DK Space Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

Heather Couper (Author), Nigel Henbest (Author)

Book Description

The essential reference guide to space science and astronomy.

From the latest dramatic images transmitted by the Hubble Telescope to the possibility of fossil life from Mars, space stories are hitting the headlines as never before. as we begin the third millennium, more and more people are looking outside out world for a truly cosmic vision of the future. the DK Space Encyclopedia celebrates our newfound status as citizens of the universe, rather than mere inhabitants of planet Earth. Comprehensive and thoroughly up to date, the DK Space Encyclopedia is the definitive guide to the cosmos. The defining achievements of the 20th century has been the exploration of space. On a practical level, access to space has transformed the way we live. communications, weather forecasting, mineral prospecting, and even warfare are all now controlled from Earth orbit. and out more distant forays into space have yielded astonishing rewards. Like Renaissance navigators who sailed uncharted oceans, our probes have been discovering "new worlds" -- in this case, not strange continents but our neighboring planets. Just a few decades ago, these planets were fuzzy disks even the world's biggest telescopes. Now they are future destinations for humankind, with mountains, valleys, canyons, volcanoes, atmospheres, and possible even primitive life-forms. Unlike brain surgery, astronomy is one of the few sciences in which the amateur can play an active -- even important -- role. The DK Space Encyclopedia includes a detailed section on practical astronomy, with clear star maps,advice on what to observe, and even instructions for making a simple telescope. Equipment used by today's amateurs -- including computers and charge-coupled devices that amplify light -- is more sophisticated than that available to professionals just a generation ago. As a result, backyard stargazers are able to complement the work done by top scientists at the world's greatest observatories and by the Hubble Space Telescope. The DK Space Encyclopedia shows that anyone can become an astronomer: The sky's the limit.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The final frontier is conquered in the DK Space Encyclopedia and Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space CD-ROM, the most beautiful, best organized family information sources yet for our galaxy and beyond. In the section called "Observing the Universe," space buffs will discover detailed diagrams of various telescopes, along with explanations of how they're used to pick up light, radio waves, and other emissions from faraway objects. In "Exploring Space," you'll find out how rockets work to launch satellites, people, and gear into space. If you're curious about what it's like to live in space, check out the information on astronauts' daily routines--did you know one astronaut smuggled a ham sandwich into his capsule after hearing how bad NASA's food was?

"Planets and Moons" introduces all the worlds of our solar system, from Mercury out to Neptune and Pluto. Fantastic photos of the planets taken by fly-by probes and the Hubble space telescope show unbelievable details like mountains, craters, and giant canyons. Moving farther away from home, "The Stars" takes you on a tour of our own sun and our stellar neighbors. The life cycle of a star is shown, as well as such strange things as novas, binary stars, rotating variables, and black holes. "Galaxies and Beyond" introduces basic cosmology, the study of the universe, with sections on the Milky Way and other galaxies as well as the latest theories about the size and age of the universe. Finally, readers get tips on how to observe astronomical objects and events, a time line of discoveries, and short biographies of major figures in the field. The DK Space Encyclopedia and Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space CD-ROM are packed with amazing pictures, diagrams, and facts that no space fan should miss. (Ages 9 and older) --Therese Littleton

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10-This ambitious resource offers thorough and up-to-date coverage of space sciences. The first two sections examine the technology used to study the universe. The focus then moves to our solar system, then to the stars, and finally to galaxies. A final section covers "Practical Stargazing" and includes basic star maps. Within the subject divisions, topics are explored on two-page spreads. Each one opens with a large print, often conversational overview. Blocks of smaller print text offer specific information and accompany the many full-color photographs, diagrams, and illustrations. Short time lines add historical perspective. Like the numerous charts and tables, they are neatly shaded to make them easily identifiable. The illustrative material provides visual context for some of the more difficult concepts. However, it is not always clear which caption goes with which illustration and in some cases the logical order of reading the information is not apparent. Despite minor flaws, this useful book is sure to be appreciated by students and astronomy enthusiasts. The caption-based text makes it less cohesive than Roy Gallant's engaging National Geographic Picture Atlas of Our Universe (National Geographic, 1995), but the need for currency in the field is crucial. Jacqueline and Simon Mitton's Scholastic Encyclopedia of Space (Scholastic, 1999) is a fine choice for slightly younger readers, but DK Space Encyclopedia is more comprehensive. The appealing layout and wealth of up-to-date visual and textual information make it an excellent addition for most reference collections.
Steven Engelfried, Deschutes County Library, Bend, OR
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (September 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789447088
• ISBN-13: 978-0789447081
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,153,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic book - Must have if you have inquisitive kids., September 10, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (Menlo Park, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DK Space Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

I cannot count the number of times I have spent an entire
evening with my 5 yr old being asked to explain this or that
catchy page with its wonderful graphics and amazing photos, only
to lose myself in its lucid explanations.

I wouldn't say the CD is spectacular, but my 5 yr old seems to
think it is better than any computer game he's played. He loves
the book and the CD so much that he just can't resist the
temptation to keep telling his cousins and friends about the
wonders of space, gravity, galaxies, supermassive black-holes
and quasars! It is a while now that I've read a story book to
him at night. This book is his staple.

...P>Bottom line -- I recommend this book.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb interactive space encyclopedia for grades 5 and up., April 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: DK Space Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Ages 8 and older will relish this interactive space encyclopedia, which provides the latest images transmitted by the Hubble Telescope and includes dramatic color photos and charts on every page. A free cd rom is included in a presentation which will reach a wide age range, from grades 5 and up.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, April 22, 2002

By 

HBeano (Cambridge, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DK Space Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

This is not just an ordinary book about the solar system, it is rich with information about all aspects of space from observing the universe, exploring space, the solar system, stars, galaxies and practical stargazing. Like other DK encyclopedias this is a great piece of work. Though kids (ages 8-12) might find the text a bit difficult to understand, the pictures and the way the information is presented can still awaken their interest and capture their full attention.