The Third Planet: Exploring the Earth from Space

The award-winning science writing team of Sally Ride and Tam O'Shaughnessy take on the Earth in this beautiful book. Packed with full-color photographs of the Earth from space, this new edition explores everything that makes our home planet such a special member of the Solar System. The book details natural features like volcanoes, glaciers, and hurricanes, and also the effects of humans: dams, rainforest destruction, and city lights around the globe at night. For a unique and thorough perspective on the third planet from the sun, check this book out.

Written especially for readers ages 9-13, but a fascinating guide to our planet for readers of all ages.

Winner of the American Institute of Physics Children's Science Writing Award Parent's Choice Honor Book for Illustrations

48 pages 8 3/4" x 11 5/8" Hardcover

Sally Ride has been interested in science since she was a child. She earned bachelor’s degrees in physics and English and a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University. In 1983 she became America’s first woman astronaut when she made a six-day flight aboard the space shuttle Challenger. She made her second trip into space in 1984. Dr. Ride is now a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego. She is also founder of Imaginary Lines, a company that creates events, programs and products for young people interested in science.

Tam O’Shaughnessy and Sally Ride have been friends since they were teens competing in junior tennis tournaments. Dr. O’Shaughnessy holds a master’s degree in biology and a Ph.D. in education from the University of California, Riverside. She is a professor of education at San Diego State University. Tam and Sally have written three other children’s science books including, The Mystery of Mars and Exploring Our Solar System. They won the 1995 American Institute of Physics Children’s Science Writing Award.