Alien Worlds: Your Guide to Extraterrestrial Life - Hardcover

David A. Aguilar

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1426311109 ISBN 13: 9781426311109

Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books, 2013

Synopsis

Are we alone? Or could life on alien worlds really exist? David A. Aguilar, space artist extraordinaire, shows readers what creatures living on extrasolar planets might be like, using real science and stunning otherworldly illustration.
 
Just as Earth creatures have adapted to use the air, water, gravity, and other elements of Earth, creatures on planets orbiting distant stars would adapt to their environments. In Alien Worlds, David A. Aguilar explores seven types of alien-friendly worlds and the fun ways the creatures would adapt to the conditions. Accompanied by beautiful photo-realistic artwork, this book will open any kid's eyes to the likelihood that we are not alone.

About this title

About the Author:

DAVID A. AGUILAR is the Director of Science Information at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. A naturalist, astronomer, author and artist, David's expertise lies in showing us the fascinating connections between the universe and ourselves.

He is author/illustrator of seven National Geographic books: "ALIEN WORLDS" "SPACE ENCYCLOPEDIA" and its primer "PLANETS, STARS, AND GALAXIES: A Visual Encyclopedia of Our Universe", winner 2008 VOYA Award; the popular "13 PLANETS", winner 2011 Eureka Gold Award and "SUPER STARS!"
 
His work has featured on the BBC, History Channel's "UNIVERSE", ABC News, Time magazine, US News, CNN, NY Times, USA Today, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, Astronomy, and Scientific American.


He is a Smithsonian Scholar Enrichment Lecturer and Leader for Harvard Study Tours. In 2010, asteroid 1990DA was named to honor his contributions to science education.
 
David and wife Shirley reside near Cambridge and part-time at their observatory outside Aspen, CO. For more information see: aspenskies.com

From School Library Journal:

Gr 4–6—After a brief overview of star life cycles, habitable zones, and how scientists conduct the search for Earth-like planets, the book presents the ecosystems and possible life forms of several imaginary planets. These worlds are based on actual planets observed outside our solar system, and the author makes clear connections between a given planet's characteristics (higher gravity than Earth, for example) and the effects on the alien life that evolved there (six-legged creatures reduce the weight load per leg). However, the transition between facts and fantasy is abrupt and may leave young readers confused about which content is real science and which is, as the book says, "scientifically based speculation." Readers with no background in the topic would be better served by the straightforward explanations in Mark Brake's The Alien Hunter's Handbook, which has a similarly jaunty, humorous tone. The digitally painted images, some based on polymer clay models, are not up to par with National Geographic's usual stunning photography but will be fun for browsers and fans of monster movie special effects. Back matter includes a complicated clay modeling project and extensive Web and print resources.—Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library

About this edition

• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1426311109
• ISBN 13: 9781426311109
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 80