Astronomy (Space)

Maybe it's just us, but we think there's a lot of interest in astronomy. It could just be that we have a nearly full bookcase of astronomy books, or that Apologia's Exploring Creation with Astronomy is one of our best-sellers. But whatever it is, the interest never seems to go away, and summer, with its many balmy nights of cloudless skies is a perfect time to explore the topic. 

Astronomy, a natural science, is the study of celestial objects (stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets and nebulae), processes (such as supernovae explosions, gamma ray bursts, and cosmic microwave background radiation), the physics, chemistry, and evolution of such objects and processes, and more generally all phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth. Studying the universe as a whole, technically called "physical cosmology" is a related but distinct subject.

Astronomy, which comes from the Greek astron (star) and nomia (law or culture), is certainly one of the earliest sciences. As early as Genesis 1:14, we are told the purpose for the Sun, Moon and stars is... for signs and seasons, and days and years. We know that many early civilizations in recorded history (Babylonians, Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, Maya, and more) performed methodical observations of the night sky. In what might be termed "Classical Astronomy," the topic has historically included disciplines as diverse as astrometry, celestial navigation, observational astronomy and the making of calendars. We carry a course called Signs and Seasons, which helps bring out the practicality of astronomy.

Although astronomy should not be confused with astrology (the belief system which claims that human affairs are correlated with the positions of celestial objects) it does have a similar origin. One word mentioned only in Job 38—mazzaroth—has to do with constellations and the biblical story in the stars. It's a fascinating topic, and Lift Up Your Eyes on High, an astronomy course for high school or adult students, references this with more depth than we've seen elsewhere.

Now considered nearly synonymous with astrophysics, modern professional astronomy uses principles of physics and chemistry "to ascertain the nature of the heavenly bodies, rather than their positions or motions in space." During the 20th century, astronomy split into two branches. Observational astronomy focuses on observing astronomical objects and acquiring data, then analyzing that data using basic principles of physics. Theoretical astronomy is oriented toward the development of computer or analytical models to describe astronomical objects and phenomena. The two fields complement each other, with theoretical astronomy seeking to explain the observational results and observations being used to confirm theoretical results.

While none of these books will fully prepare students for a professional career in astronomy, most will spark their interest in our vast, strange, and fantastic universe.

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Active Filters: 6th grade (Ages 11-12)
101 Super Simple Science Experiments
by Rebecca W. Keller
from Gravitas Publications, Inc.
for Kindergarten-8th grade
in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
21 Super Simple Astronomy Experiments
by Rebecca W. Keller
from Gravitas Publications, Inc.
for Kindergarten-8th grade
in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
365 Starry Nights
by Chet Raymo
from Fireside Books
for 6th-Adult
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Album of Astronomy
by Tom McGowen, illustrated by Rod Ruth
from Rand McNally
for 4th-6th grade
in Vintage Nonfiction (Location: VIN-NFIC)
Album of Spaceflight
by Tom McGowen, illustrated by Lee Brubaker
from Rand McNally
for 4th-6th grade
in Vintage Nonfiction (Location: VIN-NFIC)
All About Rockets and Jets
All About Books #13
by Fletcher Pratt
2nd edition from Random House
for 3rd-6th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
All About Rockets and Space Flight
All About Books #50
by Harold Goodwin
for 3rd-8th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
All About Satellites and Space Ships
All About Books #28
by David Dietz
from Random House
for 4th-6th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
All About Satellites and Space Ships
All About Books #28
by David Dietz
Revised edition from Random House
for 4th-6th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
All About the Planet Earth
All About Books #46
by Patricia Lauber, illustrated by Lee Ames
from Random House
for 3rd-6th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
All About the Planets
All About Books #33
by Patricia Lauber
from Random House
for 3rd-6th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
All About the Stars
All About Books #7
by Anne Terry White
from Random House
for 3rd-6th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
All About the Universe
All About Books #55
by David Dietz, illustrated by John Polgreen
from Random House
for 3rd-8th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
Americans in Space
by John Dille
from American Heritage Publishing Co.
for 6th-10th grade
in American Heritage Junior Library (Location: VIN-HIS)
Americans Into Orbit
Landmark #101
by Gene Gurney
from Random House
for 5th-9th grade
in Vintage & Collectible (Location: VIN-COL)
Americans to the Moon
Landmark Giant #20
by Gene Gurney
from Random House
for 4th-8th grade
in Landmark Giants (Location: VIN-LAN)
Apollo on the Moon
by Henry S. F. Cooper, Jr.
from Dial Press
for 6th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Armstrong
by Torben Kuhlmann, Translated by David Henry Wilson
from NorthSouth
for 2nd-6th grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
Astronomy
by Cheryl Evans, Stuart Atkinson
from Usborne
for 6th-12th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$1.80 (1 in stock)
Astronomy Out of This World!
Pap/Pstr from Kingfisher
for 2nd-7th grade
in Basher Science (Location: SCI-BASH)
$5.00 (2 in stock)
Basher Science: Astronomy
Basher Science
by Simon Basher, Dan Green
Pap/Pstr from Kingfisher
for 3rd-6th grade
in Basher Science (Location: SCI-BASH)
$9.99
Chasing Space for Young Readers
by Leland Melvin
from Amistad Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Space Race & Exploration (Location: HISA-20SPR)
$7.99
Christian Kids Explore Earth & Space
by Stephanie Redmond
1st edition from Bright Ideas Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Christian Kids Explore (Location: SCICUR-CKE)
Christian Kids Explore Earth & Space
by Stephanie Redmond
2nd edition from Bright Ideas Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Christian Kids Explore (Location: SCICUR-CKE)
Classical Acts and Facts Science Cards: Ecology, Astronomy & Physics (old)
from Classical Conversations
for Kindergarten-8th grade
in Clearance: Science & Health (Location: ZCLE-SCI)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Classical Acts and Facts Science Cards: Spinning Harmonies
from Classical Conversations
for Kindergarten-8th grade
in Classical Acts & Facts Cards (Location: HISCUR-CC)
$23.99
Colonization of the Moon
by D. S. Halacy, Jr.
from Van Nostrand Reinhold Co.
for 6th-10th grade
in Vintage Nonfiction (Location: VIN-NFIC)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Creation Astronomy
by Felice Gerwitz & Jill Whitlock
from Media Angels Science
for Kindergarten-12th grade
in Stars & Constellations (Location: SCI-AST)
$9.00 (2 in stock)
Discoverer: The Story of a Satellite
by Michael Chester and Saunders B. Kramer
from G.P. Putnam's Sons
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage Science & Math (Location: VIN-SCI)
$18.00 (1 in stock)
DK Eyewitness: Astronomy
by Kristen Lippincott
from DK Children
for 3rd-8th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
DK Eyewonder: Space
by Carole Stott
from DK Publishing
for 1st-6th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$5.50 (1 in stock)
DK Smithsonian Space!
from DK Publishing
for 3rd-6th grade
in Oversized Science Books (Location: SCI-OVER)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Earth
by Steven L. Kipp
from Bridgestone Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Experiments in Sky Watching
by Franklyn M. Branley, illustrated by Helmut K. Wimmer
from Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.
for 4th-6th grade
in Vintage Science & Math (Location: VIN-SCI)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Exploring Creation With Astronomy
Young Explorer Series
by Jeannie Fulbright
2nd ed. from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Young Explorer (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$39.20
Exploring Creation With Astronomy (old)
Young Explorer Series
by Jeannie Fulbright
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Science (Old Versions only) (Location: OSCI-AEM)
$12.00 (2 in stock)
Exploring Creation With Astronomy - Activity Guide
Young Explorer Series
by Jeannie Fulbright
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Young Explorer (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
Exploring Mars
by Roy A. Gallant, illustrated by Lowell Hess
from Garden City Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage Science & Math (Location: VIN-SCI)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
Exploring the Solar System - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
by Bruce LaFontaine
from Dover Publications
for 2nd-6th grade
in Space Coloring Books (Location: COL-SPACE)
$5.99 $2.50 (1 in stock)
Exploring the World of Astronomy
by John Hudson Tiner
from Master Books
for 5th-12th grade
in Memoria Press Science (Location: SCICUR-MP)
$15.19 $10.00 (2 in stock)
Exploring the World of Astronomy - Set
by John Hudson Tiner
for 5th-12th grade
in Memoria Press Science (Location: SCICUR-MP)
Eyes on Adventure: Exploring Space
Eyes on Adventure
by Leigh Hope Wood
from KidsBooks, Inc.
for 3rd-6th grade
in Space Race & Exploration (Location: HISA-20SPR)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Famous Women Aviators - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
by LaFontaine, Bruce
from Dover Publications
for 2nd-6th grade
in History of the World Coloring Books (Location: COL-HISW)
$4.99
Find the Constellations
by H. A. Rey
2nd edition from Houghton Mifflin
Non-Fiction for 5th-8th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$11.99
Fly the Space Shuttle
by Carole Stott
1st American ed from DK Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Space Race & Exploration (Location: HISA-20SPR)
Flying to the Moon
by Michael Collins
from Sunburst Book
for 4th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$8.99
Focus On Middle School Astronomy - Student Textbook (old)
by Rebecca W. Keller
2nd edition from Gravitas Publications, Inc.
for 5th-8th grade
in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
$20.00 (1 in stock)
Focus On Middle School Astronomy - Teacher's Manual (old)
by Rebecca W. Keller
from Gravitas Publications, Inc.
for 5th-8th grade
in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
$18.00 (1 in stock)
Future in Space
Isaac Asimov's Library of the Universe
by Isaac Asimov
from Gareth Stevens Publishing
for 3rd-6th grade
in Space Race & Exploration (Location: HISA-20SPR)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Galaxies
by Seymour Simon
from Morrow Junior Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
God's Design for Heaven & Earth - Student Book
by Debbie & Richard Lawrence
Master Books Edition from Master Books
for 4th-8th grade
in Master Books God's Design (Location: SCICUR-MB)
$43.19
God's Design for Heaven & Earth - Teacher Guide
by Debbie & Richard Lawrence
Master Books Edition from Master Books
for 4th-8th grade
in Master Books God's Design (Location: SCICUR-MB)
$34.39
Golden Guide: Skyguide
Golden Guides
by Mark Chartrand
from Golden Books
for 2nd-7th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Golden Guide: The Sky Observer's Guide
Golden Guides
by R. Newton Mayall, Margaret Mayall, and Jerome Wyckoff
from St. Martin's Press
for 2nd-7th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Great Astronomers
by Robert S. Ball
from Living Book Press
for 5th-8th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$12.99
Great Minds of Science: Galileo
Great Minds of Science
by Paul Hightower
from Enslow
for 3rd-6th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Halley's Comet
by Norman D. Anderson and Walter R. Brown
from Dodd, Mead & Co.
for 3rd-6th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Hidden Figures: Young Reader's Edition
from Harper
for 3rd-6th grade
in Space Race & Exploration (Location: HISA-20SPR)
$9.99
History News in Space
by Michael Johnstone
from Scholastic Inc.
for 4th-8th grade
in Clearance: Science & Health (Location: ZCLE-SCI)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
History of Space Exploration - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
by Bruce LaFontaine
from Dover Publications
for 2nd-6th grade
in Space Coloring Books (Location: COL-SPACE)
$4.99
History of US Book 10
History of US Book 10
by Joy Hakim
3rd Revised Edition from Oxford University
American History Reference for 5th-9th grade
in History of US (Location: HISA-HAKIM)
$11.00 (1 in stock)
History of US Book 10
History of US Book 10
by Joy Hakim
4th edition from Oxford University
American History Reference for 5th-9th grade
in History of US (Location: HISA-HAKIM)
$15.95
How and Why Wonder Book of Stars
by Norman Hoss, illustrated by James Ponter
from Grosset & Dunlap
for 3rd-6th grade
in How and Why Wonder Books (Location: VIN-H&W)
How and Why Wonder Book of the Moon
by Felix Sutton, illustrated by Raul Mina Mora
from Grosset & Dunlap
for 3rd-6th grade
in How and Why Wonder Books (Location: VIN-H&W)
How We Got to the Moon
by John Rocco
from Crown Books for Young Readers
for 4th-8th grade
2021 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
in Space Race & Exploration (Location: HISA-20SPR)
International Space Station - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
by Bruce LaFontaine
from Dover Publications
for 2nd-6th grade
in Space Coloring Books (Location: COL-SPACE)
Janice VanCleave's Astronomy for Every Kid
Janice VanCleave's Science for Every Kid Series
by Janice VanCleave
from John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
for 4th-8th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$16.00
John Glen: Young Astronaut
Childhood of Famous Americans
by Michael Burgan
from Aladdin Paperbacks
Biography for 3rd-6th grade
in Childhood of Famous Americans (Location: BIO-COFA)
$7.99
Journeys to the Edge of Creation DVD
by Moody Video
from Moody Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Moody Science DVDs (Location: SCI-MOODY)
$9.00 (2 in stock)
Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon
by Bea Uusma Schyffert
from Chronicle Books
for 4th-8th grade
in Space Race & Exploration (Location: HISA-20SPR)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Milliken: Exploring Space
by Edward P. Ortleb & Richard Cadice
from Milliken Publishing
for 5th-9th grade
in Space Race & Exploration (Location: HISA-20SPR)
Milliken: Solar System
by Edward P. Ortleb & Richard Cadice
from Milliken Publishing
for 5th-9th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
Mission Control, This Is Apollo
by Andrew Chaikin, Victoria Kohl
from Viking Press
for 4th-9th grade
in Space Race & Exploration (Location: HISA-20SPR)
Moon Exploration - Coloring Book
Dover Coloring Books
by Bruce LaFontaine
from Dover Publications
for 2nd-6th grade
in Space Coloring Books (Location: COL-SPACE)
Neil Armstrong: Young Flyer
Childhood of Famous Americans
by Montrew Dunham
from Aladdin Paperbacks
Biography for 3rd-6th grade
in Childhood of Famous Americans (Location: BIO-COFA)
$7.99
New Astronomy Book
Wonders of Creation Series
by Jonathan Henry
2nd edition from Master Books
for 4th-10th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$15.19
On the Shuttle: Eight Days in Space
by Barbara Bondar & Dr. Roberta Bondar
for 3rd-6th grade
in Clearance: Science & Health (Location: ZCLE-SCI)
Our Created Moon
by Don DeYoung & John Whitcomb
Upd Rev from New Leaf Press
for 4th-6th grade
in Our Solar System (Location: SCI-AST)
$17.99
Our Universe
God's Design for Heaven and Earth
by Debbie and Richard Lawrence
4th edition from Answers in Genesis
for 4th-8th grade
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Our Universe (old)
God's Design for Heaven and Earth
by Debbie and Richard Lawrence
3rd edition from Answers in Genesis
for 4th-8th grade
$7.50 (4 in stock)
Planets, Moons and Stars
Take-Along Guide
by Laura Evert, Illustrated by Linda Garrow
from Northword Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Real Book About Space Travel
by Samuel Epstein
from Garden City Books
for 5th-8th grade
in Real Books series (Location: VIN-RBA)
Real Book About Stars
by Hal Goodwin, illustrated by Paul Wenck
from Garden City Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Real Books series (Location: VIN-RBA)
Search for Planet X
by Tony Simon
from Scholastic Inc.
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage Nonfiction (Location: VIN-NFIC)
Signs & Seasons
by Jay Ryan
from Fourth Day Press
for 5th-9th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
Signs & Seasons: Field Journal and Test Manual
by Jay Ryan
from Fourth Day Press
for 5th-9th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
Space Shuttle: A Photographic History
by Philip S. Harrington
from Browntrout Publishers
for 4th-10th grade
in Clearance: Science & Health (Location: ZCLE-SCI)
Spacecraft at Work
by Mary Elting, illustrated by Ursula Koering
from Harvey House, Inc., Publishers
for 4th-8th grade
in Vintage Nonfiction (Location: VIN-NFIC)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Star and Planet Locator
from Edmund Scientifics
for 2nd-Adult
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Stargazing with a Telescope
by Robin Scagell
Revised from Firefly Books
for 6th-Adult
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Starry Messenger
by Peter Sis
from Square Fish Publishing
Picture Book Biography for 3rd-6th grade
1997 Caldecott Honor Book
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$8.99
Story of Apollo 11
Cornerstones of Freedom
by R. Conrad Stein & David J. Catrow III
from Children's Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Cornerstones of Freedom (Location: VIN-CORN)
Story of the Challenger Disaster
Cornerstones of Freedom
by Zachary Kent
from Children's Press
for 4th-6th Grade
in Cornerstones of Freedom (Location: VIN-CORN)
Story of the Moon Landing
by R. Conrad Stein
2nd edition from Children's Press
for 4th-6th grade
in Cornerstones of Freedom (Location: VIN-CORN)
Ten Worlds
by Ken Croswell
from Boyds Mill Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Oversized Science Books (Location: SCI-OVER)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
The Universe
Life Nature Library
by David Bergamini
from Time-Life Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage Science & Math (Location: VIN-SCI)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Usborne Book of Astronomy & Space
by Lisa Miles & Alastair Smith
from Usborne
for 4th-8th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
Voyage of the Ruslan
by Joshua Stoff
from Atheneum
for 3rd-6th grade
in Space Race & Exploration (Location: HISA-20SPR)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Walk in Space: The Story of Project Gemini
Landmark #117
by Gene Gurney
from Random House
for 5th-9th grade
in Vintage & Collectible (Location: VIN-COL)