Readers will be amazed by ten exciting stories of miraculous survival and tragic events in the history of space exploration. Stories include: the near-fatal journey of Uri Gagarin, Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon, the breakdown of Apollo 13, the Russian Salyut 1 space station, the space shuttle Challenger disaster, fire on board the Mir space station, and the two successful flights of SpaceShipOne. Feature boxes add additional details and help readers better understand the dangers faced by the crew on these famous missions.
Explores the engineering challenges behind building rockets, as well as the creative solutions found to overcome those challenges. Accessible text, vibrant photos, and an engineering activity for readers provide a well-rounded introduction to the engineering process.
Invites readers to investigate stories about aliens through engaging text, vibrant imagery, and clear, simple graphics.
With simple text and bold infographics, teaches beginning readers about space robots and their role in our world.
Space exploration is one of humanity's most incredible accomplishments. In just a few decades, people went from dreaming about space to actually exploring it. Space technology has helped us explore other planets and learn more about our own. It Changed the World: Invention of Space Exploration provides readers with a before-and-after look at the way the world has changed. Each book in the NGSS-aligned It Changed the World series introduces readers to some amazing inventions. Interesting facts and vivid photos show how these inventions changed, and continue to change, the lives of people around the world. Each book includes a glossary, comprehension questions, and an extension activity for further learning.
This book traces the story of the development of inventions in space technology – from the earliest steps to our current technology. It concentrates on illustrating how each breakthrough eventually led to a new one.
Have you ever wanted to visit outer space? It takes a lot of work to get ready for the journey, and there’s even more work when you get there! Find out what it takes to become an astronaut, and as well as the qualities and training needed. Features outline a day’s activities, chart a career path, and profile an important person in the field. Readers will snap up this high-interest title about a job that is truly out of this world!
The Earth is constantly bombarded with space matter. Most burns up before it reaches the surface. But what if a giant asteroid was headed our way? In this high-interest title, the end of the world becomes a reality as a massive asteroid strikes Earth! Readers can put themselves in the line of impact with a narrative opening and discover if any asteroids are on course to collide with Earth anytime soon. Features follow the chain reaction of an asteroid impact and examine past asteroid impacts. Would we be able to save ourselves?
The Sun is a major component in the existence of life on Earth. Could it also bring about the end? Energy often shoots coronal mass ejections into space. A massive CME on course for Earth could cause a solar storm with devastating results! This high-interest title explores how the world could end from a solar storm, from electrical shutdowns to disastrous food shortages. Fun facts add fascinating bonus information while the look back feature provides a glimpse into a past solar storm. Find out the science behind solar storms and what we can do to save ourselves in this world-ending title!
Retells the story and adventures of Hercules, discusses the astronomical features of the constellation Hercules, and describes the history of the constellation and its myths in world culture.
Retells the story of Ursa Major as the transformation of Callisto and Arcas, discusses the astronomical features of the constellation Ursa Major, and describes the history of the constellation and its myths in world culture including the role of the Big Dipper in the Underground Railroad.
Retells the story of Ursa Minor as the nurse of Zeus and recounts the tale of Zeus's birth and rise to power, discusses the astronomical features of the constellation Ursa Minor and the star Polaris, and describes the history of the constellation and its myths in world culture.
Introduces readers to galaxies and how they form. Learn about what is found in galaxies and different galaxy shapes. Includes step-by-step instructions to make a galaxy in a jar. Additional features include fun facts, a table of contents, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.
It's 1969 and Marty's family lives on the U.S. island of Guam, where his father manages the NASA tracking station. It's important work and never more so than during the Apollo 11 space mission, where the tracking station relays signals back and forth between the astronauts and Mission Control in Houston, Texas. Along with the rest of the world, Marty listens to every mission update, including the historic landing on the moon and astronaut Neil Armstrong's first steps. But during Apollo 11's return to Earth, something goes wrong. There is a problem with the tracking station's antenna during the final hours of the mission. The problem must be resolved--the antenna is the only way Mission Control can communicate with the astronauts before Apollo 11 splashes down. Marty finds himself playing a key role in helping bring the craft safely back to Earth. Based on actual events, young readers get a front-row seat to this historic event in this new entry in the Tales of Young Americans series.
Pluto is a dwarf planet with three known moons - Hydra, Nix, and Charon. Children will explore Pluto's physical features, its position in the solar system, and why it is no longer considered a planet. Blastoff! Series
Twenty-five times faster than the speed of sound, rockets are high-speed space delivery machines. Every week, at least one rocket launches into space from somewhere in the world! This title will boost the knowledge of reluctant readers as it breaks down space rockets.
Debris from space is hurtling toward the school. Paisley and pals scramble to build something to divert disaster.
Earth is the only home humans have ever known. But there is so much to learn about it! From what the planet is made of to how it likely formed, this informative title will take readers on a journey around the blue planet. Through fact-filled text, special features, and plenty of fun facts, readers will learn all about Earth’s place in the universe!
Jupiter is the biggest planet in the solar system! This gas giant is also one of the most fascinating. From its famous Great Red Spot to its dozens of moons, Jupiter holds several mysteries for the scientists who study it. This fascinating title will show readers that Jupiter is as interesting as it is huge!
Neptune is the outermost planet in the solar system! It may look a calm blue, but this huge planet is swirling with activity. A thick layer of clouds gives way to whirls of rocks and ice. There may even be an ocean beneath its clouds! For readers with an interest in space exploration, this Neptune title is sure to fascinate. Colorful photos, fun facts, and special features make this book one worth checking out!
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun! It may be small, but it is full of extremes. Temperatures range between -300 and 800 degrees Fahrenheit! As it zooms around the Sun every 88 days, the speedy planet is hard to spot. This informative title shows some of the many mysteries scientists have uncovered about Mercury. Its colorful photos, fun facts, and special features are sure to delight any reader interested in space!
Journey to the red planet! Given its similarity to Earth, Mars has long fascinated humans. Today, we are closer than ever to unlocking the mysteries of how Mars formed and whether the planet once held life. Filled with fun facts, special features, and informative text, this title will fascinate anyone who has ever dreamed of traveling to the red planet.
In 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet. Small, rocky dwarf planets make their home on the outer edges of the solar system. Scientists use telescopes to study Pluto and the dwarf planets as they orbit the Sun. Their fascinating findings are on display in this informative title about some of the solar system’s most far-away objects!
Is there an Earth twin hiding in the stars? Sara Seager is on a mission to find out! The astrophysicist is leading the quest to explore planets beyond our solar system. Early readers can discover more about Sara’s life and scientific work in this engaging biography.
Shining stars! What is a star, anyway? Take a trip through the starry sky to learn all about constellations, what happens when stars explode, and learn more about the star closest to us: the sun! Stories by Ken Croswell, Ph.D. and Highlights for Children.
