(4) 4-6 Double-page spreads address wide-ranging topics about our moon, including its formation and features; past and future lunar exploration; and various myths and legends. The topics seem randomly selected, but this serves as an adequate overview of the subject. Additional facts and asides, along with bright photographs and illustrations, are featured on the black backgrounds. Activities are included at book's end. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Prominent objects from our galaxy are assigned superlatives like "strangest," "largest," "brightest," and "weirdest" to introduce readers to nebulae, exoplanets, stars, and star clusters. The chapters then delve into deeper scientific discussions such as the formation of the universe, discovery of exoplanets, and contributions of prominent astronomers. Images include artistic renditions of distant planetary surfaces, as well as colorful telescope images. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Astronomer Aguilar provides a fresh look at the solar system, focusing on features that interest researchers. In-depth discussions about the system's formation, the importance of water, and possible life beyond Earth are woven into the descriptions of planets and moons. Colorful, dramatic images of planetary surfaces and outer space are included. Instructions for building a replica Mars volcano are appended. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Planetary bodies have shelf lives, and their obliteration can be caused by a number of astronomical events, such as the expansion of stars or the impact of asteroids. Aguilar's digital "paintings" of the collisions of planets, comets, stars, and black holes are so beautiful and detailed, they almost distract from the excellent scientific discussion of the plausibility of each demise. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Aguilar presents informative descriptions of fake (but based on real) planets in the universe and basic statistics--gravity, surface temperature, sun type--relevant to sustaining life. For each planet, he profiles imagined life forms, illustrated with goofy but detailed computer-generated images and carefully designed to meet scientific parameters. A craft project is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Images of space--photographs, artistic renderings, and computer-generated composites--dominate this survey of astronomy and planetary science. On a series of two-page spreads with dramatic black backgrounds, images and diagrams plus thoughtful text cover topics such as the solar system; stars and galaxies; technologies for space exploration; and the possibility of life on other planets. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 In this useful volume, Aguilar explains the latest categorizations of planets in the solar system (currently considered to be eight planets and five dwarf planets), then profiles each, along with providing information about the sun and various other nearby bodies. Most of the crisp illustrations are color-enhanced photographic images or digital-looking artistic renderings. Basic planet stats are appended. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Stars and their celestial cousins (pulsars, hypergiants, nebulae) are the subjects of Aguilar's vividly illustrated but busily laid out book. Impressive Hubble telescope imagery and efficient design elements accompany factual tales of planet-eating black holes and stars large enough to hold a million Suns. Constellation charts, additional resources, and an activity are appended. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Cherrix

(3) 4-6 Aguilar organizes the planets (here including the dwarfs Pluto, Ceres, and Eris) by their distance from the sun. Each double-page spread features breathtaking computer images as well as several paragraphs of information about the planets' geology and geography. An introduction covers the formation of the solar system; back matter includes a clever presentation of relative size. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 This book includes discussions of the title bodies in addition to space exploration and commercialization technologies and possible extraterrestrial life. The detailed and informative entries cover historical and more recent findings, accounts of scientific debates, and speculation as to what future research might bring. The sharp-focused illustrations combine real satellite and telescope images with computer-generated depictions of planets and spacecraft. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford