3 Far-Out Facts About the Discovery of Uranus

The planet Uranus was discovered by William Herschel (1738-1822) on March 13th, 1781.  To celebrate the anniversary of this incredible event, we're sharing 3 of the most "far-out" facts about Uranus' discovery from Mary Kay Carson's Far-Out Guide to Uranus:

Fact#1: Uranus was the first planet to be "discovered" in any modern sense.  Other planets, from Mercury through Saturn, had been observed since ancient times.

Fact# 2: Uranus' Discoverer, William Hershel gave Uranus the Latin name "Georgium Sidus", which means "Georgian Planet."  Herschel did this to honor King George III of England, who was Herschel's patron.  Uranus was not actually named "Uranus" until 1850.

Fact#3: Herschel first observed Uranus on March 13th, 1781, but it took him many repeated observations to confirm that he was not observing a star or comet.

If you'd like to learn more "far-out" facts about Uranus, check out the book they came from: Far-Out Guide to Uranus from Enslow Publisher's award winning "Far-Out Guide to the Solar System" series.

Far-Out Guide to Uranus is available in Library Edition and Paperback, and in Multi-User PDF eBook!

You can also find Far-Out Guide to Uranus through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many other booksellers.

Once-Per-Century Transit of Venus Occurs Tonight

The transit of Venus, an astronomical phenomenon in which the Sun, Earth, and Venus are parallel with one another, typically occurs once per century. According to a NASA expert, there have been only 53 such transits since 2000 B.C. We are fortunate that this rare alignment will occur in today's early evening's sky. (One warning: do not look directly into the Sun!)

Highly unusual celestial events are a wonderful way to stimulate young readers' natural curiosity about astronomy. One book pertinent to the buzz about Venus can be found in Enslow Publishers' "Far-Out Guide to the Solar System" series. Author Mary Kay Carson's Far-Out Guide to Venus delivers a scientifically strong, age-appropriate text about this second planet from the Sun. The 48-page, Guided Reading Level "N" book includes excellent color photographs, stories of discovery in each chapter, and a profile of a scientist.

The paperback edition of Far-Out Guide to Venus, including a free, brief teacher's guide, is available from Enslow Publishers for $7.95. A library-bound edition is also available to schools and public libraries for $17.95: that represents a 25% discount from Enslow's list price for its library-bound edition!

New Enslow Books Discuss Asteroids, "Doomsday Rocks," and Close Call Scenarios

Library ISBN: 978-0-7660-3673-4
PPB ISBN: 978-1-59845-221-1

Later today, an asteroid will pass within 202,000 miles of our planet. While scientists are confident the object, known as 2005 YU55, will not strike Earth, it is in astronomical terms a close call.

Two Enslow books offer useful, engagingly written information about asteroids and other celestial rocks. One book -- Doomsday Rocks From Space -- is written with reluctant readers in mind. Author Margaret Poynter's 48-page, Guided Reading Level "T" title, part of the "Bizarre Science" series, investigates the science of doomsday rocks and the danger they pose to the planet. She also explores scientific theories that maintain that an asteroid collided with Earth during the Age of the Dinosaurs, effectively spelling the end of that era and many of its creatures.

Library ISBN: 978-0-7660-3188-3
PPB ISBN: 978-1-59845-191-7

For students at Guided Reading Level "N," Enslow's Far-Out Guide to Asteroids and Comets offers a skillfully designed approach to the science and the intrigue of these phenomena. Author Mary Kay Carson's well-written book stimulates a reader's interest as well as does justice to the topic's science. This 48-page work, part of Enslow's twelve-title "Far-Out Guide to the Solar System" series, also includes a profile of a scientist, a timeline of exploration, and a collection of "Far-Out Facts" useful for reports.

Books in the "Far-Out Guide to the Solar System" series and the "Bizarre Science" series are available in paperback and library-bound editions. Teacher's guides are available for all books in both series. Paperback prices are $7.95 per title; special six-pack rates are also available when you order directly from Enslow Publishers or from Enslow Classroom sales representatives. Library-bound editions are also available, starting from $17.95 per title (price reflects a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price).

Today is Meteor Watch Day

Hopefully the weather will be clear tonight so that you can do some watching. I hope you will see some!

Have you ever seen a comet or a shooting star? You may think they look pretty, but these giant space rocks can cause major destruction. Scientists keep a close watch on comets and asteroids using high-powered telescopes and spacecraft. Get ready to learn lots of far-out facts about asteroids and comets!


Check out Far-Out Guide to Asteroids and Comets, written by Mary Kay Carson for the upper elementary/lower middle school reader. It's available in both library and paperback!

Ready for Astronomy Day on May 7?

Astronomy Day is a grassroots movement designed to share astronomy with the general public. It is scheduled to occur on a Saturday between mid-April and mid-May at or just before the first quarter Moon.

Enslow's new series, Far-Out Guide to the Solar System, is a great match for Astronomy Day. Geared toward upper elementary and middle school readers, and available in both library and paperback bindings, these 12 titles cover the different planets, as well as asteroids and comets, and the icy dwarf planets.

Books for Tonight's Full Lunar Eclipse

A full lunar eclipse will take place throughout North America this evening. This phenomenon presents a wonderful teaching opportunity and potential "hands-on" experiences for students learning about astronomy. Help your students grasp the exciting science involved in an eclipse with Enslow books, including our new Far-Out Guide to the Moon. Author Mary Kay Carson's beautifully illustrated 48-page title uses a concise, interesting narrative and strong, reader-friendly design to introduce young readers to the science, myth, and mystery of the Moon. Book has a free, downloadable teacher's guide, including activities connected to various curricular areas.

The book, part of the 12-book "Far-Out Guide to the Solar System" series, is available in paperback and library-bound editions.

Did you know ...

on this day in 1846, and yes, that was a long time ago, the planet Neptune was discovered by German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle? There were actually three discoverers of Neptune. The first one, John Couch Adams, knew that because the path of Uranus around the Sun did not make sense (some years it had a faster rotation, other years slower), and so John Couch Adams told astronomers to start looking for an eighth planet. No one took him seriously, until Urbain J.J. Le Verrier did some math calculations and thought John Couch Adams was correct. Johann Gottfried Galle took these calculations to find the eighth planet. "The discoverers agreed to name the new planet after the Roman god Neptune." This quote was taken from page 9 of the book.

Enslow's new title on this planet, for the elementary market, is available in both library and paperback bindings.

Far-Out Guide to Asteroids and Comets

Far-Out Guide to Asteroids and Comets, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

Have you ever seen a comet or a shooting star? You may think they look pretty, but these giant space rocks can cause major destruction. Scientists keep a close watch on comets and asteroids using high-powered telescopes and spacecraft. Get ready to learn lots of far-out facts about asteroids and comets!

48 pages, full-color illustration, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-0-7660-3188-3
http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3042

Far-Out Guide to Earth

Far-Out Guide to Earth, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published,

Earth is the only planet in our solar system that is suitable for life. It has liquid water, oxygen, and enough gravity to hold its own atmosphere. But did you know that Earth is always changing? Scientists have used spacecraft and satellites to learn more about our planet. They can better predict natural disasters like hurricanes, and monitor volcano eruptions and climate changes. Learn lots of far-out facts about our home planet.

48 pages, full-color illustration, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-0-7660-3182-1

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3044

Far-Out Guide to Jupiter

Far-Out Guide to Jupiter, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

Jupiter is bigger than any other planet in our solar system. It has rings and centuries-old storms. It has more than sixty moons, too—some with underground oceans! Featuring a center spread with fast facts, this great addition to the Far Out Guide to the Solar System series will tell you everything you need to know about the biggest planet—including missions and the scientists who planned them, and the spacecraft they used to do so.

48 pages, full-color illustration, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-0-7660-3184-5

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3046

Far-Out Guide to Mars

Far-Out Guide to Mars, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

Earth's neighbor Mars likely once had an environment that could have supported life. Now it has underground frozen water in many places. Spacecraft from Earth have visited Mars and taught us a lot about this dusty red planet. Featuring a center spread with fast facts, this book tells readers about the missions, the scientists who plan them, and more far-out facts about the fourth planet from the Sun.

48 pages, full-color illustration, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-0-7660-3183-8

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3048

Far-Out Guide to Neptune

Far-Out Guide to Neptune, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

All the facts you need, and lots more, are included in this up-to-date book. Learn about the amazing missions to Neptune, the dedicated scientists who plan them, and more far-out facts about the eighth planet from the Sun.

48 pages, full-color illustration, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-0-7660-3186-9

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3052

Far-Out Guide to Saturn

Far-Out Guide to Saturn, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

Saturn—the jewel of the solar system—has seven mysterious and beautiful rings. These rings, made of ice, dust, and rock, range in size from a snow crystals to a house. Learn about the amazing spacecraft missions to Saturn, the dedicated scientists who plan them, and more far-out facts about the sixth planet from the sun.

48 pages, full-color illustration, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-0-7660-3178-4

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3054

Far-Out Guide to the Icy Dwarf Planets

Far-Out Guide to the Icy Dwarf Planets, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

Our solar system used to have nine planets. But recently, scientists ruled that Pluto was actually a "dwarf planet." So what exactly is a dwarf planet, how many of them are there, and how do scientists study and classify them? All the facts you need, and lots more, are included in this up-to-date book, featuring a center spread with fast facts.

48 pages, full-color illustrations, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3187-6

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3056

Far-Out Guide to the Moon

Far-Out Guide to the Moon, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

Earth has many satellites, but the Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. Spacecraft and astronauts have visited the Moon to learn more about it. From the Apollo missions to the most current robotic spacecraft, this book highlights our adventures in studying our neighbor in space.

48 pages, full-color illustration, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-0-7660-3189-0

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3058

Far-Out Guide to Uranus

Far-Out Guide to Uranus, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

How do scientists know anything about Uranus? Spacecraft from Earth have visited Uranus. Featuring a center spread with fast facts, this book highlights the missions, the men and women who plan them, and more far-out facts about the seventh planet from the sun.

48 pages, full-color illustrations, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3185-2

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3062

Far-Out Guide to Venus

Far-Out Guide to Venus, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

At a scorching 462 C, Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system—and poisonous clouds of gas surround it. Spacecraft from Earth have visited Venus. Learn about the amazing missions and the scientists who plan them This book features a center spread with fast facts, perfect for report writing.

48 pages, Full-color illustrations, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN13: 978-0-7660-3181-4

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3064

Far-Out Guide to Mercury

Far-Out Guide to Mercury, by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

Cratered Mercury is the smallest and fastest planet in the solar system. Temperatures there vary more than on any other planet. Learn lots of far-out facts about the closest planet to the Sun. This book features a center spread with fast facts, perfect for report writing.

48 pages, Full color, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3180-7

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3050

Far-Out Guide to the Sun

Far-Out Guide to the Sun, written by Mary Kay Carson, has been published.

Everything in our solar system orbits the Sun. It is the center of our solar system, and affects everything in it. Robotic explorers have taught us a lot about the star at the center of our solar system. Learn about the amazing missions, the dedicated scientists who plan them, and more far-out facts about the Sun. All the facts you need, and lots more, are included in this up-to-date book.

48 pages, Full color, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3179-1

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3060

Explore Night Sky with Enslow's New "Far-Out Guide to the Solar System" Series

This is a time of year when families go outdoors in the evening, enjoy the cooler air, and take time to look at the night sky. This stargazing can be a fun, rewarding experience, as kids can indulge their curiosity about the Moon, planets, and stars above them. The activity encourages children to read about what they've been observing during these late summer evenings.

Enslow Publishers' new "Far-Out Guide to the Solar System" provides an excellent, stimulating introduction to the elements that shape the night sky. The 12-title series encourages young readers to plunge into the world of astronomy, thanks to the books' superb, exciting design, excellent illustrations, and strong, accessible science. The series' editorial values also include age-appropriate text written by seasoned science writer Mary Kay Carson, with Guided Reading Levels ranging from M to N.

The "Far-Out Guide to the Solar System" is an outstanding choice for teachers searching for classroom library materials that address STEM curricular needs and reading development. Encourage your students to take home a copy of one of the books in this new Enslow Classroom paperback series! (Series also available in library-bound version.)