This book will interest anyone who marvels at the night sky and would like to learn to recognise constellations and identify the brightest stars by name. Step-by-step, the reader is guided through the knowledge needed to recognise key constellations, identify stars and planets, and interpret changes in the overall appearance of the sky throughout the year.
2019 PRISM Award Winner! “The answer is no, Lyra,” my mother utters her favorite—I swear—phrase. No means I have to travel with them to another planet—again. No means leaving all my friends fifty years in the past. Thanks, Einstein. Seventeen-year-old Lyra Daniels can’t truly blame Einstein or her parents for their impending move across the Milky Way Galaxy. It’s all due to the invention of the Q-net, which made traveling the vast distances in space possible—with one big caveat: the time dilation. But that never stopped Lyra's ancestors from exploring the Milky Way, searching for resources and exoplanets to colonize. What they didn’t expect to find is life-sized terracotta Warriors buried on twenty-one different exoplanets. ... Make that twenty-two. As the Galaxy’s leading experts on the Warriors, Lyra's parents are thrilled by the new discovery, sending them—and her—fifty years into the future. Her social life in ruins, she fills her lonely days by illegally worming into the Q-net. The only person close to her age is the annoyingly irresistible security officer who threatens to throw her into the brig. After the planet they just left goes silent—meaning no communications from them at all—security has bigger problems to deal with than Lyra, especially when vital data files go missing. But that's just the beginning, because they’re not as alone as they thought on their new planet... and suddenly time isn't the only thing working against them.
From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Secret World of Weather and The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs, learn to tap into nature and notice the hidden clues all around you Before GPS, before the compass, and even before cartography, humankind was navigating. Now this singular guide helps us rediscover what our ancestors long understood—that a windswept tree, the depth of a puddle, or a trill of birdsong can help us find our way, if we know what to look and listen for. Adventurer and navigation expert Tristan Gooley unlocks the directional clues hidden in the sun, moon, stars, clouds, weather patterns, lengthening shadows, changing tides, plant growth, and the habits of wildlife. Rich with navigational anecdotes collected across ages, continents, and cultures, The Natural Navigator will help keep you on course and open your eyes to the wonders, large and small, of the natural world.
A beautifully illustrated collection of nonfiction stories featuring the many wonders that exist in the night sky. Beginning with a sunset and ending at dawn, Through the Night Sky shines a light on the magical events taking place in the darkness above. Unlike an astronomy book that focuses on eye-popping facts and figures about the universe, Through the Night Sky features a series of incredible stories that take place in the sky at night. Track a colony of bats as they fly through the twilight to pollinate the flowers of the mysterious baobab tree, follow a family into the wilderness to gaze at the constellations, watch whales swimming through chilly Arctic waters under the gentle glow of the Northern Lights, then chart the journey of a ship navigating by the stars. Through the Night Sky is a beautiful book that spans a wide range of subjects, including everything from nocturnal animals or revelers watching fireworks illuminate the night, to celestial objects such as the moon, planets, stars, and meteor showers--all under the vast night sky.
The sun, moon, stars, and planets have been a source of wonder for as long as humans have lived on earth. In this highly visual guide to observing the sky with the naked eye, kids aged 9–14 will delve into the science behind what they see. This captivating book offers a tour of our solar system and deep space, explaining how objects like Earth’s moon were formed and introducing the “why” behind phenomena such as eclipses, northern lights, and meteor showers. Sky gazers will learn how to find and observe planets — no binoculars or telescopes required — and star charts will show them how to spot constellations through the seasons and in both hemispheres. Activities include tracking the cycles of the sun and moon and observing the sky during daylight hours or on a cloudy night. Includes profiles of professional astronomers and sidebars on space technology and current issues, such as light pollution.
At once far flung and intimate, a fascinating look at how finding our way make us human. "A marvel of storytelling." —Kirkus (Starred Review) In this compelling narrative, O'Connor seeks out neuroscientists, anthropologists and master navigators to understand how navigation ultimately gave us our humanity. Biologists have been trying to solve the mystery of how organisms have the ability to migrate and orient with such precision—especially since our own adventurous ancestors spread across the world without maps or instruments. O'Connor goes to the Arctic, the Australian bush and the South Pacific to talk to masters of their environment who seek to preserve their traditions at a time when anyone can use a GPS to navigate. O’Connor explores the neurological basis of spatial orientation within the hippocampus. Without it, people inhabit a dream state, becoming amnesiacs incapable of finding their way, recalling the past, or imagining the future. Studies have shown that the more we exercise our cognitive mapping skills, the greater the grey matter and health of our hippocampus. O'Connor talks to scientists studying how atrophy in the hippocampus is associated with afflictions such as impaired memory, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, depression and PTSD. Wayfinding is a captivating book that charts how our species' profound capacity for exploration, memory and storytelling results in topophilia, the love of place. "O'Connor talked to just the right people in just the right places, and her narrative is a marvel of storytelling on its own merits, erudite but lightly worn. There are many reasons why people should make efforts to improve their geographical literacy, and O'Connor hits on many in this excellent book—devouring it makes for a good start." —Kirkus Reviews
“Just the sort of book that saves lives by igniting a passion for reading.” —James Patterson “Reminiscent of Huckleberry Finn.” —The Wall Street Journal A Michael L. Printz Honor Winner From the author of Newbery Medal winner Moon Over Manifest comes the odyssey-like adventure of two boys’ incredible quest on the Appalachian Trail. When Jack Baker’s father sends him from his home in Kansas to attend a boys’ boarding school in Maine, Jack doesn’t know what to expect. Certainly not Early Auden, the strangest of boys. Early keeps to himself, reads the number pi as a story, and refuses to accept truths others take for granted. Jack, feeling lonely and out of place, connects with Early, and the two become friends. During a break from school, the boys set out for the Appalachian Trail on a quest for a great black bear. As Jack and Early travel deeper into the mountains, they meet peculiar and dangerous characters, and they make some shocking discoveries. But their adventure is only just beginning. Will Jack’s and Early’s friendship last the journey? Can the boys make it home alive? An ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection An ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book A New York Times Editor’s Choice A New York Times Bestseller An Indie Pick A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A Booklist Books for Youth Editors’ Choice Selection A BookPage Best Children’s Book A Texas Lone Star Reading List Selection A Notable Children's Book in Language Arts Book A Down East Magazine Best of Maine Book A North Carolina Young Adult Book Award Master List Selection An Iowa Children's Choice Award Finalist
Navigating the Night Sky with Stargazers' Almanac In the wides tapestry of the universe, our Earth is but a tiny speck of dust. Yet, every night, as we turn our gazes skyward, we are transported into the boundless expanse of the cosmos. The night sky, adorned with its shimmering stars, holds stories that have captivated humanity for millennia. It's a celestial theatre, where constellations are the actors, and each star, a character in a timeless narrative. Welcome to the "Stargazers' Almanac," your celestial companion for the journey through the inky depths of space. In the pages that follow, we will embark on a voyage through the night sky, guided by the brilliance of stars that have inspired countless dreamers, scientists, and storytellers. These stars, each with its unique story and significance, will be our celestial landmarks. Our first stop on this cosmic odyssey is Pollux, the celestial twin of Castor, found in the constellation Gemini. As we gaze upon Pollux, we'll delve into the myths and science surrounding this luminous gem and its celestial sibling. Next, we'll set our course for Arcturus, the "Bear Guardian," a brilliant star in the constellation Bootes. Arcturus, like a cosmic lighthouse, has guided travellers for centuries and beckons us to explore its stellar neighbourhood. The fiery and unpredictable Betelgeuse in Orion will capture our attention next. As one of the brightest and most variable stars in the night sky, Betelgeuse has mystified and intrigued stargazers throughout history. Rigel, Orion's "Left Foot," will be our fourth stop. This dazzling blue star stands in stark contrast to Betelgeuse and holds its own unique allure. Then, we'll navigate to Sirius, the "Dog Star," in the constellation Canis Major. Brighter than any other star, Sirius has been revered by various cultures and holds a special place in the history of astronomy. As we venture into the cosmic ocean, we will also encounter other celestial wonders like Antares, the heart of Scorpius, and Regulus, the regal star in Leo. Each of these stars has its own tale to tell, and in these pages, we will uncover their secrets. But this almanac is not just about stargazing; it's about understanding the cosmos, embracing the stories woven into the night sky, and kindling the flames of curiosity. It's about exploring the science, mythology, and wonder that surround these celestial beacons. With this almanac in hand, you will embark on a journey of discovery, whether you are a seasoned astronomer or a novice stargazer. Together, we will navigate the night sky, uncovering the mysteries of the stars, and forging a deeper connection with the cosmos. So, dear readers and fellow stargazers, let us embark on this celestial adventure, guided by the stars that have ignited the human imagination for eons. The universe awaits, and the "Stargazers' Almanac" will be your trusted map to the wonders of the night sky.
