Astronomy For Children

If scientists found a way to live on a different planet, would they tell people they could live there and make it a new Earth?

Astronomers have discovered a distant planet that can possibly sustain life. The planet is known as Earth and is inhabited by humans! Children will enjoy seeing how aliens might imagine the shapes and colors of Earth's creatures.

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.

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.

Have you ever wondered why the days are so long in the summer and short in the winter? Or why we have hot weather and colder weather? Read on to learn about the Earth, how it spins around the Sun, and the seasons!

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.

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 ever wondered what living in space would be like? Meet the Kellys who are identical twins and both astronauts for NASA. With one brother in space and the other on Earth, they are an experiment to learn how human bodies that share the same DNA are affected by living in space for a long time. What do you think NASA can learn from this twin science study?

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.