Astronomy

Dwarf Planets

Nine planets? That's so last century! Our solar system just got a makeover. Read the fascinating story of Pluto's demotion to a dwarf planet, and our new downsized solar system. This book draws on the latest scientific studies to present an engaging, up-to-date overview of our new solar system—its eight planets, from Mercury to Neptune; its three dwarf planets, Ceres, Pluto, and Eris; and asteroids and comets (now known as small solar system bodies).

Exoplanets

The Universe doesn't end with us. There are countless other suns out there—many, many, many, just like our own. And orbiting some of those stars are other planets—so far over 200 exoplanets have been discovered since 1995! This exciting nonfiction reader draws on the latest findings from powerful telescopes in space and on Earth to describe how astronomers detect planets beyond our solar system and what they're learning about those exoplanets and the stars they orbit.

Stars

Each tiny point of light in the night sky is actually a humongous star, much like our own Sun. This thrilling tour of the great, wide world of stars includes the different types of stars and how stars are born, live, and die. This book also describes our own star—the Sun—from its place in space and source of light and heat deep inside to its influence throughout the solar system including here on Earth.

Tools of Astronomy

Ever since ancient times, human beings have been fascinated by the night sky. Once people realized that the heavens would tell their secrets if asked the right questions, they started building tools to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. Join this thrilling tour of the tools of astronomy—from telescopes and spectrometers to cameras and computers—and the exciting discoveries made using them.