Have you ever seen a comet or a shooting star? You may think they look pretty, but these giant space rocks can cause major destruction. Scientists keep a close watch on comets and asteroids using high-powered telescopes and spacecraft. Get ready to learn lots of far-out facts about asteroids and comets!

Earth has many satellites, but the Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. Spacecraft and astronauts have visited the Moon to learn more about it. From the Apollo missions to the most current robotic spacecraft, this book highlights our adventures in studying our neighbor in space.

Our solar system used to have nine planets. But recently, scientists ruled that Pluto was actually a "dwarf planet." So what exactly is a dwarf planet, how many of them are there, and how do scientists study and classify them? All the facts you need, and lots more, are included in this up-to-date book, featuring a center spread with fast facts.

Jupiter is bigger than any other planet in our solar system. It has rings and centuries-old storms. It has more than sixty moons, too—some with underground oceans! Featuring a center spread with fast facts, this great addition to the FAR OUT GUIDE TO THE SOLAR SYSTEM series will tell you everything you need to know about the biggest planet—including missions and the scientists who planned them, and the spacecraft they used to do so.

On a dark night as you watch the sky with your friends, a rock with a fiery tail shoots across the sky. A comet! Asteroids and comets hurtle through space, sometimes a little too close to Earth. But did you know that they are linked to life on this planet? From the asteroid Ceres to HalleyÕs comet, blast into space and enter the lonely existence of asteroids and comets.

This visually stunning guide gives an up-close look at some of the more elusive objects in space. Definitions of better-known objects, such as comets, as well as lesser-known objects, such as centaurs and trojans, give a basic understanding of space objects and the history of how they were discovered. It also covers the scientists who theorized about their existence and the later scientists who actually discovered them. Readers will also get a look at how these objects can impact our future life and the plans scientists have for how we might learn more about them.

Everything in our solar system orbits the Sun. It is the center of our solar system, and affects everything in it. Robotic explorers have taught us a lot about the star at the center of our solar system. Learn about the amazing missions, the dedicated scientists who plan them, and more far-out facts about the Sun. All the facts you need, and lots more, are included in this up-to-date book.

All the facts you need, and lots more, are included in this up-to-date book. Learn about the amazing missions to Neptune, the dedicated scientists who plan them, and more far-out facts about the eighth planet from the Sun.

"Asteroids come in all shapes and sizes--and hit our planet in them, too. But what happens if a catastrophically large one approaches earth? By looking on the ground at historical asteroid craters and present-day falls, and up into space for the big ones yet to come, a wide variety of scientists are trying to figure out how to track asteroids--and how to avoid devastating impacts in the future."--

Readers are introduced to how comets move and form. Famous comets, such as Halley’s comet, are highlighted throughout the text. Fun fact boxes accompany science content detailed in age-appropriate language. Enhanced by full color photographs of these incredible light shows and helpful scientific diagrams, this book brings these comets to Earth for readers to enjoy.