Astronomy For Children

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.

If a black hole is not a hole, then what is it? Find out what black holes are, what causes them, and how scientists first discovered them. Learn how astronomers find black holes, get to know our nearest black-hole neighbor, and take a journey that will literally s-t-r-e-t-c-h the mind.

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.

"Hi, I’m Earth! But you can call me Planet Awesome." Prepare to learn all about Earth from the point of view of Earth herself! In this funny yet informative book, filled to the brim with kid-friendly facts, listeners will discover key moments in Earth’s life, from her childhood more than four billion years ago all the way up to present day. Beloved children's book author Stacy McAnulty helps Earth tell her story.

Making earth science accessible and entertaining, The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth explains how our planet works - and how we can protect it - from its diverse ecosystems and their inhabitants to the levels of ecology, the importance of biodiversity, the cycles of nature, and more. Science- and nature-loving listeners of all ages will delight in this utterly charming guide to our amazing home.

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?

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.

Just how big is the universe? Find out all about the universe and its planets, stars, and more in this fact-filled book. It's perfectly designed to introduce young children to the power of nonfiction.

Have you ever stared into the night sky, full of stars and planets? As a kid, Neil deGrasse Tyson was star-struck when he first visited a planetarium. The universe was calling him. Tyson pursued his interest in astronomy and studied to be an astrophysicist. In 1996, he became the director of New York's Hayden Planetarium. He is passionate about teaching people about the universe. Known for making science fun and easy to understand, he has hosted and appeared on TV shows such as Nova ScienceNow and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

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.

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.

What’s that strange object in the sky? Could it be an alien spaceship? Listeners will be riveted by curious tales of UFO sightings while also learning the facts about each claim. Which mysteries still baffle experts, and which ones have been solved?