Sky Gazing

This rich visual guide takes readers aged 9–14 on a journey through the Earth's solar system, around the galaxy, and into deep space to learn about the moon, sun, planets, stars, and constellations.

The sun, moon, stars, and planets have been a source of wonder and fascination for as long as humans have inhabited the earth. In Sky Gazing, a highly visual guide to observing the sky with the naked eye, kids aged 9–14 will delve into the science behind what they see, whether they live in a dark rural setting or under the bright lights of the city. Exploring astronomical objects and phenomena, this captivating book takes young readers on a tour of our solar system and deep space beyond, with explanations of how objects like Earth's moon were formed and the "why" behind phenomena such as eclipses, northern lights, and meteor showers.

Curious sky gazers will discover how to find and observe planets - no binoculars or telescopes required! - and star charts will guide them in spotting constellations throughout the seasons and in both hemispheres while they learn about constellation myths from cultures around the world. Activities including tracking the cycles of the sun and moon, what to observe during the day, and what to do on a cloudy night keep kids' eyes on the skies, while astronomer profiles and sidebars on space technology and current issues such as light pollution help ground their discoveries in the ancient and enduring science of studying the sky.

AGES: 9 to 14

About the Author

Meg Thacher is a lab instructor in Smith College's astronomy department and the academic director for the Summer Science and Engineering Program for high school girls at Smith. A regular contributor to national children's science magazines, she teaches astronomy workshops for school groups and scout troops. She has a BA in physics from Carleton College and an MS in astrophysics from Iowa State.