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Summary
Summary
Winner of the 2009 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Children's Literature Award. nbsp; How do we know that Mars is covered in rusty dust, that a day on Venus lasts longer than its year, and that Neptune has 13 moons? Human exploration! Exploring the Solar System relates the rich history of space exploration using telescopes, satellites, probes, landers, and human missions. This book has been 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. In addition to history, this book contains 22 hands-on projects to explore the planets and other celestial bodies from right here on earth. Exploring the Solar System also includes biographies of 20 space pioneers, details of specific missions, a time line, and a 20-page Field Guide to the Solar System with detailed scientific data on each of our celestial neighbors and the historic missions to visit them.
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Author Notes
Mary Kay Carson is the author of more than 15 nonfiction books for children, including The Underground Railroad for Kids , Weather Projects for Young Scientists , and The Wright Brothers for Kids .
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up-This oversize book is an intriguing and engrossing mix of facts, history, and hands-on activities. Beginning with a two-page table of contents with chapters arranged as planets in our solar system and an introductory time line, the author takes readers on a historical journey of what was known and/or discovered in each of eight time periods. Each chapter has sidebars containing biographical sketches of noteworthy astronomers and other scientists, additional information on subjects such as telescopes, and activities relating to ideas of that time. The last chapter is a projection into the next decade with the launch of New Horizons, the first spacecraft to visit Pluto. A 20-page "Field Guide to the Solar System" gives concise, pertinent information about the planets, our sun and moon, asteroids, and comets. The facts for each celestial object include its symbol, color, size, rotation, temperature, and an exploration time line. Well organized and authoritative, this title has plenty of material for research projects and reports.-Linda Wadleigh, formerly at Haymon-Morris Middle School, Winder, GA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 5-8. This handsome paperback does more than introduce our neighbors in space; it traces the history of human exploration of the solar system, and, even better, conveys a sense of the enthusiasm that often drives astronomers, engineers, and others involved in the process. The first chapter encompasses "Prehistory-1900," the next 1900-1960, with successive sections offering the history decade-by-decade into the present, then forward to the 2010s. Carson highlights the achievements of historical figures as well as contemporary space scientists, and each chapter includes a few simple activities. Good quality paper and a relatively sturdy binding make the book a more attractive and practical choice than many paperbacks. Excellent color photos and clear drawings and diagrams appear throughout the book, which concludes with a "Field Guide to the Solar System," offering fast facts and a detailed time line of exploration. Packed with information, yet highly readable, this is an exceptionally inviting guide to the solar system. --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2006 Booklist