This bargain edition of Beyond: Visions of the Interplanetary
Probes (2003) may lack the double gatefolds, more than half of the
pictures and the Arthur C. Clarke introduction, but it does still
offer a mesmerizing grand tour of solar-system high spots. Gathered
with the premise that they are significant achievements in the
history of not just science, but photography as well, these big,
sharply detailed images were all taken by (specified) space probes
and were chosen for their visual impact. Arranged roughly in the
order in which they were taken, the photos range from a primitive
1967 composite shot of the Moon to haunting close-up views of
mysterious Neptune and its moon Triton taken by Voyager 2 in 1989.
Benson includes several asteroids, but not comets or dwarf planets
because, he claims, decent photos of these do not yet exist. Except
where they descend into outright error (Venus is not "by far the
hottest place in the solar system"), the accompanying text and
captions just rehash commonly available facts, but our nearest
neighbors in space have never looked better. (glossary, notes,
bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14) (Kirkus Reviews)
Discover what the solar system looks like up close in this
definitive collection of space exploration images. Since the 1960s,
NASA has been sending unmanned satellites to explore the planets,
moons, and sun. These probes have amassed a stunning visual record
of other worlds, revealing not one but scores of new frontiers,
from rust-red Mars to Saturn with its ethereal rings. Michael
Benson has pulled together the most spectacular of these images
into a volume that focuses on the awesome appearance of these
celestial bodies. He discusses what the photos actually reveal
about the places in simple language children will understand. The
book includes a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. "Dramatic,
unframed color photos on thick glossy paper...the science details
are just as exciting as the pictures. Starting with a long chapter
on the early history of astronomy, Benson examines the Solar System
from the perspectives of robot explorers launched in the last 60
years. He also gives in-depth descriptions of how the photos were
taken by unmanned spacecraft...The informal text raises the big
questions that will captivate young readers: Are we alone in the
universe? Has Mars ever supported life? Does life exist there now?
Or elsewhere? More than 20 space probes are in action right now,
and engaged readers will want to reference the listed Web sites.
The comprehensive glossary is also a handy
resource."--"Booklist
"
"A mesmerizing grand tour of solar-system high spots. Gathered with
the premise that they are significant achievements in the history
of not just science, but photography as well, these big, sharply
detailed images were all taken by (specifically) space probes and
were chosen for their visual impact...the photos range from a
primitive 1967 composite shot of the Moon to haunting close-up
views of mysterious Neptune and its moon Triton taken by Voyager 2
in 1989...our nearest neighbors in space have never looked
better."--"Kirkus Reviews"
F&P level: Z
F&P genre: I
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