Space has fascinated mankind from the earliest days of civilisation, and as we keep scratching the surface of the vast universe in which we live, our sense of awe and wonder continues to grow unabated. Now, with the technological advancements being made by the world’s space agencies, we understand more than ever about the things that are happening beyond our own planet. This new edition of the How It Works Book of Space has been updated with more of the latest astronomical advancements, stunning space photography from the most advanced telescopes on the planet, and glimpses at what the future of space exploration holds. Taking you from the heart of our Solar System and out into deep space. Get ready for lift off and discover the depths of our universe and beyond with extreme cosmic temperatures, parallel universes and known active galaxies.
Welcome to HOW IT WORKS: BOOK OF SPACE
How It Works: Book Of Space
SOLAR SYSTEM
Earth • From astronaut snaps taken with handheld cameras to advanced satellite imagery that enables us to predict natural disasters, discover the planet as you’ve never seen it before
ESA’s Envisat
NASA’s Terra satellite
Which aspects of Earth are the satellites observing?
Inside the Sun • The giant star that keeps us all alive…
It’s the Sun, but not as we know it
Solar eclipse • Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun
All about the Moon • It took a walk on the Moon to reveal our natural satellite’s many secrets
Moon-walking • A chat with Walt Cunningham, Apollo 7’s Lunar Module pilot
Mercury • Compared to the other planets, we know relatively little about the smallest planet in our Solar System
Venus • Discover just how similar this planet actually is to Earth…
Mars • Other than the fact that it’s a planet in our Solar System, what do we really know about Mars?
Jupiter • We take a look inside the most massive planet in our Solar System
Saturn • Only Jupiter is larger than this gas giant, best known for its ring system
Uranus • The seventh planet from the Sun, third-largest and fourth most massive in the Solar System, Uranus was the first planet to be discovered by telescope
Miranda • The smallest and innermost of Uranus’s five major moons, Miranda is like no other moon in our Solar System
Neptune • The smallest and coldest of the four gas giants, as well as the most distant from the Sun, Neptune is the windiest planet in our Solar System
Triton • Learning more about Neptune’s massive moon
Pluto • The elusive Planet X that became an ex-planet and still has many X factors
Europa • Our greatest chance of finding life is possibly on this moon of Jupiter
Under the surface • The two theories of Europa’s structure
Life on Titan • Is there life among the chaotic, carbon-based chemistry of this ice-cold world?
Future space tech on Titan • The autonomous technology that NASA hopes will solve many of Titan’s mysteries
Could we survive on Titan?
Engineering a template for life • See the cellular design that could thrive in the harsh conditions on Titan
Dwarf planets • What is a dwarf planet and how is it distinguished from other celestial bodies?
Auroras on other planets • Find out what causes these magnificent light shows on the other planets in our Solar System
The colours of the planets • Discover the science behind the colours in our Solar System
Asteroids in our Solar System • Most of the asteroids in our Solar System are positioned between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, clustered in massive belts. However, some come close to Earth on their individual orbits and these are...