The Big Backyard: The Solar System beyond Pluto

Miller, Ron

ISBN 10: 1728475341 ISBN 13: 9781728475349

Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books ™, 2023

Synopsis

Thousands of years ago, humans believed that Earth was the center of the universe, that the world they lived on was all there was. Truthfully, the solar system extends almost halfway to the nearest star. And it is composed of not only planets, asteroids, and comets, but also powerful forces and vast fields of energy. This is our solar system’s big backyard.

The cold, dark world that lies at the farthest reaches of our solar system holds a vast collection of secrets, and for most of human history, we had no idea anything was out there. But, driven by curiosity and equipped with new technology, astronomers have determined that beyond the orbit of Neptune are countless icy comets, strange particles that dance under the influence of the sun, and signs of undiscovered planets. To learn more about these far-flung objects, scientists have finally begun to explore the distant solar system, finding answers to age-old questions at the same time that they encounter new mysteries.

With Ron Miller’s incredible illustrations and photographs from NASA probes and telescopes, The Big Backyard takes us on a tour through the solar system’s most obscure neighborhoods and into its darkest corners, to places beyond the limits of the human eye. Miller expertly describes the formation of the solar system and the history of the exploration of the outer solar system before delving into the latest discoveries and missions. Read on to learn what sorts of objects orbit at such extreme distances, what happens at the boundary between the sun’s influence and interstellar space, whether there is such a thing as the mysterious Planet X, and how life on Earth could not exist without the happenings at the edge of the solar system.

About this title

About the Author

Ron Miller has worked as a freelance writer and illustrator for more than 30 years. Many of his illustrations appear in magazines like Astronomy and Scientific American. He has also worked on motion pictures and created postage stamps. (One of his stamps is attached to a spacecraft headed for the planet Pluto!) He has also written short stories and novels and has even created a comic book.

Reviews

Gr 9 Up—Hugo award-winning author and illustrator Miller brings his experience illustrating for NASA to this engaging book, taking curious readers on a fact-filled tour of the outer reaches of our solar system. Readers learn about the many unmanned missions that have contributed to the body of knowledge on the solar system, including the equipment scientists used to capture important readings that allowed NASA to study far-flung objects and planets. When describing the atmosphere of Pluto or the terrain of a comet, Miller includes the collected data that assisted astrophysicists in reaching their conclusions, written in an easy-to-understand way. While Miller shows how much we have learned about our solar system, he also makes clear how much there is left to learn. There are great mysteries at the edge of the solar system that continue to engage scientists and are waiting for the next generation of young astronomers. Illustrations and charts are found throughout. Back matter includes a glossary; an index; a bibliography; an extensive selection of books, magazines, and websites for further reading; and source notes. VERDICT This book is for students with an interest in astronomy. It is packed with information but also thoroughly entertaining, and is highly recommended.—Cathy DeCampli

Edition details

• Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books ™
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1728475341
• ISBN 13: 9781728475349
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 104