Selected as the winner from a shortlist of six titles, A City on Mars ‘explores a wide range of questions, including: What do we know—and what do we not know—about human physiology and reproduction in space? How resilient might our mental health be? Are the Moon, a space station, or an asteroid viable alternatives for a settlement on Mars? Lastly, what international laws exist regarding space settlement, and how much flexibility is there in them?’ noted the chair of judges, John Hutchinson.

‘The Weinersmiths effectively address these inquiries while suggesting ways to tackle the challenges of establishing a human presence in space in the future,’ remarked Hutchinson. ‘They skillfully balance scientific rigor and fairness with a touch of humor, enhanced by their entertaining and informative illustrations. By the end of the book, we grasp that while having a city on Mars might still be centuries away, there are many compelling reasons to strive toward the ambitious objective of space settlement. A significant number of these reasons start with advancing science and technology here on Earth—and in the meantime, making every effort to protect our invaluable planet.’

Hutchinson was joined on the 2024 judging panel by author Eleanor Catton; New Scientist’s comment and culture editor Alison Flood; educator, broadcaster, and writer Bobby Seagull; and Jess Wade, a lecturer at Imperial College London.

The recipient of the 2023 prize was Ed Yong for An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us (Vintage).