What is the surface of Mars like? Why does Venus glow in the dark? How do scientists explore faraway planets? In this book, you'll find out the answers and lots more fascinating facts about he Solar System.
Long before Galileo published his discoveries about Jupiter, lunar craters, and the Milky Way in the Starry Messenger in 1610, people were fascinated with the planets and stars around them. That interest continues today, and scientists are making new discoveries at an astounding rate. Ancient lake beds on Mars, robotic spacecraft missions, and new definitions of planets now dominate the news. How can you take it all in? Start with the new Encyclopedia of the Solar System, Second Edition. This self-contained reference follows the trail blazed by the bestselling first edition. It provides a framework for understanding the origin and evolution of the solar system, historical discoveries, and details about planetary bodies and how they interact—and has jumped light years ahead in terms of new information and visual impact. Offering more than 50% new material, the Encyclopedia includes the latest explorations and observations, hundreds of new color digital images and illustrations, and more than 1,000 pages. It stands alone as the definitive work in this field, and will serve as a modern messenger of scientific discovery and provide a look into the future of our solar system. · Forty-seven chapters from 75+ eminent authors review fundamental topics as well as new models, theories, and discussions · Each entry is detailed and scientifically rigorous, yet accessible to undergraduate students and amateur astronomers · More than 700 full-color digital images and diagrams from current space missions and observatories amplify the chapters · Thematic chapters provide up-to-date coverage, including a discussion on the new International Astronomical Union (IAU) vote on the definition of a planet · Information is easily accessible with numerous cross-references and a full glossary and index
In this stellar activity book, kids delve into the rich history of space exploration, where telescopes, satellites, probes, landers, and human missions lead to amazing discoveries. Updated to include the recent discovery of Eris which, along with Pluto, has been newly classified as a &“dwarf planet&” by the International Astronomical Union, this cosmic adventure challenges kids to explore the planets and other celestial bodies for themselves through activities such as building a model of a comet using soil, molasses, dry ice, and window cleaner; or creating their own reentry vehicle to safely return an egg to Earth's surface. With biographies of more than 20 space pioneers, specific mission details, a 20-page field guide to the solar system, and plenty of suggestions for further research, this is the ultimate guidebook to exploring the solar system.
Ongoing advances in Solar System exploration continue to reveal its splendour and diversity in remarkable detail. This undergraduate-level textbook presents fascinating descriptions and colour images of the bodies in the Solar System, the processes that occur upon and within them, and their origins and evolution. It highlights important concepts and techniques in boxed summaries, while questions and exercises are embedded at appropriate points throughout the text, with full solutions provided. Written and edited by a team of practising planetary scientists, this third edition has been updated to reflect our current knowledge. It is ideal for introductory courses on the subject, and is suitable for self-study. The text is supported by online resources, hosted at www.cambridge.org/solarsystem3, which include selected figures from the book, self-assessment questions and sample tutor assignments, with outlines of suggested answers.
Tracing the evolution of humankind's pursuit of astronomical knowledge, this resource looks deep into the furthest reaches of space. Children will follow along as the realization that the Earth is not at the center of the universe leads all the way up to recent telescopic proof of planets orbiting stars outside the solar system. In addition to its engaging history, this book contains 21 hands-on projects to further explore the subjects discussed. Readers will build a three-dimensional representation of the constellation Orion, see how the universe expands using an inflating balloon, and construct a reflecting telescope out of a makeup mirror and a magnifying glass. It also includes small biographies of famous astronomers, a time line of major scientific discoveries, a glossary of technical terms, and dozens of full-color images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.
Blast off on an exploration of outer space with this colorful solar system book for kids 3-5 Get little astronomers excited about the cosmos—from the bright and burning sun, to our own blue Earth, stormy Neptune, and every planet in between. With this incredible exploration of planets for preschool and kindergarten kids, curious learners will discover the ultimate solar system book, featuring amazing pictures and fascinating facts about what makes each planet so special, including its size, distance from the sun, what the surface is like, how many moons it has, and more! Go beyond other planet books for kids with: BIG, BEAUTIFUL IMAGES: Vibrant photos and illustrations will take kids deep into space—no telescope required. ASTRONOMY FOR KIDS: Learn all about the eight planets in our solar system, plus dwarf planets Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake. FUN SPACE FACTS: Did you know the bubbles in soda are the same gas that's on Venus? Out of this world facts will make this toddler space book a hit! Show kids the amazing universe that surrounds them with My First Book of Planets.
A new frontier in our solar system opened with the discovery of the Kuiper Belt and the extensive population of icy bodies orbiting beyond Neptune. Today the study of all of these bodies, collectively referred to as trans-Neptunian objects, reveals them to be frozen time capsules from the earliest epochs of solar system formation. This new volume in the Space Science Series, with one hundred contributing authors, offers the most detailed and up-to-date picture of our solar systemÕs farthest frontier. Our understanding of trans-Neptunian objects is rapidly evolving and currently constitutes one of the most active research fields in planetary sciences. The Solar System Beyond Neptune brings the reader to the forefront of our current understanding and points the way to further advancement in the field, making it an indispensable resource for researchers and students in planetary science.
The Solar System is an incredible neighborhood centered around one very important star called the Sun. Discover the many amazing objects that call the Solar System home! In this simple Solar System book for kindergarten and first grade, kids are introduced to basic space concepts that are made easy to follow and remember. Starting at the Sun and working outward through the planets and belts, children will discover space objects and follow the flow of the solar wind, taking a fun and informative tour of the Solar System. Both boys and girls ages 5-8 will love the bright, colorful images of the planets and objects brought to life as characters, making learning more enjoyable and engaging. Kids will enjoy learning facts with the imaginatively illustrated Sun and planets that help build a love of learning while simultaneously presenting educational and scientific facts. Large print and easy to follow information tell all about the solar system for kids at preschool level learning. Travel the Solar System in an imaginary spaceship that tours the planets, and both belts, all the way to where the Solar System ends, and interstellar space begins. How many planets are in the Solar System? What type of planets are they? What happens to the solar wind? Have any spacecraft made it out of the Solar System? Where does the Solar System end? Find the answer to these questions and many more. I Am the Solar System is an excellent book for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first graders just beginning to understand the basic concepts of the Solar System they are part of.I Am the Solar System, along with the numerous other books in the I Am series are a great addition to the Montessori method of teaching. The I Am series is geared toward scientific learning and independent thought. An excellent companion for Montessori classroom activities and as a stand alone read aloud.
Born almost 5 billion years ago at the edge of the Milky Way galaxy, our Solar System is a place filled with mystery and wonder. In the last fifty years, we have learned more than ever about the farthest reaches of our world. With dramatic full-color photographs and spacecraft images, Our Solar System takes young readers on a fascinating tour of the sun, the eight planets, and their moons, plus asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. Award-winning science writer Seymour Simon has teamed up with the Smithsonian Institution on this new, updated edition of his much admired book about the vast and mystifying part of the universe that we live in.