Cosmic Catastrophes: Seven Ways to Destroy a Planet Like Earth (Smithsonian) - Hardcover

Aguilar, David A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0451476840 ISBN 13: 9780451476845

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers, 2016

Synopsis

In the vast realm of outer space, accidents happen all the time. Things bump into each other. Stars blow up. Space rocks smash into planets. Black holes gobble up everything in their path. The sun is burning out. A comet swarm is bearing down. Any of this could change—or even eliminate—life on a planet like Earth.

Countdown to cosmic catastrophes!

From asteroid hit to alien invasion, astronomer David Aguilar builds the scientific case for seven extreme events that could impact Earth. (Though not as we know it: most of these catastrophes are way down the cosmic line . . . we hope!) He tells an exciting nonfiction story about how and why these space catastrophes could happen and then creates beautiful, original art to show just how devastatingly spectacular it will be when any one of these seven “big ones” hit!

The SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION is the world’s largest museum and research complex. Founded in 1846, it includes nineteen museum and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. Its vast collections house 138 million artifacts, specimens, and works of art, which represent our nation’s rich heritage, art from across the globe, and the immense diversity of the natural and cultural world.

About this title

About the Author

David Aguilar is an astronomer, artist, author of several notable books on space for children. He is the former Director of Science Information for the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. As a member of the New Horizons Spacecraft Team, he handled the media coverage of the Pluto fly-by. He lives with his wife outside Aspen Colorado, where he’s built his own observatory. Asteroid 1990DA was named in his honor by the International Astronomical Union.

You can learn more at aspenskies.com.

From School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—Using scientific principles and reasoning, Aguilar speculates on seven potentially cataclysmic events that could happen to Earth, ranging from asteroid strikes to alien invasions. Aguilar relates his hypothetical scenarios to real-life events when possible; for instance, the chapter on comets includes a discussion of the probable comet impact in Tunguska, Siberia, in 1908. The content is chilling, compelling, and clearly explained. Aguilar does take measure to reassure readers of the unlikeliness of most of these events happening anytime soon. Information on scientists who actively track asteroids, comets, and the like is also provided. The author merges his scientific expertise with his talents in Adobe Photoshop to create the majority of the dazzling images. The final section of the book offers a look into Aguilar's studio and a step-by-step overview of how he produced the digital illustrations. A handful of photographs are also featured, including a sepia-tone image of the aftermath of the probable comet impact in 1908 Siberia. It should be noted that the section "Asteroid Hit" incorrectly lists February 13, 2014, as the day the asteroid hit Chelyabinsk Oblast. The actual event took place on February 15, 2013. VERDICT A wild and thought-provoking look at what potential calamities await our planet. A good addition for collections in need of browsables titles on space.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0451476840
• ISBN 13: 9780451476845
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 80