Exploring Space: From Galileo to the Mars Rover and Beyond - Hardcover

Jenkins, Martin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763689319 ISBN 13: 9780763689315

Publisher: Candlewick, 2017

Synopsis

Launch into a truly out-of-this-world examination of the past, present, and future of humans in space.

For centuries, humans have looked up at the night sky and wondered what it’s like deep in space, far from Earth — and now we’ve begun to find out. We’ve landed on the moon, put robots on Mars, and sent space probes billions of miles to explore the far reaches of our solar system. Told in richly detailed cutaway illustrations by Stephen Biesty and friendly, engaging writing by Martin Jenkins, here is the enthralling story of how we made the great leap into space and what we’ve discovered there. Find out what life is like on the International Space Station, what the chances are that we will ever settle on Mars, where in the solar system we might find alien life, and why visiting other stars will almost certainly remain a dream. Budding astronomers, junior astronauts, and anyone who has ever gazed up at the stars in fascination will pore over this beautifully intricate yet accessible glimpse of the infinite wonders of space.

About this title

About the Author

Martin Jenkins is a conservation biologist who has written many celebrated books for children, including The Emperor’s Egg, illustrated by Jane Chapman, and Can We Save the Tiger?, illustrated by Vicky White. Martin Jenkins lives in England.

Stephen Biesty is an artist and the creator of the award-winning Cross-Section books. He has also illustrated many other books for young readers, including The Story of Buildings, written by Patrick Dillon, and Into the Unknown, written by Stewart Ross, which received a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor. Stephen Biesty lives in England with his family.

Reviews

Gr 4–8—Jenkins covers everything from ancient Greek astronomers to current scientists considering human travel to Mars. The author explains how increasingly sophisticated telescopes provided valuable data and how developments in rocket technology launched satellites and humans into space. Jenkins also discusses the influence of the Cold War on the space race and how the International Space Station has hosted scientists from five continents. The book addresses challenges and risks to astronauts living in space. While the text is readable and informative, the highlights of the oversize volume are the intricate illustrations. Large, detailed drawings, depicting, for instance, a Mars rover, a communication satellite, a space shuttle, the International Space Station, and a possible Mars colony, are supplemented by dozens of smaller images that will fascinate space buffs. For those who prefer CGI, many of these topics are tackled in the more wide-ranging DK volume Space! In addition, Robert Grayson's Exploring Space emphasizes events of the past 60 years (especially the space race), while Liz Kruesi's Space Exploration focuses on technology. VERDICT This well-crafted overview of historic and potential developments in astronomy and astronautics will hold special appeal for visual learners.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University Library, Mankato

Edition details

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0763689319
• ISBN 13: 9780763689315
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Biesty Stephen
• Number of pages: 64