Liftoff! Space exploration

Without the sun, our solar system would fall apart. Its gravity is what keeps planets and other celestial bodies moving in orbit. Additionally, the sun plays a big role in Earth's weather, climate, and seasons. We wouldn't know of this if we hadn't spent a lot of time over hundreds of years studying the sun! In this intriguing book, readers head to the yellow dwarf star that is our sun with satellites, probes, and through high-powered telescopes to discover the amazing information missions to and around the sun have taught NASA and other space scientists around the world.

Is there life on Mars? Could humankind eventually colonize the red planet? NASA and other space agencies have been working to answer these questions for decades. From high-powered telescopes to the Mars rovers, the tools used to explore Mars are incredible pieces of technology and what they've discovered about Mars is even more amazing. In this book, readers travel through the history of study of the fourth planet from the sun, including the missions to Mars so far and what modern scientists are doing to learn more.