Scan barcode
bunrab's review
5.0
Amusing and informative. I especially enjoyed the chapters on the outer planets and dwarf planets. Who knew that one of the places to visit on Pluto is the Cthulhu Region? The moons of the gas giants sound especially enticing.
leevoncarbon's review
3.0
This book offers a clever way to describe the features of each planet in the solar system - how we might want to experience the place as a tourist. I was fascinated by many new discoveries e.g. that noon day sky colors and sunset colors on Mars are reversed - orange daytime sky and blue sunsets and that there is a region on Saturn where conditions are such that it rains diamonds. Sometimes the information presented seemed a bit boring i.e. a few too many dimensions of craters are offered up, but overall a delightful read.
ignimbrite's review
4.0
When I was in middle school, I spent many hours playing the computer game Where in Space is Carmen San Diego, and I voraciously memorized trivia about the planets and moons of our solar system (as well as the mythologies they were named after). This book - a stylish, beautifully designed fictional travel guide to the solar system - brought back fond memories of that game. This book is gorgeous and has some fun information in it. I definitely learned some new facts and got inspired by the crazy variety of environments that revolve around our sun.
My big complaint with this book is that it shares a shortcoming with a lot of "ain't it cool" science books and TV shows: it shares a lot of interesting facts about the solar system without really explaining why (what scientific forces or concepts explain these phenomena) or how we know about them. I suppose I'm asking for a drier, less approachable book, but I found the level of explanation lacking and want to look up more.
Oh, also - this book has amazing NASA images, but I wish they had included more. These were some of the best parts of the book!
My big complaint with this book is that it shares a shortcoming with a lot of "ain't it cool" science books and TV shows: it shares a lot of interesting facts about the solar system without really explaining why (what scientific forces or concepts explain these phenomena) or how we know about them. I suppose I'm asking for a drier, less approachable book, but I found the level of explanation lacking and want to look up more.
Oh, also - this book has amazing NASA images, but I wish they had included more. These were some of the best parts of the book!
reasie's review
4.0
Cute, light read of factoids about the solar system. I think this will honestly be a nice quick reference for writing science fiction, because it highlights the details a writers looks for -- what color is everything? What is the light like? -- that are hard to get from a wikipedia article.
and the illustrations are charming. I'm really wanting to write something that takes place in orbit of Saturn now.
and the illustrations are charming. I'm really wanting to write something that takes place in orbit of Saturn now.
kimberly_q's review
5.0
I loved this book. The concept is adorable. Although I have an interest in space and science, it has always been a struggle for me to read and retain information in this subject area. The information was presented in a fun way that I found engaging and memorable. Jupiter has 67 moons!! Hohmann transfer orbits! I always suspected there was more to landing on planets than Captain Picard let on! When I book my trip to the moon, I will definitely pack this book. Also- the art is very groovy :)
choirqueer's review
4.0
I found this on a the bookshelf of a friend of mine who is also a friend of the authors'. I enjoyed it immensely. It's clever and creative, taking the reader on a journey through the solar system with a touch of imagination and a heavy amount of useful information. I learned a lot about the planets that I didn't know before. I will definitely consult this book before my next interplanetary vacation!