Let's Find Out! Space

The wide range of planets in our small solar system alone is remarkable--giant planets; dwarf planets; rocky, watery, and gaseous planets; frigid planets and blazing-hot planets; and planets surrounded by rings or multiple moons. Then travel beyond our solar system and begin exploring the so-called exoplanets, and the variety is even more dazzling. Even readers who think they know everything about planets will find much to intrigue, excite, and thrill them here, including fascinating facts, the latest findings, and eye-popping, full-color, high-definition photos and explanatory graphics. A must-have foundational resource for every burgeoning space scientist.

The Milky Way is just one of billions of galaxies in the universe. Yet by exploring the galaxy we call home, we have been able to uncover some of the universe's many unknowns. This illuminating volume carefully breaks down the features of the Milky Way galaxy. It explains such characteristics as size, shape, and age; examines planets, stars, and star clusters; and delves into such concepts as black holes and dark matter. Important terms are explained, and, throughout the text, readers are invited to think critically about pertinent questions and concepts.

This simple guide to the sun and stars will engage readers with the fundamentals of astronomy, detailing how the heavenly bodies affect one another and how they ultimately affect us. The material covers basic science curriculum for this reading level, making it an important supplement for students who want to study independently, teachers who want to provide supplemental materials, or readers who simply want to know more about the universe. The accessible and straightforward language makes this volume and intriguing read.

Readers discover the difference between natural and human-made satellites in this entertaining volume. The narrative reveals fun facts about various moons in the Earth's solar system, such as Earth's moon and how it might have been formed, the moons of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and those of the dwarf planet Pluto. It also explains the terms "orbit," "spin," "rotation," and "eclipse." The volume provides "Think About It" boxes to pose questions for readers' consideration. There are also vocabulary boxes and "Compare and Contrast" sidebars to engage readers' intellect.

When people think of objects in the sky, they may think of planets, the sun, moon, and constellations. Many other bodies orbit Earth and the sun, however. The sky below Earth's atmosphere holds many interesting objects as well. We may not need a telescope to see them, but they are no less awe-inspiring. Readers are introduced to the dazzling phenomena of stars, galaxies, lightning, meteoroids, comets, auroras, rainbows, black holes, and even satellites and space junk. Any reader who has ever looked up at the sky in awe and wonder will find much to thrill to in these pages.

To bring some semblance of order to the vast night sky, ancient astronomers assigned patterns to the stars that shown around them. These became known as constellations. This book provides insight into the scientific aspects of constellations as star maps and navigation tools as well as more fanciful interpretations, including a discussion of the zodiac. The stories associated with some of the most recognizable constellations and boxed inserts posing questions that drive readers to further investigation round out the coverage.