Our Universe 45 years later.

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