Sky GazingSky Gazing

The sun, moon, stars, and planets have been a source of wonder for as long as humans have lived on earth. In this highly visual guide to observing the sky with the naked eye, kids aged 9–14 will delve into the science behind what they see. This captivating book offers a tour of our solar system and deep space, explaining how objects like Earth's moon were formed and introducing the "why" behind phenomena such as eclipses, northern lights, and meteor showers. Sky gazers will learn how to find and observe planets - no binoculars or telescopes required - and star charts will show them how to spot constellations through the seasons and in both hemispheres. Activities include tracking the cycles of the sun and moon and observing the sky during daylight hours or on a cloudy night. Includes profiles of professional astronomers and sidebars on space technology and current issues, such as light pollution. This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.   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. 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. Explore the Wonders of the Sky The sky is a gateway to the marvels of the universe. Night and day spectacular things are happening overhead, and you don't need a telescope or binoculars to see them. With this book as your guide, take a journey through our solar system, around our galaxy, and into deep space, and experience the excitement of scientific discovery. Know your way around the moon - understand cosmic events like eclipses, auroras, and meteor showers - learn star stories from all over the world - make your own astronomy notebook to keep track of your discoveries - and much more! Chapter 1: Step into the Sky The Sky Belongs to Everyone What's Up There? Astronomy Notebook: Start a Sky Journal Where to Sky Gaze Darkness and Light Finding Your Way around the Sky Try It: Cosmic Protractor Astronomy Notebook: Be a Weather Watcher Light Shows Special Effects Try It: Watch Day Turn into Night Night Vision Try It: Make a Red Flashlight Journey into Our Home Galaxy: The Milky Way Special Event: The Aurora A Closer Look: Binoculars Chapter 2: The Moon Shape-Shifter Astronomy Notebook: Make a Moon Diary Our One and Only Moon Moonrise, Moonset Moon Illusions Try It: Do a Moondance Sightseeing on the Moon How the Moon Formed Astronomy Notebook: Picture the Moon Moon Map Special Event: Lunar Eclipse A Closer Look: The Moon Chapter 3: The Sun Sunwise Astronomy Notebook: Make a Sunset Calendar How Seasons Happen Sun Paths Telling Time by the Sun Try It: Track the Sun A Visit to the Sun How the Sun Formed Special Event: Solar Eclipse Try It: Make a Pinhole Projector A Closer Look: Our Sun Chapter 4: Planets Earth's Siblings in the Sky Star or Planet? Planets Inside and Outside Sky Wanderer Roaming around the Solar System Try It: Make a Scale Model Meet a Planet: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Other Dwarf Planets Astronomy Notebook: Design Your Own Solar System Try It: Be the Solar System How the Solar System Formed Special Event: Great Comet Other Suns and Their Solar Systems A Closer Look: The Planets Chapter 5: Stars and Constellations Star Light