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Planets, Stars, and Galaxies: A Visual Encyclopedia of Our Universe
Finally, it's here! The farthest reaches of our universe captured in atlas form for young readers. Planets, Stars, and Galaxies is the space book that pushes the boundaries of man's ultimate frontier. The engaging, educational text, written in collaboration with National Geographic experts, includes the latest discoveries about our universe; while specially commissioned artwork by the author illuminates page after page.
Exciting as well as enlightening, Planets, Stars, and Galaxies belongs on every family bookshelf, providing easy reference for school reports and compelling reading on the myriad mysteries beyond our world. With vivid illustrations and superb photography, this beautiful book puts the wonders of space into every child's hands. This engaging, provocative reference work
• the new solar system including dwarf planets Pluto, Ceres, and Eris;
• the latest developments in space exploration, science, and research—how a star is born and dies, "weird worlds," the "galactic zoo," and more;
• fun facts about space and amazing new images—Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, and Hubble's deep-space view;
• first-hand accounts from scientists and astronauts—what it's like to study the universe and to live in space;
• a fascinating look into our future in What space travel might hold in a reader's own lifetime—moon colonies, hotels on Mars? How will the universe end?
• questions to ponder, such as "Is there other life in the universe?"
• an illustrated timeline of space research and exploration, star charts, moon maps, fact boxes, and helpful scientific diagrams.
Exciting as well as enlightening, Planets, Stars, and Galaxies belongs on every family bookshelf, providing easy reference for school reports and compelling reading on the myriad mysteries beyond our world. With vivid illustrations and superb photography, this beautiful book puts the wonders of space into every child's hands. This engaging, provocative reference work
• the new solar system including dwarf planets Pluto, Ceres, and Eris;
• the latest developments in space exploration, science, and research—how a star is born and dies, "weird worlds," the "galactic zoo," and more;
• fun facts about space and amazing new images—Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, and Hubble's deep-space view;
• first-hand accounts from scientists and astronauts—what it's like to study the universe and to live in space;
• a fascinating look into our future in What space travel might hold in a reader's own lifetime—moon colonies, hotels on Mars? How will the universe end?
• questions to ponder, such as "Is there other life in the universe?"
• an illustrated timeline of space research and exploration, star charts, moon maps, fact boxes, and helpful scientific diagrams.
192 pages, Library Binding
First published October 9, 2007
About the author
David A. Aguilar
18 books10 followersDavid A. Aguilar is past Director of Science Information and Public Outreach at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, MA. A naturalist, astronomer, author and space artist, David’s expertise lies in showing us the fascinating connections between the universe and ourselves.
In 2015 he joined NASA's New Horizons Mission team to lead special media coverage for the historic PLUTO Flyby.
He is author and illustrator of seven National Geographic Society and three Random House Penguin books on space science.
2017's "7 Wonders of the Solar System" has garnered 2 book awards from the Nat'l Science Teachers Assoc, and the New York Public Library.
Other titles include: "Cosmic Catastrophes: Seven Ways to Destroy a Planet Like Earth"; ALIEN WORLDS" which examines just how surreal alien life may be throughout the Universe; "SPACE ENCYCLOPEDIA" winner of the 2008 VOYA (Voice of Youth) Award; 13 PLANETS - winner of the 2011 Eureka Gold Award for best science book for kids; and the upcoming "7 Wonders of the Milky Way" for release in June 2018.
His books and space art have appeared on the BBC, the “UNIVERSE” series on the History Channel, ABC Nightly News, Time magazine, US News & World Report CNN, NY Times, USA Today, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, Astronomy, and Scientific American.
He is past Director of Fiske Planetarium and Science Center and the producer of the Science Discovery Program at University of Colorado Boulder; past Marketing Communications Director at Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation; and former Marketing Director for PBS’s Emmy-winning NOVA series, Evolution.
He is a Smithsonian Scholar Enrichment Lecturer and Harvard Expert Study Tour Leader. In 2010, asteroid 1990DA was named to honor his contributions to science education.
David and wife Shirley reside just outside Aspen, CO. For more information please flyby our site at: www.aspenskies.com or davidaguilar.org
In 2015 he joined NASA's New Horizons Mission team to lead special media coverage for the historic PLUTO Flyby.
He is author and illustrator of seven National Geographic Society and three Random House Penguin books on space science.
2017's "7 Wonders of the Solar System" has garnered 2 book awards from the Nat'l Science Teachers Assoc, and the New York Public Library.
Other titles include: "Cosmic Catastrophes: Seven Ways to Destroy a Planet Like Earth"; ALIEN WORLDS" which examines just how surreal alien life may be throughout the Universe; "SPACE ENCYCLOPEDIA" winner of the 2008 VOYA (Voice of Youth) Award; 13 PLANETS - winner of the 2011 Eureka Gold Award for best science book for kids; and the upcoming "7 Wonders of the Milky Way" for release in June 2018.
His books and space art have appeared on the BBC, the “UNIVERSE” series on the History Channel, ABC Nightly News, Time magazine, US News & World Report CNN, NY Times, USA Today, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, Astronomy, and Scientific American.
He is past Director of Fiske Planetarium and Science Center and the producer of the Science Discovery Program at University of Colorado Boulder; past Marketing Communications Director at Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation; and former Marketing Director for PBS’s Emmy-winning NOVA series, Evolution.
He is a Smithsonian Scholar Enrichment Lecturer and Harvard Expert Study Tour Leader. In 2010, asteroid 1990DA was named to honor his contributions to science education.
David and wife Shirley reside just outside Aspen, CO. For more information please flyby our site at: www.aspenskies.com or davidaguilar.org
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 17, 2019
80%
Well written and easy to understand basic encyclopedia of the universe. Good for beginners.
Well written and easy to understand basic encyclopedia of the universe. Good for beginners.
February 24, 2017
A visual way to learn about space, planets, life, etc... Fun with its speculation and clear with its explanations. This book couldn't be better (unless it was updated).
June 3, 2012
My son loves this book. Inspired him to build a homemade telescope like the author did as a child.
November 7, 2016
Book Review
The book “Planets, Stars, and Galaxies A Visual Encyclopedia of Our Universe is about a basic introduction to the known universe. This book contains information about the solar system and how the cycle of our sun is working. It also talks about different types of asteroids and how there is not much known about black holes.
The book's main topic is an encyclopedia on space. The main points in the book are our solar system, the sun and there being other forms of intelligent life. Our solar system has a total of 8 planets unless you count pluto. The Sun has a cycle where at some point it will get so big that it will explode and all of mankind will die, but there are still 5 billion years left before that were to happen. According to scientist no matter what you believe there is extraterrestrial life just because of the size of the universe.
The book is an informative reading. There is much information on the basics of the Universe. The bad parts to the book is that there is still more information that is needed in order to know more about. An example could be that it needs to talk about neutron stars and what the effects are.
In total the book is good and should be read by people intended to learn more about the universe outside of our solar system. I give it a 8 out of 10. What I learned from the book was that there are many interesting things that go on around us in space at this very moment.
The book “Planets, Stars, and Galaxies A Visual Encyclopedia of Our Universe is about a basic introduction to the known universe. This book contains information about the solar system and how the cycle of our sun is working. It also talks about different types of asteroids and how there is not much known about black holes.
The book's main topic is an encyclopedia on space. The main points in the book are our solar system, the sun and there being other forms of intelligent life. Our solar system has a total of 8 planets unless you count pluto. The Sun has a cycle where at some point it will get so big that it will explode and all of mankind will die, but there are still 5 billion years left before that were to happen. According to scientist no matter what you believe there is extraterrestrial life just because of the size of the universe.
The book is an informative reading. There is much information on the basics of the Universe. The bad parts to the book is that there is still more information that is needed in order to know more about. An example could be that it needs to talk about neutron stars and what the effects are.
In total the book is good and should be read by people intended to learn more about the universe outside of our solar system. I give it a 8 out of 10. What I learned from the book was that there are many interesting things that go on around us in space at this very moment.
November 29, 2018
I like his book because is taking about planets and galaxies and star.i would recommend book a 10 because for me and the summary is taking about galaxies about all about planets because of to learn about mars and about stars like the scientists is taking about sky-gazers are learning more about it every day.i recommend to the people and everyone that wrote is books
August 17, 2020
Very good
September 28, 2022
I enjoyed this book thoroughly I would recommend this to anyone who would be interested in reading up on astronomy whether they be a kid or an adult. No pun but 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
February 9, 2014
Fairly good book, but had some annoying inconsistencies. To give just a few examples, a sidebar on Galileo mentions four of Jupiter's moons that he discovered. The author states that one of those moons, Ganymede, is the largest moon in the entire solar system, but accompanies this statement with a "comparative" graphic showing Ganymede as smaller than our moon, Europa and possibly even Io. So which is right? Another example regards the number of estimated stars in the Milky Way. The author states in several places that the estimated number is 400 billion, which seems higher than other estimates I've heard. He later estimates the number at 200 billion, which is more in line with other estimates. So again, the reader is left to wonder which "fact" is right, and what other errors are in the book. Maybe it's just sloppy editing and not the authors fault, but in any case the book doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
April 30, 2008
Recommended for gr. 4-9. A very readable introduction to the solar system and beyond. It is updated to label Pluto and others as dwarf planets. Well illustrated with photographs and artistic conceptions of astronomical objects. About ¼ of the book is devoted to the solar system, another ½ to the stars and beyond. There are small sections on possible life in the universe and on the possible future of space exploration. There is also a forward, table of contents, several interesting time lines, glossary, index and additional reading and web sites. Note: a 2006 SLJ review noted some minor inaccuracies in this book.
March 30, 2009
This author also wrote 11 Planets, and a few illustrations were use in both books. All of the artwork is beautiful, and I love the way this book is organized.
It's divided into five main sections: What We Know, Tour of the Solar System, To the Stars and Beyond, Are We Alone, and Dreams of Tomorrow. The last two sections are more in the realm of SciFi, but it adds inspiration on top of the information, and I'm glad to see them included.
As for being up to date, the publication date was 2007, so Makemake and Haumea are not included.
It's divided into five main sections: What We Know, Tour of the Solar System, To the Stars and Beyond, Are We Alone, and Dreams of Tomorrow. The last two sections are more in the realm of SciFi, but it adds inspiration on top of the information, and I'm glad to see them included.
As for being up to date, the publication date was 2007, so Makemake and Haumea are not included.
October 8, 2007
The very science-fiction and breathtakingly beautiful illustrations are definitely a strength. The text is easy to understand and just the right amount for browsing and scanning. You can read it straight through as well, following the imaginary journey of a futuristic spacecraft. I thoroughly enjoyed this impressive title.
October 30, 2008
There are only a few really good astronomy books for children and students and this one is the best. Published by National Georgraphic, it has good writing and stunning photographs and illustrations. It just might entice some kids to become astronomers.
January 30, 2008
AMAZING - what kind of interns did they have working on this book?
March 19, 2008
Reviewed for VOYA
December 12, 2013
just loved it .
Want to Read
November 7, 2014Ok
July 14, 2015
No wonder I like the book so much. The age range is 10 and up; the grade level is 5 and up. Nevertheless, it is a great general introduction to the subject.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews