Product Description
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 includes: 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 space: 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.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 5 reviews)

Love this book! by Cleo (Texas)

5 Stars
May 30, 2009
I purchased this book so my 8 year old son and I could spend some quality time together doing something we both love, learning about the stars. This book is excellent. It is filled with the most beautiful pictures and is written in a way that kids and adults can enjoy reading together or apart. My son and I enjoy learning about the planets, galaxies, stars, and everything in between. This book is very educational and fun. If you have a child(7-14)who is interested in space, they will love this book.

Matthew's Christmas present by Claudia Lynne Pittman (Kenner, LA United States)

5 Stars
December 20, 2008
Bought this for my 9yr old grandson who has taken a real interest in the stars. Hope this will help him begin a real study of the heavens.

Beautiful Primer on Astronomy by A. Courie (Freedom's Fortress)

4 Stars
September 08, 2008
David Aguilar's "Planets, Stars, and Galaxies: A Visual Encyclopedia of Our Universe" is a beautiful and well-done book that does a very good job giving a general overview of the latest astronomical knowledge. This book even includes the latest on the new designation of dwarf planets and Pluto's demotion. The book is full of beautiful photos and computer illustrations of the planets, nebulae, neutron stars, and galaxies. These illustrations really bring the book to life. They are enhanced by well-written, informative text. Although this is a great book, I do have a couple of criticisms. The first is that the tour of the solar system is done through a narrative device: a spaceship that flies from Earth to the sun and then back out. Venus is thus covered first, followed by Mercury, the sun, then Mars, then (after the rest of the planets are covered) finishing with Earth. While that is consistent with the narrative device, it's confusing to anyone just scanning the book. Also, there are a handful of errors in the book: The book states that Mars is the closest planet to the Earth; on one chart, Jupiter's moons are incorrectly labeled (my 3 year-old correctly identified the pictures, but I mistakenly corrected him based on the incorrect labels); Callisto is referred to in one place as "Saturn's moon;" and the book states that Voyager 1 and 2 visited Jupiter in 1973. I was surprised to see such obvious errors get past the editors and appear in a National Geographic book. I bought for my three year-old, who has fallen in love with the planets and stars. Although the book is a bit advanced for him, the beautiful illustrations and straightforward text make this a wonderful book to own.

Galactic guide book by Camille (Katy, TX)

5 Stars
February 28, 2008
David Aguilar describes the planets of our solar system as well as dark matter, neutron stars, nebula, and many other phenomena of space in this book. What makes this book different from others on the subject, are the glowing illustrations that Aguilar created from NASA and telescope photographs . The photos are enhanced and Photoshopped to offer a "you are there" presence to the reader. What would it feel like to be in the middle of the Kuiper Belt? Well, pages 62 and 63 give us an idea. Imaginative space ships tour planets and space suited explorers stand on the surface of one of Jupiter's moons. Aguilar fills the text with factual information. He explains how a star burns in a graphic that depicts the collision of two protons and the release of energy that is starlight. The location of supernova, nebula and other objects are marked in constellation maps when they are visible through binoculars. The author has projected reader into the galaxy, traveling exploring and experiencing the wonders of the universe. We live in a time when the Space Shuttle program seems routine and low Earth orbit is the best we can do. The book could fire the imagination of kids who have seen the spectacular images of the space telescopes and now think, "been there-done that." Chapters, "Are we Alone?" and "Dreams of Tomorrow" ponder what is "alien life" and ideas for the future of space engineering. This book fires the imagination and could also inspire a young person today to look skyward.

Planet, Stars and Galaxies: A Visual Encyclopedia of Our Universe by A. Jannes (Henrietta, NY USA)

4 Stars
December 28, 2007
Bought this book for my 8 year old daughter and it was a BIG hit! Great pictures, very colorful and fun. Not too much information over load, just enough to keep her wanting to read and turn the pages. I would not classify this book as a child's book but it is a good book for 8 years old and up.

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