Many new discoveries have been made, and theories proven, thanks to Hubble. In addition to witnessing the birth of stars and planets, astronomers have viewed black holes, red giants, supernovas, cometary knots, and butterfly nebulae. One image illustrates the entire life cycle of stars, with the gas clouds that give birth to infant stars as well as the supergiants and their rings that mark the end of a star�s life. The knowledge that scientists have gained from HST indicates that the universe has more than one hundred billion galaxies and that each galaxy contains one hundred billion stars.
Destination Space opens with a history of Hubble, and an overview of the types of discoveries it has made. It is organized by the distance of the images from our planet. The first are of planets in our own solar system, followed by a star cluster 15 thousand light years from Earth. The last pages of the book show a young galaxy that is the farthest ever before seen � 13 billion light years away!
Because the distances and sizes involved in a discussion about space can be so mind-numbing, understandable comparisons are essential for comprehension. Simon uses comparisons liberally, in terms with which children are familiar: �Five million years in a medium-sized star�s life is equal to a few seconds in a baby�s life.� The concept of a light-year is difficult for anyone to grasp. Simon makes it a little more understandable: �A space-ship traveling at ten miles per second would take only five minutes to go from New York to California but more than fifteen years to travel only one light-year.�
The author pulls no punches in his use of technical vocabulary. Generally, a scientific book for children requires a glossary. Simon�s explanations are so clear, however, that this should not prove to be a problem for young readers. His description of �supernovas� explains what they are in terms that children can easily grasp: �Supernovas are exploding stars that give off enormous amounts of light and energy as they flare brightly and then flicker out and die.�
There is one page of text for each double-page spread describing the accompanying photograph(s). The images, which are all either full- or double-page size, are remarkably dramatic, showing never before seen views of space. The large type font, generous vertical spacing, and wide margins make this book easy on the eyes.
If the text is the body of the book, the photographs that illustrate it are its soul. The incredibly beautiful and detailed images captured by the telescope�s camera are breathtaking. The picture of Saturn�s rings appears to be almost surreal, and the photograph of black holes was among the first ever made of that phenomenon.
Simon has a well-established reputation as an author of children�s science books. A former science teacher, his enthusiasm for his subject is unmistakable. This book provides the briefest glimpse of the wonders the universe holds. Children will undoubtedly want to learn more about the mysteries of space. Hubble has continued to explore the universe since this book was published in 2002, and much more data has certainly been gleaned. Simon�s final sentence is a perfect teaser to challenge budding young scientists to further exploration: �Perhaps the HST will find other planets circling distant stars, including Earth-sized planets. No one knows what new and startling news is still to come from space.�
Related Websites:
The Hubble Project:
http://hubble.nasa.gov
Seymour Simon's Website:
http://www.seymoursimon.com
Amazing Space:
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu
Astro-Venture:
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/projects/astrobiology/astroventure/avhome.html