VACATION GUIDE TO THE SOLAR SYSTEM

Selected as the Book of the Year 2017 in 'Sky at Night', here is an imaginative exploration into the 'What If' of space travel. Imagine taking a hike along the windswept red plains of Mars to dig for signs of life, or touring one of Jupiter's 64 moons where you can take photos of its swirling storms. For a mini-break on a tight budget, the Moon is quite majestic and very quiet if you can make it during off season. Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are also destinations in this beautifully illustrated guide packed with real-world science. Written by an astronomer for the American Museum of Natural History, this tongue-in-cheek reference is full of advice on where to go, what to pack and what to do while you're there. Unwind at the Heliox Club where there is an abundant supply of helium to feed a vibrant night life throughout the aerial cities. Take an airship tour to explore the hazy mystery of the Uranian atmosphere and lose yourself in the pale blue fog. Jump into the abyss by strapping on a tether from one of the many adventure stations littered throughout the Universe. Orbiting Io from a safe distance above, you'll witness a beastly mess of orange, brown, yellow and black and you might even think it resembles an overdone pizza! The Moon is a volcano lovers' paradise, saturated with volcanoes, geysers and lava fields. For all bright children ages 11 to adult, this is a glorious mix of fun and fact. 234pp, beautiful colour images and diagrams.