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Planet Hunter

Ages: 10–14
Pages: 48
List Price: $17.95
Cover: Hardcover
Published: 3/1/2010
ISBN: 1-59078-592-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-59078-592-8

He has discovered more planets than anyone in history. In this inspiring true story, Geoff Marcy’s love of space helped him overcome struggles in his studies until finally he became an astronomer. But he was not on track to make major discoveries. Eventually, he went back to the questions that thrilled him as a boy: Are we alone? Do Earth-like planets orbit the stars in the night sky? It would not be easy to find a planet outside our solar system. Others had tried and failed. But Marcy never gave up. Since 1995, he and his colleagues have discovered nearly half of the 380 known “extrasolar” planets. Stunning paintings transport the reader to the exotic worlds that he and others have found.

Book Trailer
Curriculum Guide

 

Awards

2011 American Institute of Physics Award - Children's category

2010 Society of School Librarians International Honor Book Award

 

Reviews

Starred reviewKirkus Reviews awards Vicki Wittenstein's Planet Hunter with a starred review in its January 15, 2010 issue:

"Colorfully illustrated with photographs, diagrams and artists' renderings, this description of a scientist's work concentrates on this relatively new branch of astronomy. Debut author Wittenstein includes chapters on Marcy's background and preparation, the techniques he and others use and the history of extrasolar planet discovery. Sidebars and full-page explanations, set off by a differently colored background, introduce other scientists in this field and define and explain important concepts and parallel investigations. The author's explanations are clear, well organized and interestingly written with plenty of quotations from the scientists, but the material is not simple. An extensive bibliography provides books and websites for middle- and high-school readers as well as their teachers."