The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of CloudsNow in paperback: the runaway British bestseller that has cloudspotters everywhere looking up. Where do clouds come from? Why do they look the way they do? And why have they captured the imagination of timeless artists, Romantic poets, and every kid who's ever held a crayon? Veteran journalist and lifelong sky watcher Gavin Pretor-Pinney reveals everything there is to know about clouds, from history and science to art and pop culture. Cumulus, nimbostratus, and the dramatic and surfable Morning Glory cloud are just a few of the varieties explored in this smart, witty, and eclectic tour through the skies. Illustrated with striking photographs (including a new section in full-color) and line drawings featuring everything from classical paintings to lava lamps, The Cloudspotter's Guide will have enthusiasts, weather watchers, and the just plain curious floating on cloud nine. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 59
Page 1
... called sprites ( high - altitude , jellyfish- shaped lightning ) to Morning Glory , a single roll cloud that forms in the Australian spring and is often longer than Britain . ” " This book will entice readers of every stripe . " " Plain ...
... called sprites ( high - altitude , jellyfish- shaped lightning ) to Morning Glory , a single roll cloud that forms in the Australian spring and is often longer than Britain . ” " This book will entice readers of every stripe . " " Plain ...
Page 9
... called it The Cloud Appreciation Society and launched it during a lecture I gave at a literary festival in Cornwall . In case anyone at the talk felt moved to join the society , I'd made some official badges , and was surprised to see a ...
... called it The Cloud Appreciation Society and launched it during a lecture I gave at a literary festival in Cornwall . In case anyone at the talk felt moved to join the society , I'd made some official badges , and was surprised to see a ...
Page 23
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Page 29
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Page 34
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Other editions - View all
The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds Gavin Pretor-Pinney Limited preview - 2006 |
The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds Gavin Pretor-Pinney Limited preview - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
altitude Altocumulus Altostratus appear atmosphere base beautiful become blue building called cause Cirrocumulus Cirrostratus Cirrus clear cloud cloudlets cloudspotter cold colours coming common congestus contrails cooling course cover Cumulonimbus Cumulus Cumulus clouds currents dark develop droplets drops effect explained fact fall feel formation freeze front ground grow halo hand happens heat ice crystals increase known layer lenticularis less light look lower mackerel means miles moon Morning Glory mountain never Nimbostratus notice observed paintings particles pass precipitation radiation rain reaches regions result rising seeding seems seen shape side snow sometimes species spread storm Stratocumulus Stratus sunlight surface temperature tend thick thing troposphere types undulatus usually vapour varieties visible warm warmer waves weather Whilst wind
Popular passages
Page 13 - I am the daughter of earth and water, And the nursling of the sky ; I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores ; I change, but I cannot die. For after the rain when with never a stain The pavilion of heaven is bare, And the winds and sunbeams with their convex gleams, Build up the blue dome of air, I silently laugh at my own cenotaph, And out of the caverns of rain, Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tombi I arise and unbuild it again.