CONTENTS Mapping the Stars The scientific map of the sky The equatorial map of the sky The Greek sky The Chinese sky The South African sky Where Are We Galaxies The Milky Way The Sun The solar system Journeys through the solar system The Earth Light pollution The Moon Lunar explorations What Are Other Planets Like Mercury the Sun’s neighbor Venus the dazzling planet Mars the red planet Exploring Mars Jupiter the giant among planets Jupiter’s moons Saturn the lord of the rings 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50
Uranus the sideways planet Neptune the frozen planet Pluto Charon Ceres What Is Beyond Our Solar System The sky behind Ursa Major The sky behind Orion The Large Magellanic Cloud The Crab Nebula Exoplanets What Is It Like For Humans In Space Earth’s atmosphere Astronomical observatories Earth’s artificial satellites The space suit Spacecraft The International Space Station Glossary Index and Selected Sources 52 53 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86
Look out for the galactic guide It will be leading our intrepid explorers on an amazing tour of the universe This three eyed creature knows where to find all the best sights in the galaxy It will act as teacher pilot spacecraft and even space suit to keep our explorers safe
MAPPING THE STARS Look up and admire the incredible spectacle that is space It’s amazing what you can see without even leaving the comfort of your own home With approximately a billion trillion stars in the universe and probably lots more what better place to begin our space journey
