Resources for Exploring our Solar System
By Andrew Fraknoi
©Copyright 1993, Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Permission to reproduce for non-commercial use is hereby granted.
Barnes-Svarney, P. “The Chronology of Planetary Bombardments” in Astronomy, July 1988, p. 21. How
collisions shaped the early history of the solar system.
Ciaccio, E. “Atmospheres” in Astronomy, May 1984, p. 6.
Dobbins, T., et al. Introduction to Observing and Photographing the Solar System. 1988, Willmann-Bell. An
introduction to techniques for serious observers, full of good detail.
Gore, R. "Between Fire and Ice: The Planets" in National Geographic, Jan. 1985, p. 4
Schaaf, F. Seeing the Solar System. 1991, Wiley. Observing activities for small telescopes
Whitmire, D. & Reynolds, R. “The Fiery Fate of the Solar System” in Astronomy, Apr. 1990, p. 20. How the
evolution of the Sun will affect the planets.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
*Grades 4-6
Adler, D. Hyperspace: Facts and Fun from all over the Universe. 1982, Viking. Despite its title, this book, full
of cartoons and activities, is mostly about the solar system.
Ardley, N. The Inner Planets and the Outer Planets. 1987, 1988, Schoolhouse Press Asimov, I. Our Solar
System. 1988, Gareth Stevens.
Asimov, I. Our Solar System. 1988, Gareth Stevens.
Lauber, P. Journey to the Planets, 4th ed. 1993, Crown.
Couper, H. & Henbest, N. The Planets. 1987, Franklin Watts.
Estallela, R. Planets and Satellites. 1993, Barron’s Educational.
Lambert, D. The Solar System. 1984, Bookwright Press.
Carroll, M. “Oceans on Other Worlds” in Odyssey, 1993, issue 5, p. 4.
Carrol, M. “Volcanoes on other Worlds” in Odyssey, 1993, issue 1, p. 24.
Dyer, A. “Weather That’s Out of this World” in Odyssey, 1993, issue 3, p. 10.
*Grades 7-9
Hatchett, C. Discover Planetwatch. 1933, Hyperion Books. A basic guide to the solar system with 17
observational projects for youngsters.
Davis, D & Levasseur-Regourd, A. Our Sun and the Inner Planets. 1989, Facts on File.
Davis, D. & Yeomans, D. Distant Planets. 1989, Facts on File.
Taylor, G. Volcanoes in the Solar System. 1983, Dodd Mead. By a scientist.
SELECTED AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS
Most of these types of Audio-Visual materials are outdated but
I’m hoping they’ve updated to more usable materials.
The Planetary System (1988 slide set, Astronomical
Society of the Pacific) A collection of the 100 most important recent images of the solar system, selected
and with captions by Dr. David Morrison, a respected planetary and popular author. Comes with extensive
booklet of information and background on all the planets.
Worlds in Comparison, 3rd ed. (1992 slide set, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) 20 slides and an
information booklet: each slide compares two or more worlds or features in the solar system, giving students
a sense of scale.
Hubble Space Telescope (1990, 1992 slide sets, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Two sets of 25 and 20
slides, showing some of the most exciting new images taken by the Hubble, including some superb views of
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto.
Flying by the Planets (1991 video, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) A series of short video clips, produced
at the Jet Propulsion Lab, showing computer-generated fly-overs of different worlds, assembled from
space-craft images.
Planetscapes and Voyager Gallery (1989 videodiscs (laserdiscs)) Optical Data/Astronomical Society of the
Pacific) 12-inch laserdiscs with a wide variety of planetary images.
Cosmic Clips (1993 video, Turner Home Video/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) A collection of short
astronomy videos, including Origin of the Solar System, a supercomputer simulation of how the planets
formed from the solar nebula.
Cosmos (1980 video, Turner Home Video/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Several episodes of this awardwinning and eloquent public TV series deal with the planets.
Tales from Other Worlds 91986 video, Anneberg/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) For IBM compatibles,
this wonderful software simulates and displays many different types of solar system phenomena, showing
the planets and satellites up close, from the system’s plane, or in the Earth’s night sky.
Voyage to the Planets (Astronomical Research Network/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) CD-ROM with
hundreds of images from the Voyager encounters.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Vogt, G. “Making Your Own Gravity Well” in Odyssey, 1991, issue 10, p. 16. Making a solar system simulator from a bowl and a
plastic bag.
This resource is part of Project ASTRO, a program to enhance science education through
partnerships between teachers and astronomers. Sponsored by the Astronomic Society of the
Pacific (ASP), the project is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.
For more information or the right to reproduce this material, write: Project ASTRO, ASP, 390
Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112 or call 415.337.1100;
https://www.astrosociety.org/education/k12-educators/project-astro/
See next pages for resources for other things in our Solar System (Planets have their own document):
COMETS
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Brandt, J. & Chapman, R. Rendezvous in Space: The Science of Comets. 1992, W.H. Freeman. The definitive
popular book on comets and what we know about them.
Yeomans, D. Comets: A Chronological History. 1991, J. Wiley. A fascinating series of historical and anecdotal
stories about comets in legend, general history, and the history of science.
Hall, L. Searching for Comets. 1990, McGraw Hill. The story of the spacecraft that explored Halley’s Comet.
Sagan, C. & Druyan, A. comet 1985, Random House. Superbly written, beautifully illustrated summary of comet
legend and comet science, done just before last pass of Halley’s Comet.
The March 1987 issue of Sky & Telescope magazine was devoted to what we learned from the 1985-86 pass of
Halley’s Comet.
Benningfield, D. “Where Do Comets Come From?” in Astronomy Sep 1990, p. 28. On the Oort and Kuper Belts,
where comets originate.
Brandt, J. & Chapman, R. “Rendezvous in Space” in Mercury, Nov/Dec 1992, p. 178. What we have learned
about comets from spacecraft observations.
Levy, D. “How to Discover a Comet” in Astronomy, Dec 1987, p. 74. A nice introduction by an amateur who has
discovered several comets.
Green, D. “What to Do if You Discover a Comet” in Sky & Telescope, Oct 1987, p. 420.
Gore, R. “Halley’s Comet ’86: Much More Than Meet the Eye: in National Geographic, Dec 1986.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Asimov, I. Comets and Meteors. 1990, Gareth Stevens.
Couper, H. & Henbest, N. Comets and Meteors. 1987, Franklin Watts
Darling, D. Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids. 1984, Dillon Press.
Grades 7-9
Davis, D. & Yeomans, D. Distant Planets. 1989, Facts on File. Includes a section on comets.
Moskin, M. Sky Dragons and Flaming Swords. 1985, Walker. On comets in legend and history.
Vogt, G. Halley’s Comet: What We’ve Learned. 1987, Franklin Watts.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
Remember Halley’s Comet (1987 slide set, the Planetary Society)
The Third Planet (episode of “The Miracle Planet” TV series, Ambrose Video or the Astronomical Society of the
Pacific) Reports on the idea that a comet or asteroid may have played a role in the demise of the dinosaurs
(and other species).
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Schatz, D. The Return of the Comet. 1985, Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave., N., Seattle, WA 98109.) A
family guide to Halley’s Comet with hands on activities.
For older students who enjoy science fiction, the book Comets (edited by I. Asimov, et al., 1986, Signet Books)
collects a host of interesting stories all based on ideas about comets; The Heart of the Comet (by G. Benford
and D. Brin, 1986, Bantam) is written by two scientists and features a mission to land on Halley’s Comet in 2061
Another activity is to research the any legends associated with comets in the folklore of different countries
and cultures. Students can start with the books by Sagan and Druyan and by Yoemans, but also see:
Krupp E. Beyond the Blue Horizon. 1991, Harper Collins.
Calder, N. The Comet is Coming: Halley’s Legacy. 1980, Viking.
The MOON
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Observing and Photographing the Moon
Kitt, M. The Moon: An Observing Guide for Backyard Telescopes. 1992, Kalmback. An 80-page illustrated guide
to observing and understanding lunar features and changes.
Price, F. The Moon Observer’s Handbook. 1989, Cambridge U. Press. A useful guide for amateur astronomers.
Chaikin, A. “A Guided Tour of the Moon” in sky & Telescope, Sep 1984, p. 211. For beginners.
Coco, M. “Staging a Moon Shot” in Astronomy, Aug 1992, p. 62. Instructions on photography for beginners.
Kitt, M. “Observe the Apollo Landing Sites” in Astronomy Jul 1989, p. 66. Guide for serious observers.
MacRobert, A. “Close-up of an Alien World” in Sky & Telescope, July 1984, p. 89.
McConnell, D. “Basic Lunar Astrophotography” in Astronomy, Dec 1985, p. 69
The Moon as a World
Hockey, T. The Book of the Moon. 1986, Prentice Hall. Excellent introduction by an astronomer/educator.
Moore, P. The Moon. 1981, Rand McNally
Benningfield, D. “Mysteries of the Moon” in Astronomy, Dec 1991, p. 50.
Brownlee, S. “A Whacky New Theory of the Moon’s Birth” in Discover, Mar 1985, p. 65.
Morrison, D. & Owen, T. “Our Ancient Neighbor, the Moon” in Mercury, May/Jun 1988, p. 66 and Jul/Aug 1988,
p. 98.
The Apollo Program: Exploring the Moon
Compton, W. Where No Man Has Gone Before. 1989, NASA Special Publication Sp-4214, available from the
U.S. Gov’t Printing Office. A good history of the Apollo program.
Cooper, H. Apollo on the Moon. 1970, Dial Press. A science journalist’s vivid account.
Lewis, R. The Voyages of Apollo: Exploration of the Moon. 1974, Quadrangle Books. Another good science
writer’s summary.
Murray, C. & Cox, C. Apollo: The Race to the Moon. 989, Simon & Schuster. A popular-level account, from many
interviews with the participants.
Hunt, H. “I’m at the Foot of the Ladder” in Astronomy, July 1989, p. 22. Article with many photos
commemorating the first lunar landing.
Weaver, K. “First Explorers on the Moon: the Incredible Story of Apollo 11” in National Geographic, Dec 1969.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Asimov, I. The Earth’s Moon. 1988, Gareth Stevens.
Blumberg, R. First Travel Guide to the Moon. 1980, Four Winds Press. A cute “tourist guide” to the future
Moon colony, teaching quite a bit of space science as it proceeds.
Couper, H. & Henbest, N. The Moon. 1987, Franklin Watts.
Darling, D. The Moon: A Spaceflight Away. 1984, Dillon Press.
Simon, S. The Moon. 1984, MacMillan.
Villard, R. “Astronomy on the Moon: Opening a New Window to the Universe” in Odyssey, 1992, issue 7, p. 16.
Future observatories that could be built on the Moon.
Grades 7-9
Apfel, N. The Moon and its Exploration. 1982, Franklin Watts.
Davis, D. & Hughes, D. The Moon. 1989, Facts on File. Dramatic art and good information.
Sullivan, G. the Day We Walked on the Moon. 1990, Scholastic Inc.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
There are more than a dozen NASA videos on the exploration of the Moon and what we learned. Contact the
NASA Teacher Resource Center nearest you or write to NASA CORE (See the address under organizations.)
The Moon Kit (1987 slide set, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) 18 slides and an extensive booklet for
teachers, emphasizing the geology and history of the Moon.
Apollo Landing Sites (1991 slide set, Lunar and Planetary Institute) Shows where on the Moon the manned
missions landed. Call 713.486.2172.
On Small Step (1978 video, Vestron Video) An episode of the NOVA TV series on the many steps that made the
Moon landing possible.
Cosmic Clips (1993 video, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Collect of short videos, including one simulating
theory of forming the Moon by a giant impact.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Reddy, F. “Build a Moon Phaser” Odyssey, 1991, issue 1, p. 16. Build a little device that will let you dial in the
phases through 1995.
Smith, B. “does the Moon Make Fish Bite” in Odyssey, 1993, issue 6, p. 28. Suggests a detailed procedure for
testing the folk “wisdom” about the height of the Moon in the sky being connected with one’s likelihood of
catching fish.
ECLIPSES OF THE SUN AND THE MOON
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Allen, D. & C. Eclipse. 1987, Allen & Unwin. Introduction by an Australian astronomer and his wife.
Littmann, M. & Willcox, K. Totality: Eclipses of the Sun. 1991, U. of Hawaii Press. Excellent introduction to the
science, history, and lore.
Anderson, J. “Eclipse Prospects for the 1990s” in Astronomy, Feb. 1989, p. 71. Information on the next eight
total solar eclipses.
Dickinson, T. “The Eclipse Cult” in Mercury, Jan/Feb 1990, p. 20. Lists solar and lunar eclipses between 1990
and 2000.
Dyer, A. “When Worlds Align” in Astronomy, Jul 1991, p. 62. A guide to the July ’91 total eclipse of Sun, but
full of good observing hints for any solar eclipse.
Dyer, A. & Talcott, R. “Lunar Eclipse Photo Tips” in Astronomy, Dec 1992, p. 77.
Menzel, D. & Pasachoff, J. “Solar Eclipse: Nature’s Superspectacular” in National Geographic, Aug 1970.
The Dec 1991 issue of Sky & Telescope has many reports from the July 1991 total eclipse of the Sun, which
was visible from both Hawaii and Mexico.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Asimov, I. The Sun. 1988, Gareth Stevens. Has a brief section on eclipses.
Pasachoff, D. & J. “Dazzled by Solar Eclipses” in Odyssey, 1993, issue 6, p. 14.
Walz-Chojnacki, G. “See the Eclipse – Just Don’t Look It” in Odyssey, 1991, issue 7, p. 10 and 12. Eclipse
explanations and observing hints, with good drawings.
Grades 7-9
Davis, D. & Levasseur-Regourd, A. Our Sun and the Inner Planets. 1989, Facts on File. Has a nice section on
eclipses.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
Glorious Eclipses (1992 slides, Sky Publishing and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific) 19 slides plus
explanatory booklet.
Eyes on Hawaiian Skies (1991 video Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Shows Mauna Kea, the volcanic peak
with many major telescopes, and includes footage of the July 1991 eclipse.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Those who would like to see information about many eclipses, past and future, can refer to two books of data
tables published by Willmann-Bell:

Meeus, J. Elements of Solar Eclipses: 1951-2200 (1989).

Liu, B. & Fiala, A. Canon of Lunar Eclipses: 1500 BC to 3000 AD (1992).
Whiteman, M. “Eclipse Prediction on Your Computer” in Astronomy, Nov. 1986, p. 67
There are a number of commercial astronomy software packages that will allow you to predict and show eclipses
on your screen; a particularly sophisticated package that does this is called Dance of the Planets.
There are many interesting stories connected with eclipses, both in legend and folklore and in history. Some
sources to get students started in finding some of these are:

Krupp, E. Beyond the Blue Horizon. 1991, Harper Collins.

Silverman, S. & Mullen, G. “Eclipses: A Literature of Misadventures” in Natural History, Jun/Jul 1972.
The SUN
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Frazier, K. Our Turbulent Sun. 1983, Prentice Hall. Nice review by a science journalist.
Friedman, H. Sun and Earth. 1986, Scientific American Books/W.H. Freeman. An illustrated review.
Goodwin, J., et al. Fire of Life. 1981, Smithsonian Inst. Press. A coffee-table introduction to the Sun in
science, legend, and culture.
Hufbauer, K. Exploring the Sun: Solar Science since Galileo. 1991, Johns Hopkins Press. A scholarly history of
how we found out about the workings of the Sun.
Wentzel, D. The Restless Sun. 1989, Smithsonian Inst. Press. Probably the best layperson’s introduction, by
an astronomer.
Gibson E. “The Sun as Never Seen Before” in National Geographic, Oct 1974, p. 494. Observations from a
space laboratory.
Golub, L. “Heating the Sun’s Million Degree Corona” in Astronomy, Jan 1990, p. 30.
Kanipe, J. “The Rise and Fall of the Sun’s Activity” in Astronomy, Oct 1988, p. 22.
MacRobert, A. “Close-Up of a Star” in Sky & Telescope, May 1985, p. 397.
Overbye, D. “John Eddy: The Solar Detective” in discover, Aug 1982, p. 68. On the scientist who
demonstrated the connection between the Sun’s activity and the Earth’s climate.
Pasachoff, J. “The Sun: A Star Close-Up” in Mercury, May/June 1991, p. 66. A good introduction.
Schaefer, B. “The Astrophysics of Suntanning” in Sky & Telescope, June 1988, p. 595.
Talcott, R. “Seeing the Unseen Sun: The Ulysses Mission” in Astronomy, Jan 1990, p. 30.
Observing the Sun Yourself
Burnham, R. “Observing the Sun” in Astronomy, Aug 1984, p. 51.
Chou, R. “Safe Solar Filters” in Sky & Telescope, Aug 1981, p. 119.
Dilsizian, R. “Photographing our Nearest Star” in Astronomy, May 1987, p. 38
McIntosh, P. & Leinbach, H. “Watching the Premier Star” in Sky & Telescope, Nov 1988, p. 486.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Asimov, I. The Sun. 1988, Gareth Stevens.
Couper, H. & Henbest, N. The Sun. 1987, Franklin Watts.
Estallela, R. Our Star: The Sun. 1993, Barron’s Educational.
Ridpath, I. The Sun. 1988, Schoolhouse Press.
Algozin, M. “Ulysses: Mission to the Nearest Star” in Odyssey, 1991, issue 2, p. 4.
Walz-Chojnacki, G. “The Star Next Door” in Odyssey, 1991, issue 2, p. 10. Nice introduction to the Sun as a
star.
Grades 7-9
Darling, D. The Sun: Our Neighborhood Star. 1994, Dillon Press.
Davis, D. & Lavasseur-Regourd, A. Our Sun and the Inner Planets. 1989, Facts on File.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
The Sun in Action (1990 slide set, Armagh Planetarium/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) A set of 20 slides
showing the Sun and its activity, from Earth and from space.
Cosmic Clips (1993 video, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Compilation of short videos, including an
intriguing movie of the Sun’s activity in x-rays.
The sunspot Mystery (1977 video, Time-Life Films) An episode of the NOVA public television series.
A number of short films showing solar activity can be rented from the Big Bear Solar Observatory, Solar
Astronomy (264-33) Calif. Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125.
CONSTELLATION and NIGHT SKY OBSERVING
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Berry, R. Discover the Stars. 1987, Harmony/Crown. A fine introduction for beginners, with clear maps.
Rey, H. The Stars: A New Way to See Them. 1988, Houghton Mifflin. New edition of the classic primer which
has helped generations of youngsters get oriented in the sky.
Whitney C. Whitney’s Star Finder. 1990, Random House. Frequently updated, excellent, well-thought-out
guidebook for the layperson.
Chartrand, M. Skyguide. 1982, Golden Press. Good compact handbook for the beginner.
Harrington, P. Touring the Universe through Binoculars. 1990, John Wiley, How to find your way around.
MacRobert, A. Star-Hopping for Backyard Astronomers. 1993, Sky Publishing. 14 good tours of the sky for
observers with small telescopes.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Asimov, I. The Sun. 1988, Gareth Stevens.
Couper, H. & Henbest, N. The Sun. 1987, Franklin Watts.
Estallela, R. Our Star: The Sun. 1993, Barron’s Educational.
Ridpath, I. The Sun. 1988, Schoolhouse Press.
Algozin, M. “Ulysses: Mission to the Nearest Star” in Odyssey, 1991, issue 2, p. 4.
Walz-Chojnacki, G. “The Star Next Door” in Odyssey, 1991, issue 2, p. 10. Nice introduction to the Sun as a
star.
Grades 7-9
Darling, D. The Sun: Our Neighborhood Star. 1994, Dillon Press.
Davis, D. & Lavasseur-Regourd, A. Our Sun and the Inner Planets. 1989, Facts on File.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
The Sun in Action (1990 slide set, Armagh Planetarium/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) A set of 20 slides
showing the Sun and its activity, from Earth and from space.
Cosmic Clips (1993 video, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Compilation of short videos, including an
intriguing movie of the Sun’s activity in x-rays.
The sunspot Mystery (1977 video, Time-Life Films) An episode of the NOVA public television series.
A number of short films showing solar activity can be rented from the Big Bear Solar Observatory, Solar
Astronomy (264-33) Calif. Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125.