Profusely illustrated with stunning full-color photos, this atlas provides a spectacular visual display of the astronomical findings provided by the newest and most advanced technology. Updated to the summer of 1992, readers will be captivated by the sophisticated leaps--and the exciting adventure--of space science.
This slim volume is full of concise information and color illustrations that will be useful in elementary and junior high school libraries. It begins with the Solar System, followed by the sun, the earth, the earth's moon, and then all other planets in order from the sun. The last third of the book explains stars, asteroids, meteorites, and galaxies. Also included are pages on using telescopes and numerous star charts. Most information is contained on two to four pages, with earth and its moon having 12 pages total. Included in these pages is information about seasons, tides, and eclipses. Numerous charts and boxes of important historical information appear on each page. There is a quiz at the end for the reader to enjoy, followed by an index.
Ridpath is the author of numerous books on astronomy, and his credentials are well respected. He uses the most current information from Voyagers 1 and 2 and the Hubble telescope. The illustrations are amazingly clear and detailed. Although far from in-depth, this work's price makes it affordable for school and small public libraries on limited budgets and a great gift for the child or amateur astronomer.