Astronomy For Children

Beliefs about the shape of the earth have varied over the millennia, but the Ancient Greeks were able to observe that our planet is round and even Eratosthenes attempted to measure its size. It was not until explorers had fully charted the globe that most people were really able to comprehend its spherical shape.

Have you ever heard of the Showdown at Separation Point? In 1878, astronomers, James Watson and Urbain J.J. Le Verrier, disagreed about the existence of a planet, being named Vulcan, between the sun and Mercury. During an eclipse over Wyoming with telescopes and sky maps, they were finally able to discover which astronomer was right. Who do you think won this science showdown?

Do you know that astronauts are not the only living beings who can travel through space? Our human microbes do as well! When human astronauts go into space and return, they bring the microbes inside their bodies with them! Learn what these organisms teach scientists and how they can affect the human body both in space and on Earth.

Have you heard of the spidernauts? These two special jumping spiders were sent to space for a special mission—to see how they would adapt to microgravity. Would the spiders still be able to hunt for their food for their survival or would they starve? Learn how this experiment with insects was important to understanding microgravity and its effects on the human body!

Take a ride on a rover with NASA as they explore the planet Mars. Learn how NASA explores Mars for evidence of life especially the existence of water. Scientists believe that life depends on water. Is it possible that Mars had life and why is it so different from Earth? Discover the tools, equipment and methods scientists use to uncover rock, water, and fossils to test as evidence of life.

Did you hear? Pluto is not considered to be a planet anymore—but don’t worry, astronomists used scientific evidence to prove Pluto's demotion. Learn about the scientific method and how it allows scientists to reevaluate theories as new evidence emerges. What do you think Pluto should be classified as? Planet or Dwarf Planet?

What should you expect if you want to become one of the first inhabitants of a Martian colony? Humans have never lived on Mars so they will have many challenges to overcome in order to successfully stay there. Learn what the future lives of new Martians will be like and understand the obstacles they will need to overcome in order to build a new Martian society.

Do you know what kinds of food astronauts eat and drink while on a space mission? Learn how NASA prepares, dries and packages different food so it lasts for the journey! Find out the different ways that astronauts cook and eat in space which has zero gravity so it doesn't float away. Discover how astronauts use a very different kind of bathroom toilet and what happens to human waste in space.

John Farrell takes kids on a rhyming tour of the night sky, from A to Z, with facts about the wonders of space. From distant Andromeda, a galaxy made up of billions of stars, to the constellation of the zodiac, Farrell covers the high points of outer space. How do you find Jupiter or Venus? How does the Moon cause the tides of Earth's shores? How can you find the North Star, and why do all other stars seem to go around it? The answers to these and many other questions are contained in this beautiful volume of science that will delight a young listener's imagination.

Does your child struggle to fall asleep easily? Then this story about a relaxing walk in the forest might be just the thing they need to help them fall asleep themselves. Your child will take a journey in their imagination, through the trees, meet the Green Man and hear the voices of the trees around them. If your child loves nature stories or fun adventures, they'll love this bedtime meditation - and you'll love it, as the the story can help them relax and get ready for sleep.

A little boy is out for a walk meets a new friend, the Sun! The sun tells the little boy about himself and all of the important things he does for Earth. Did you know that the sun is a star? Explore space with the sun as he tells you about why we have night and day!

When it’s your birthday, you add one Earth year to your age. Have you ever wondered how old you would be in Saturn years? What about Mars? Read on to learn about the planets of our solar system and how long it takes for them to complete one whole orbit.

Many things look very different seen up close. To us, the sun is a giant ball of light in the sky, but to other solar systems, it might look like just another star! Those tiny lights you see in the night sky are what our sun might look like from another planet far out in space. The sun gives light and energy to our entire solar system, and is necessary for many other things. Can you name them all?

Where do all the metals on earth come from? They were all made by stars! In this science story, you'll discover how the fusion of atoms in dying stars in space creates enough heat and energy to make metals.

Over time, cultures from around the world have given us many different myths about our home galaxy. When you look up at the sky at night, what stories would you tell about what you see?

The Sun is our closest star. Stars produce heat, light, and do not orbit other celestial objects.

One way astronomers search for planets is by looking for the shadows they cast in front of stars.

Our sun is great at shining down light and heat on earth, but was the sun always that bright? With the help of gravity, the sun is eventually able to produce enough energy to give off light. Our sun has kept this up for four billion years and will keep shining for another five billion years!

How can the moon or sun seem to disappear right before our eyes? When the moon, the Earth, and the sun align just right in their orbits, they can cause a solar or lunar eclipse! Find out how light and shadow work together to trigger these cool events.

Anna must wake up late and struggle to keep warm outside so she can watch a meteor shower.