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=Pathfinder: Astronomy =

 Astronomy is the study of the universe. The study of the universe dates back to the earliest civilizations. Ancient scientists observed and tried to theorize the far off heavens. With the development of telescopes and precise measurements, astronomy has expanded well beyond inaccurate theories. Studying Astronomy has led to amazing discoveries, such as earth-like planets, and voyages, like man walking on the moon. In the classroom students learn two major categories of Astronomy which are our solar system and everything outside of the solar system. Inside our solar system, students are taught about the nine planets and the characteristics of our ordinary sun. Outside of the solar system, students are introduced to galaxies, the life of stars, and theories on our existence. Understanding the size of the universe is the goal when teaching about space in elementary and middle school. The audience targeted in this pathfinder is middle school students and teachers.

//Subjects to Search//

Astronomy, Universe, Solar System, Stars, Planets, Physics, Galaxies, Comets, Asteroids, Astronauts, NASA, Moon, Earth, Sun

//Bibliographies//

“Astronomy Books.” __[]__

 This website provides a list of over thirty astronomy books for children. The books are categorized by subject including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and atlas. This is great for lesson planning.

“Astroweb: Bibliographical Services.”

__[| http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/astroWeb/astroweb]__

This bibliography has a list of twenty-five professional astronomy Websites. Some of the websites are student oriented and could be used for research

“Physics and Astronomy: A Research Guide.”

__[]__

This bibliography has a list of books, indexes, and handbooks for astronomy. This is great for planning lessons.

//Indexes//

//The NASA Astrophysics Data System, 2000.// Database online. __[]__

This database provides access to articles relating to astronomy. It is a great tool when researching current NASA projects.

//Encyclopedia//

 Dasch, Pat., ed. // Space Sciences //. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002

 REF 500.5 SPA 2002

This is a set of four encyclopedias. The books include chronological lists of astronomy discoveries, current research, and even carrier options. Each book has photographs and diagrams about space.

 Glover, Linda. // National Geographic: Encyclopedia of Space. // Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2005.

 520.3 NAT 2005

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This encyclopedia is 400 pages of resources with amazing facts and photographs. It can be used by both students and teachers for learning.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Hitzeroth, Deborah. Telescopes: Searching the Heavens. //The Encyclopedia of Discovery and Invention.// San Diego: Lucent Books, 1991.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> J 522.2 HIT

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This series offers sixteen books about discoveries and inventions that impact our lives. It includes photographs of space and telescopes. It can be used by students.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Stott, Carole. Space Exploration. //Eyewitness Books.// New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2004.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> J 629.4 STO 2004

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This Eyewitness Book is filled with information about the United States space program. At the end of the book, there is a timeline and a list of places to discover more facts about space.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Zimmerman, Robert. //The Chronological Encyclopedia of Discoveries in Space.// Wesport, CT: Oryx Press, 2000.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> 500.5 ZIM

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This encyclopedia has more information than most reference books for students. Inside, students can look up information on anything about space.

//Dictionaries//

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">//Dictionary of Astronomy.// 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> REF 520 MCG 2003

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This is compiled of more than 150 pages of astronomy terms. At the end there is a list of useful statistics about space.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Curtis, Anthony, ed. //Space Almanac//, 2nd ed. Houston: Gulf Publishing Co., 1992.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> REF 520 CUR 1992

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This Ready-Reference is filled with thousands of useful astronomy facts. The information deals with all kinds of subjects including American Astronauts and the distance of galaxies. It would useful to both students and teachers.

//Biography//

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Abbot, David. (Ed.). //The Biographical Dictionary of Scientists: Astronomers.// New York: Peter Bedriek Books, 1984.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> 520.924 BIO

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This biographical book has a large list of current and past astronomers. The book also includes a fifteen page glossary and photographs of space and astronomers. Most of the names would be unknown to the average person. A teacher planning a unit about astronomy or a student researching an astronomer would be most likely to use this book.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Buckley, James. //Space Heroes: Amazing Astronauts.// New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2005.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> J 639.45 BUC 2004

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Space Heroes is a great book for middle school students who struggle with comprehension. The book shares the story of John Glenn and two other astronauts. The book has information about United States space missions.

//Atlas//

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Brunier, Serge. //The Great Atlas of the Stars.// Toronto: Firefly Books, 2001.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> REF 523.8 BRU

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The Star atlas focus is a large atlas of the stars, galaxies, and common constellations in the universe. The book is interactive and allows viewers to see the stars and constellations with or without a transparent outline. Students will enjoy learning about the constellations and then finding them in the night sky. The atlas is a great resource on the univers.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Greely, Ronald and Raymond Batson. //The Compact NASA Atlas of the Solar System.// Cambridge: Cambridge Press, 2001.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> REF 523.2 GRE 2001

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The atlas is a huge book filled with fantastic photographs and diagrams of our solar system. The pictures are close-up photos of the planets taken by telescopes and space mission equipment. Readers have the opportunity to learn the names of the formations on the planets and moons.

//Websites//

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">NASA __[|http://www.nasa.gov]__

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This is a great website that can be used by both students and teachers. It has current information as well as some history of space exploration.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">National Geographic Solar System __[]__

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This website has great pictures and can be used by both teachers and students.

//Books Found In the PHGS Library//

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">1000 Facts on Space by John Farndon

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> 523 FAR

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Atlas of the Universe by Mark Garlick

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> REF 523.1

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Guideposts to the Stars by Leslie Peltier

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> 523.002