Exploring the Solar System: A History With 22 Activities

Mary Kay Carson

ISBN 10: 1435261828 ISBN 13: 9781435261822

Publisher: Paw Prints 2008-04-18, 2008

Synopsis

Winner of the 2009 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Children’s Literature Award.

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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About this title

About the Author

May Kay Carson has written more than 15 nonfiction books for children, including The Underground Railroad for Kids and The Wright Brothers for Kids.

From School Library Journal

Grade 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
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Edition details

• Publisher: Paw Prints 2008-04-18
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1435261828
• ISBN 13: 9781435261822
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 168