planets

The past few years have seen an incredible explosion in our knowledge of the universe. Since its 2009 launch, the Kepler satellite has discovered more than two thousand exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system. More exoplanets are being discovered all the time, and even more remarkable than the sheer number of exoplanets is their variety. In Exoplanets, astronomer Michael Summers and physicist James Trefil explore these remarkable recent discoveries: planets revolving around pulsars, planets made of diamond, planets that are mostly water, and numerous rogue planets wandering through the emptiness of space. This captivating book reveals the latest discoveries and argues that the incredible richness and complexity we are finding necessitates a change in our questions and mental paradigms. In short, we have to change how we think about the universe and our place in it, because it is stranger and more interesting than we could have imagined.

This fresh and fun guide to the universe is the perfect resource for inquisitive kids.

"A song illustrating the major characteristics of the planets in [the] solar system"--Capstone website.

Presents the story of the scientists who are exploring beyond our solar system, featuring the intrigue and excitement behind their missions.

Introduces the superheroes who comprise the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Join the LEGO minifigures on a journey to our solar system and beyond, where they see incredible stars and planets, and find out the latest space facts, from water on Mars to Planet X.

Zack and his father are invited to join the Nebulon Navigators as they set out to return a lost baby pterosaur to the Prehistoric Planet, where Zack sees animals and plants he had only read about in books.

Presents twenty trivia facts about rocky planets.

"The reclassification of Pluto in 2006 not only decreased the number of planets in our solar system by one but also introduced the new category of dwarf planet. Readers will come to understand what separates a dwarf planet from a planet, or for that matter from any of the other bodies found within the solar system. They'll learn about Pluto itself, as well as its fellow dwarf planets, Ceres, Makemake, Haumea, and Eris"--Provided by publisher.

Tours the planets and solar system, describing the key characteristics of each planet, and explaining the theories of important astronomers of the past, including Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Newton, and includes an activity that shows how gravity keeps the planets of the solar system in orbit of the Sun.