Product Description

This gobsmacking guide provides mind-boggling information about our galaxy and beyond. Readers can embark on a grand tour of the solar system, go skiing on Mars and meet the sad creature from Pluto. Plus, incredible facts about red giants, white dwarves and supernovas

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #189224 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Customer Reviews

Fabulous
I used this book to teach everything that my year 6 class needed to know for the SAT's in just one 55 minute lesson. They were in stiches at the content (especially the make-believe aliens), and they can still remember even the smallest of details. Kjartan Poskitt brings the Gobsmacking Galaxy to life, and certainly made my life, and that of my pupils, a little easier. Thank you.

`This `gob-smacking' guide gives you mind-boggling information about our galaxy.......and beyond.'
`First there was the Big Bang.
Then our galaxy was born.
Now we're all hurtling through space at the speed of light, along with billions and billions of other planets, stars, satellites, meteors, comets, asteroids, meteorites and goodness only know what else.
Jump up and down with excitement as you're whisked away on a grand tour of the solar system, where you'll go skiing on Mars and meet the sad creature from Pluto.
Gasp at some incredible facts about red giants, white dwarves and supernovas.
Plus....find out what happens when a bloke called Sid gets too close to a black hole.'

If you have read the `Murderous Maths' series of books, you will be aware of the way in which Kjartan Poskitt puts knowledge across, in a humorous way. This book is no exception.

`Warning!
Before reading this book you must prepare your brain.
Why?
Because what you are going to find out is so mind-boggling amazing that your jaw might drop off and hit the floor.
Of course, it wouldn't be so bad if this was just a made up story book, but what's really freaky is that EVEYTHING IN THIS BOOK IS TRUE!
It's completely gob-smacking.
Just to give you an idea of what your head is going to have to deal with, imagine looking up on a clear dark night.
The stars are pretty awesome on their own, but what about the black area behind them? What is it? Who put it there? How far away is it?
And the freakiest question of all......is there anything on the other side?
Even the cleverest people can only guess the answer, but this book is going to take you out there so you can decide for yourself.
Be ready to grit your teeth, though, because along the way it isn't just pretty little stars twinkling away!......'

159 pages, split over 9 chapters:-

What is a galaxy anyway?
What can you see?
Sky spotting: how to get started
Some good things to look out for in the sky
Build your own solar system
Space travel
Let's pop in on the neighbours:

Mercury
Venus
Earth
The Moon
Mars
The Asteroid Belt
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Planet X

Welcome to deep space
Across the horizon of time

Black and white illustrations/cartoons throughout.

Funniest book I've ever read,I have learned a lot from it
This book is gobsmacking brilliant!I have learned that the biggest asteroid in the asteroid belt is called CERES.This book is hilarious! EXCELLENT!