How Did We Find Out About Pluto? (How Did We Find Out About Series) [Hardcover]

Isaac Asimov (Author), Erika Kors (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: How Did We Find Out About Series | Publication Date: March 1991

Describes the history of Pluto's discovery and what is known and unknown about the planet today.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10-- Because of its small size and distance from the sun, Pluto is the most difficult planet to observe and the last planet to be discovered. Percival Lowell began to search for it in 1905, but it was not discovered until 14 years after Lowell's death in 1930. The painstaking search and the special methods used for observing this small dim planet and its satellite are described in this clear, interesting account by a master science writer. Asimov also tells about the possibility of an undiscovered tenth planet. Black-and-white pen-and-ink drawings and diagrams illustrate the text. Since little has been written about Pluto, which will not be visited by the Voyager space probe, libraries serving young people will want this book. --Margaret M. Hagel, Norfolk Public Library System, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 61 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Co (March 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802769918
• ISBN-13: 978-0802769916
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,096,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A facinating book - Ruku Banerji, February 21, 2000

By 

Ruku Banerji (Fairfax, VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Did We Find Out About Pluto? (How Did We Find Out About Series) (Hardcover)

This is a review of a book "How did we find about Pluto," by Isaac Asimov. Pluto was discovered by a poor farmer's son who only had a tenth grade education. Read this book to see how this surprising event took place. The book tells about Pluto's size, what led to its discovery, and why it needed investigation. An error in the observation of the orbit of Uranus caused the discovery of Pluto. This occurred because of another gravitational pull, which was not explained. Therefore it was believed that another planet existed. Eventually Neptune was found. Still a small error remained. This was when Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930.

You will be astonished by the reading experiences you will get from this book. Isaac Asimov's writing is captivating and full of amazing facts. Such as Pluto being named by a little girl. In a way Pluto was an appropriate name because Pluto means "The God of the Dark Underworld," in Greek myths. Pluto received little sunlight since, it was the outermost planet from the sun. However Pluto does cross Neptune's orbit and becomes the eighth planet from the sun.

I recommend this book to readers who have curiosity in astronomy, yet it would strike interest in anyone. This book provides you with amazing information about Pluto's orbit and its moons. It is written in a simple but extremely interesting style. This book might surprise you many times until you finish.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A captivating book, February 21, 2000

By 

Ruku Banerji (Fairfax, VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Did We Find Out About Pluto? (How Did We Find Out About Series) (Hardcover)

This is a review of a book "How did we find about Pluto," by Isaac Asimov. Pluto was discovered by a poor farmer's son who only had a tenth grade education. Read this book to see how this surprising event took place. The book tells about Pluto's size, what led to its discovery, and why it needed investigation. An error in the observation of the orbit of Uranus caused the discovery of Pluto. This occurred because of another gravitational pull, which was not explained. Therefore it was believed that another planet existed. Eventually Neptune was found. Still a small error remained. This was when Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930.

You will be astonished by the reading experiences you will get from this book. Isaac Asimov's writing is captivating and full of amazing facts. Such as Pluto being named by a little girl. In a way Pluto was an appropriate name because Pluto means "The God of the Dark Underworld," in Greek myths. Pluto received little sunlight since, it was the outermost planet from the sun. However Pluto does cross Neptune's orbit and becomes the eighth planet from the sun.

I recommend this book to readers who have curiosity in astronomy, yet it would strike interest in anyone. This book provides you with amazing information about Pluto's orbit and its moons. It is written in a simple but extremely interesting style. This book might surprise you many times until you finish.