The sun, moon, stars, and planets have been a source of wonder for as long as humans have lived on earth.
In this highly visual guide to observing the sky with the naked eye, kids aged 9–14 will delve into the science behind what they see. This captivating book offers a tour of our solar system and deep space, explaining how objects like Earth's moon were formed and introducing the "why" behind phenomena such as eclipses, northern lights, and meteor showers. Sky gazers will learn how to find and observe planets - no binoculars or telescopes required - and star charts will show them how to spot constellations through the seasons and in both hemispheres.
Activities include tracking the cycles of the sun and moon and observing the sky during daylight hours or on a cloudy night. Includes profiles of professional astronomers and sidebars on space technology and current issues, such as light pollution.
This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
This rich visual guide takes readers aged 9–14 on a journey through the Earth's solar system, around the galaxy, and into deep space to learn about the moon, sun, planets, stars, and constellations. Meg Thacher is a lab instructor in Smith College's astronomy department and the academic director for the Summer Science and Engineering Program for high school girls at Smith. A regular contributor to national children's science magazines, she teaches astronomy workshops for school groups and scout troops. She has a BA in physics from Carleton College and an MS in astrophysics from Iowa State. Explore the Wonders of the Sky
The sky is a gateway to the marvels of the universe. Night and day spectacular things are happening overhead, and you don't need a telescope or binoculars to see them. With this book as your guide, take a journey through our solar system, around our galaxy, and into deep space, and experience the excitement of scientific discovery.
Know your way around the moon - understand cosmic events like eclipses, auroras, and meteor showers - learn star stories from all over the world - make your own astronomy notebook to keep track of your discoveries - and much more! Chapter 1: Step into the Sky
The Sky Belongs to Everyone
What's Up There?
Astronomy Notebook: Start a Sky Journal
Where to Sky Gaze
Darkness and Light
Finding Your Way around the Sky
Try It: Cosmic Protractor
Astronomy Notebook: Be a Weather Watcher
Light Shows
Special Effects
Try It: Watch Day Turn into Night
Night Vision
Try It: Make a Red Flashlight
Journey into Our Home Galaxy: The Milky Way
Special Event: The Aurora
A Closer Look: Binoculars
Chapter 2: The Moon
Shape-Shifter
Astronomy Notebook: Make a Moon Diary
Our One and Only Moon
Moonrise, Moonset
Moon Illusions
Try It: Do a Moondance
Sightseeing on the Moon
How the Moon Formed
Astronomy Notebook: Picture the Moon
Moon Map
Special Event: Lunar Eclipse
A Closer Look: The Moon
Chapter 3: The Sun
Sunwise
Astronomy Notebook: Make a Sunset Calendar
How Seasons Happen
Sun Paths
Telling Time by the Sun
Try It: Track the Sun
A Visit to the Sun
How the Sun Formed
Special Event: Solar Eclipse
Try It: Make a Pinhole Projector
A Closer Look: Our Sun
Chapter 4: Planets
Earth's Siblings in the Sky
Star or Planet?
Planets Inside and Outside
Sky Wanderer
Roaming around the Solar System
Try It: Make a Scale Model
Meet a Planet: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Other Dwarf Planets
Astronomy Notebook: Design Your Own Solar System
Try It: Be the Solar System
How the Solar System Formed
Special Event: Great Comet
Other Suns and Their Solar Systems
A Closer Look: The Planets
Chapter 5: Stars and Constellations
Star Light
