Beyond the Solar System

June 3, 2013
Carson follows 2008’s Exploring the Solar System with an in-depth study of humankind’s history with the stars above, from prehistory to the present. The book covers early studies of the heavens, the development of telescopes and other tools, changing schools of thought on the universe and how it works, and contemporary efforts to discover what lies beyond our solar system. Vocabulary terms appear in bold, and sidebars offer brief biographies of figures including Kepler, Newton, and Einstein; color photographs of galaxies and nebulas appear throughout, many from the Hubble Space Telescope. A comprehensive combination of astronomical history and science, with activities that should encourage curiosity and involvement. Ages 9–up.

May 1, 2013
Science writer Carson goes beyond the planets she described in Exploring the Solar System (2006) to survey the history of stargazing from antiquity to near-present day. Organized chronologically and moving rapidly to the 20th century, her history stresses key scientists and their discoveries. She includes the usual suspects, such as Ptolemy, Galileo, Newton, Einstein and Hubble, as well as a number of lesser-known astronomers and astrophysicists, including some women and some working today. From early proofs that planets circled the sun to the discovery of quasars, pulsars, black holes and far-distant planets, this demonstration of the growth of human awareness about the universe concludes with the reminder that what we do know is far, far outweighed by what we don't. A highly readable text is supplemented with diagrams, photographs and black-and-white illustrations, as well as biographical text boxes. Each chapter also includes step-by-step instructions for three or four hands-on activities that can support learning. From suggestions for observing the night sky or building a telescope to demonstrations of the expanding universe and the warping of the space-time fabric, teachers may find these 21 activities especially helpful, but handy readers can follow these clear directions on their own. Escaping our solar system is not easy, as Voyager has shown, but this is a useful path for budding space scientists. (glossary, resources, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2013

Gr 5-8-Beginning with a two-page time line spanning prehistory to 2009, this chronological survey of astronomy covers early observations and discoveries, concentrating on modern findings. Beautiful color photographs of space engage readers from the first page. Drawings and diagrams expand upon theories, and illustrations of Galileo, Newton, and William and Caroline Herschel put faces on these prominent scientists. Activities relevant to each chapter, are sprinkled throughout the book, such as making an astrolabe from string; creating a three-dimensional starscape to demonstrate the distances between the stars in a constellation; inflating a balloon covered with stickers representing stars to measure the changing distances in an expanding universe, and more. The three-page glossary provides short definitions of terms (e.g., "eclipse," "dark matter," etc.), and many of these terms are listed in the five-page index and take readers to specifics. For example, the observations and photographs of the 1919 total eclipse of the sun revealed the bending of light around the dark sun, thus validating Einstein's theory of relativity. The resources section lists astronomy websites, sky watching and star-chart sites, and books for further reading. This inviting and informative comprehensive survey will be useful for homework assignments and may send young scientists to further studies of astronomy.-Frances E. Millhouser, formerly with Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 1, 2013
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* With a vast subject and a lengthy time line, this book takes readers on a fast-paced but worthwhile tour of the history of astronomy, beginning with ancient stargazers and ending with the James Webb space telescope, scheduled for launch in 2018. Rather than skimming through centuries of discoveries, the discussion slows at times to consider certain pivotal ones in some detail. At these points, Carson shows unusual finesse in communicating the methods and significance of scientific breakthroughs. Whether describing how Galileo's observations of Venus through a telescope proved the heliocentric model of the solar system or how Eddington's photos of a star during a solar eclipse substantiated Einstein's theory of relativity, the explanations are remarkably clear, vivid, and concise. The discussion gives full weight to women in the field, including Caroline Herschel, Annie Jump Cannon, and Jocelyn Bell Burnell. The many illustrations (most in color) include portraits and photos of astronomers and their equipment as well as images of stars and other space objects. Line drawings illustrate the 21 activities, which offer students opportunities to explore concepts in concrete ways. Notable for its unusually cogent explanations of complex topics, this volume is a worthy companion to Carson's excellent Exploring the Solar System (2006).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)