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MERCURY
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Strom, R. Mercury: The Elusive Planet. 1987, Smithsonian Institution Press. The definitive non-technical book.
Murray, B. & Burgess, E. Flight to Mercury. 1977, Columbia U. Press.
Chapman, C. “Mercury’s heart of Iron” in Astronomy, Nov. 1988, p. 22.
Cordell, B. “Mercury: The World Closest to the Sun” in Mercury Magazine (no relation), Sep/Oct. 1984, p. 136.
Kunzig, R. “Iron Planet” in Discover, Feb. 1989, p. 66.
Strom, R. “Mercury “Mercury: The Forgotten Planet” in Sky & Telescope, Sep. 1990, p. 256.
Weaver, K. “Mariner Unveils Mercury and Venus” in National Geographic, June 1975.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Asimov, I. Mercury: The Quick Planet. 1989, Gareth Stevens.
Grades 7-9
Vogt, G. Mars and the Inner Planets. 1982, Franklin Watts.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
Mercury: Exploration of a Planet (1976 video, NASA/Holiday Films) available on a tape entitled Mars &
Mercury, from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific or the Planetary Society.
VENUS
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Cooper, H. The Evening Star: Venus Observed. 1993, Farrar Straus & Giroux. Book on Venus exploration,
including lots of history and the Magellan spacecraft results.
Burgess, E. Venus: An Errant Twin. 1985, Columbia U. Press. A Summary of what had been learned before
Magellan, by a science writer.
Burnham, R. “What Makes Venus Go” in Astronomy, Jan. 1993, p. 40. An album of Magellan images and
information.
Sanders, S. “The Exploration of Venus: A Magellan progress Report” in Mercury, Sep/Oct. 1991, p. 130.
Saunders, S. “Venus: A Hellish Place Next Door” in Astronomy, Mar. 1990, p. 18. Very nice review of what we
knew about Venus before Magellan.
Stofan, E. “The New Face of Venus” in Sky & Telescope, Aug. 1993, p. 22. A summary of what we now know.
(The same issue includes 3-D views of the planet – with glasses – and a nice article on how the Magellan
spacecraft obtains its information.)
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Ardley, N. The Inner Planets. 1988, Schoolhouse Press.
Asimov, I. Venus: A Shrouded Mystery. 1989, Gareth Stevens.
Fradin, D. Venus. 1989, Children’s Press.
Opalko, J. “Magellan Discovers a Whole New World” in Odyssey, 1992, issue 4, p. 4.
Walz-Chojnacki, G. “Venus: The Original Greenhouse Planet” in Odyssey, 1990, issue 7, p. 10. Part of a longer
article explaining the greenhouse effect for Earth.
Grades 7-9
Vogt, G. Mars and the Inner Planets. 1982, Franklin Watts.
Many of the articles in Astronomy magazine, listed in the first section are fine for the students at this level.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
Flying By the Planets. (1991 video, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) includes several computer generated
fly-over’s of Venus terrain, as revealed by the Magellan spacecraft radar instrument.
On Robot Wings: A Flight through the Solar System (1992 video, Holiday Films/Planetary Society) Compilation
of a number of NASA videos flying over bodies in the solar system, including Venus.
Venus Unveiled: The Magellan Images (1991 slide set, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Assembled with the
help of Magellan scientists, this series of 20 slides and detailed booklet gives some of the best images and
early results from the Magellan mission.
Magellan Reveals Venus (1992 slide set, Planetary Society) 40 images, brief captions, and 3-D glasses showing
Magellan images.
See also the slide sets called The Planetary System and Worlds in Comparison, listed in the resource section
for the solar system in general.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
If you can get enough copies, have teams of students explore the 3-D images of Venus shown in Sky &
Telescope’s August 1993 issue.
EARTH
(NOTE: Many of the books listed it the resource section for the solar system in general have a chapter on Earth.)
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Cattermole, P. & Moore, P. The Story of the Earth. 1985, Cambridge U. Press. An introduction by a geologist
and a science writer/amateur astronomers.
Chapman, C. & Morrison, D. Cosmic Catastrophes. 1989, Plenum. How impact from space have shaped the Earth’s
surface and life-forms. (A key section was excerpted in Mercury magazine, Nov/Dec 1989 and Jan/Feb
1990.)
Erickson, J. Exploring Earth from Space. 1989, Tab Books. Clear introduction by a geologist.
Hartmann, W. & Miller, R. The History of the Earth. 1993, Workman. Lavishly illustrated chronicle of the
planet’s evolution.
Weiner, J. Planet Earth. 1986, Bantam. Nice companion volume to the PBS television series.
Broadhurst, L. “Earth’s Atmosphere: Terrestrial or Extraterrestrial” in Astronomy, Jan 1992, p. 38.
Chyba, C. “The Cosmic Origins of Life on Earth” in Astronomy, Nov 1992, p. 28.
Cordell, B. “Mars, Earth, and Ice” in Sky & Telescope, July 1986, p. 17.
Gillet, S. “The Rise and Fall of the [Earth’s] Early Reducing Atmosphere” in Astronomy, July 1985, p. 66.
Hartman, W. “Piercing Together Earth’s Early History” in Astronomy, June 1989, p. 24.
Heppenheimer, T. “Journey to the Center of the Earth” in Discover, Nov 1987, p. 86.
Hurley, P. “The Confirmation of Continental Drift” in Scientific American, Apr 1968.
Lanzerotti, L. & Uberoi, C. “Earth’s Magnetic Environment” in Sky & Telescope, Oct 1988, p. 360.
Wong, C. “Watching Earth Move from Space” in Sky & Telescope, Mar 1978, p. 198.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Asimov, I. Earth: Our Home Base. 1989, Gareth Stevens.
Bramwell, M. Planet Earth. 1987, Franklin Watts.
Lye, K. Our Planet Earth. 1980, Lerner.
Hogan, H. “Mission to Planet Earth” in Odyssey, 1992, issue 3, p. 14. On NASA’s plans for instruments to
observe the Earth.
O’Meara, S. “Volcano” in Odyssey, 1993, issue 1, p. 4. On our planet’s volcanoes.
Williams, J. “An Ocean of Air” in Odyssey, 1993, issue 3, p. 4. On our atmosphere and climate.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
Blue Planet (1990 video, Holiday Films/ASP) Reduced from the original IMAX format, this is a visually stunning
view of Earth.
The Earth from Space (1990 slide set, Armagh Planetarium/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) 25 images
taken from orbit.
Planet Earth (1986 video series, Annenberg-CPB Project/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Seven episodes
of the Emmy-award winning television series examining the Earth as a planet.
Shuttle Views the Earth (3 slide sets from the Lunar and Planetary institute) Shows the Earth’s oceans,
clouds, and geology, as photographed by the astronauts.
Terrestrial Impact Craters (1992 slide set, Lunar and Planetary Institute or the Astronomical Society of the
Pacific) 26 slides showing places where cosmic impacts are believed to have happened.
The Third Planet (1987 video, Ambrose Video/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Part of The Middle Planet
TV series, this episode looks at the origin and evolution of the Earth.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
A computer program called SimEarth (available from software vendors or the Planetary Society catalog) allows
you to simulate the evolution of our planet over time, and with a variety of conditions.
MARS
(NOTE: Many of the books listed it the resource section for the solar system in general have a chapter on Mars.)
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Cooper, H. The Search for Life on Mars. 1980, Holt Rinehart & Winston. Review of the Viking mission, with a
long profile of Carl Sagan.
Washburn, M. Mars at Last. 1977, Putnam’s. A science writer’s vivid summary of the Viking mission and what it
taught us.
Wilford, J. Mars Beckons. 1990, Knopf. The science editor of the NY Times summarizes the past and possible
future exploration of the red planet.
Albin, E. “Observing the New Mars” in Astronomy, Nov 1992, p. 74. Instructions for observers with telescopes.
Beatty, J. “The Amazing Olympus Mons” in Sky & Telescope, Nov 1982, p. 420. On the giant volcano.
Carr, M. “The Surface of Mars: A Post-Viking View” in Mercury, Jan/Feb 1983, p. 2. By one of the mission
science leaders.
Carroll, M. “The Changing Face of Mars” in Astronomy, Mar 1987, p. 6.
Carroll, M. “Mars: The Russians are Going, the Russians are Going” in Astronomy, Oct 1993, p. 10.
Edgett, K., et al. “The Sands of Mars” in Astronomy, June 1993, p. 26. Very nice images of the Martian deserts
and the effects of the strong Martian winds.
Gore, R. “Sifting for Life in the Sands of Mars” in National Geographic, Jan 1977. On the Viking mission.
Hartmann, W. “What’s New on Mars” in Sky & Telescope, May 1989 p. 471.
McKay, C. “Did Mars Once Have Oceans?” in Astronomy, Sep 1993, p. 27.
NASA: “Return to the Red Planet: Mars Observer” in Mercury, Sep/Oct 1992, p. 146. A guide to earlier
missions and the ill-fated Mars Observer.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Ardley, N. The Inner Planets. 1988, Schoolhouse Press.
Asimov, I. Mars: Our Mysterious Neighbor. 1988, Gareth Stevens.
Berger, M. Discovering Mars. 1992, Scholastic Press.
Fradin, D. Mars. 1989, Scholastic Press.
Algozin, M. “Dress Rehearsal for Mars” in Odyssey, 1991, issue 9, p. 12. On exploring Antarctica to prepare for
Mars.
Williamson, R. “Reaching Mars: A 21st Century Challenge” in Odyssey, 1992m issue 7, p. 4.
Wills, S. “Build Your Own Planet” in Odyssey, 1990, issue 8, p. 12. On terraforming Mars.
Grades 7-9
Davis, D. & Cattermole P. Mars. 1989, Facts on File.
Taylor, G. Volcanoes in the Solar System. 1983, Dodd Mead.
Vogt, G. Mars and the Inner Planets. 1982, Franklin Watts.
Vogt, G. Viking and the Mars Landing. 1991, Milbrook Press.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
Mars and Mercury. (1979 video, Holiday Films/NASA or the Astronomical Society of the Pacific or the
Planetary Society) Includes the fine NASA video Planet Mars, focusing on the work of the Viking mission.
New Images of Mars (1985 slide set, the Planetary Society) Computer techniques were used to clean and
enhance the color Viking images of the Martian surface in this 20 slide set.
Viking 1 & 2 on Mars (1980 slide set, Holiday Films/the Planetary Society) 40 slides and a sound cassette.
Mars: The Movie (1989 video) This is a brief but delightful computer-generated “fly-over” of Mars, as the
planet was revealed by the Viking spacecraft. It is available on the video compilations Flying by the Planets
(Astronomical Society of the Pacific) and On Robot Wings (Holiday Films/the Planetary Society)
“Blues for a Red Planet” (1980 video, Turner Home Video, Astronomical Society of the pacific) This episode of
the award-winning Cosmos public television series is one of the most eloquent evocations of Mars ever
filmed.
For more detailed views of the red planets, with an emphasis on geology, there are two slide sets called
Volcanoes on Mars and The Winds of Mars: Aeolian Activity and Landforms, available from the Lunar and
Planetary Institute, 713.486.2172.
See also the slide sets called The Planetary System and Worlds in Comparison, listed in the resource section
for the solar system in general.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Friedman, A. & Sneider C. Red Planet Mars. 1990, part of the Planetarium Activities for Student Success
series from the Lawrence Hall of Science, U. of California, Berkeley, CA 94720. A number of interesting
activities that can be adapted for the classroom.
A wonderful poster, full of excellent information and a map of Mars, called An Explorer’s Guide to Mars, is
available from the Planetary Society. A dramatic poster of the two hemispheres of Mars, called Two Faces
of Mars, has been put together by Hansen Planetarium and is distributed by both the Astronomical Society
of the Pacific and the Planetary Society.
For students who have heard about the so-called “Face on Mars,” which is nothing more than a sand-dune but
happens to resemble a human face under certain lighting conditions, a nice activity about other faces in the
solar system can be found in the 9th issue for 1991 of Odyssey magazine.
JUPITER
NOTE: Jupiter has four giant moons, first discovered by Galileo and thus often called the Galilean satellites.
Many of the books and articles consider the five world together, but we also list a few separate readings
about the moons Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Burgess, E. By Jupiter. 1982, Columbia U. Press.
Morrison, D. & Sanz, J. Voyage to Jupiter. 1980, NASA Special Publication SP-439.
Rothery, C. Satellites of the Outer Planets. 1992, Oxford U. Press. A geologist examines the distant moons.
Washburn, M. Distant Encounters: The Exploration of Jupiter and Saturn. 1983, Harcourt, Brace, Javonovich.
A fine guide to the Voyager encounters results by a journalist.
Elliot, J. & Kerr, r. “How Jupiter’s Ring was Discovered” in Mercury, Nov/Dec 1985, p. 162.
Gore, R. “Voyager Views Jupiter” in National Geographic, Jan 1980.
Harris, J. “Return to a New World” in Astronomy, Apr 1990, p. 30. On the Galileo spacecraft mission that
explored Jupiter starting in 1995.
Kaufmann, W. “Jupiter: Lord of the Planets” in Mercury, Nov/Dec 1984, p. 169.
Morrison, D. “Four New World” in Astronomy, Sep 1980, p. 6. On the Galilean moons.
Murrill, M. “Voyager: The Grandest Tour” in Mercury, May/June 1993, p. 67. Clear summary of all the Voyager
encounters.
Olivarez, J. “Seeing the Most of Jupiter” in Astronomy, Mar 1992, p. 85. Observing hints for those with small
telescopes.
Simon, S. “The View form Europa” in Astronomy, Nov 1986, p. 98.
Talcott, R. “The Violent Volcanoes of Io” in Astronomy, May 1993, p. 41.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Apfel, N. Voyager to the Planets. 1991, Clarion Books.
Asimov, I. Jupiter: The Spotted Giant. 1989, Gareth Stevens.
Harris, A. & Weissman, P. The Great Voyager Adventure. 1990, Julian Messner.
Ride, S. & O’Shaugnessy, T. Voyager: An Adventure to the Edge of the Solar System. 1992, Crown. Written by
America’s first women in space and a science teacher, for the younger grades.
Grades 7-9
Branley, F. Jupiter: King of the Gods, Giant of the Planets. 1981, Dutton.
Davis, D. & Peterson, C. Jupiter 1989, Facts on File
Radlauer, R. & Young, C. Voyagers 1 & 2: Robots in Space. 1987, Children’s Press.
Taylor, G. Volcanoes in the Solar System. 1983, Dodd Mead. Includes a section on Io.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune: The Voyager Missions. (1992 video, NASA/Holiday Films/the Planetary
Society.) 30-minute summary.
And Then There Was Voyager (1992 video, NASA/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) A summary film on all
the stops on the Voyager mission.
Voyager: Missions to Jupiter and Saturn (1983 video, NASA/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) 20 minute
summary video, with nice footage.
The Moons of Jupiter (1981 slide set, American Association of Physics Teachers)
Slide sets of the Jupiter system have also been available from Hansen Planetarium, Holiday Films, and the
Planetary Society.
Also, see the Planetary System and Worlds in Comparison slide sets under the “solar system in general”
resources.
SATURN
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Morrison, D. Voyages to Saturn. 1982, NASA Special Publication SP-446, available from the U.S. Government
Printing office. The definitive non-technical book on Jupiter after the Voyager missions, by an astronomer.
Rothery, C. Satellites of the Outer Planets. 1992, Oxford U. Press. A geologist examines the distant moons.
Washburn, M. Distant Encounters: The Exploration of Jupiter and Saturn. 1983, Harcourt, Brace, Javanovich.
A fine guide to the Voyager encounters and results by a journalist.
Cuzzi, J. “Ringed Planets: Still Mysterious” in Sky & Telescope, Dec 1984, p. 511; Jan 1985, p. 19.
Gore, R. “Saturn: Lord of the Rings” in National Geographic, July 1981.
Morrison, D. “The New Saturn System” in Mercury, Nov/Dec 1981, p. 162.
Murrill, M. “Voyager: The Grandest Tour” in Mercury, May/June 1993, p. 67. Clear summary of all the Voyager
encounters.
Overbye, D. “The Lord of the Rings” in Discover, Jan 1981, p. 24.
Reports on the Voyager encounters with Saturn appeared in the Nov and Dec 1981 issues of Astronomy
magazine, and the Oct and Nov 1981 issues of Sky & Telescope.
Sanchez-Laega, A. “Saturn’s Great White Spots” in Sky & Telescope, Aug 1989, p. 141.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Apfel, J. Voyager to the Planets. 1991, Clarion Books
Asimov, I. Saturn: The Ringed Beauty. 1989, Gareth Stevens.
Branley, F. Saturn: The Spectacular Planet. 1983, Crowell.
Fradin, D. Saturn. 1989, Children’s Press.
Harris, A. & Weissman, P. The Great Voyager Adventure. 1990, Julian Messner.
Verba, J. Voyager: Exploring the Outer Planets. 1991, Lerner Publications.
Walz-Chojnacki, G. “Excuse Me: Saturn Burped” in Odyssey, 1991, issue 3, p. 16. On the big storm observed
with the Hubble Space Telescope.
Grades 7-9
Davis, D. & Halliday, I. Saturn. 1989 Facts on File.
Radlauer, R. & Young, C. Voyagers 1 & 2: Robots in Space. 1987, Children’s Press.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune: The Voyager Missions. (1992 video, NASA/Holiday Films/the Planetary
Society) 30-minute summary.
And Then There Was Voyager (1992 video, NASA/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) A summary film on all
the stops on the Voyager mission.
Voyager: Missions to Jupiter and Saturn (1983 video, NASA/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) 20 minute
summary video, with nice footage.
Saturn and Its Moons (1982 slide set, American Association of Physics Teachers)
Slide sets of the Saturn system have also been available from Hansen Planetarium, Holiday Films, and the
Planetary Society.
Also, see the Planetary System and Worlds in Comparison slide sets under the “solar system in general”
resources.
URANUS
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Davis, J. Flyby. 1987 Atheneum. Excellent journalist’s account of the Voyage 2 flyby of Uranus and what was
learned.
Littmann, M. Planets Beyond: Discovering the Outer Solar System, 2nd ed. 1989, John Wiley. A nice
introduction to the history and current understanding of the 3 outermost planets.
Miner, E. Uranus. 1990, Ellis Horwood/Simon & Schuster. Definitive account of the Voyager flyby and the
Uranus system by one of the principal scientists.
Rothery, C. Satellites of the Outer Planets. 1992, Oxford U. Press. A geologist examines the distant moons.
Gore, R. “Uranus: Voyager visits a Dark Planet” in National Geographic, Aug 1986.
Morrison, D. “A Refined View of Miranda” in Mercury, Mar/Apr 1989, p. 55.
Murrill, M. “Voyager: The Grandest Tour” in Mercury, May/June 1993, p. 67. Clear summary of all the Voyager
encounters.
Overbye, D. “Voyager Was on Target Again” in Discover, Apr 1986, p. 70.
Detailed coverage of the Voyager flyby of Uranus and its satellites can be found in the April and October 1986
issues of Sky & Telescope, and in the April and May 1986 issues of Astronomy.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Apfel, N. Voyager to the Planets. 1991, Clarion Books.
Ardley, N. The Outer Planets. 1987, Schoolhouse Press.
Asimov, I. Uranus: The Sideways Planet. 1988, Gareth Stevens.
Branley, F. Uranus: The Seventh Planet. 1988, Crowell.
Harris, A. & Weissman, P. The Great Voyager Adventure. 1990, Julian Messner.
Verba, J. Voyager: Exploring the Outer Planets. 1991, Lerner Publications.
Krumenaker, L. “The Discovery of Uranus’ Rings” in Odyssey, 1992, issue 4, p. 40.
Grades 7-9
Davis, D. & Yeomans, D. Distant Planets. 1989, Facts on File.
Radlauer, R. & Young, C. Voyagers 1 & 2: Robots in Space. 1987, Children’s Press.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
Uranus: I Will See Such Things. 91987 video, NASA/Astronomical Society of the Pacific). Excellent summary
of the Voyager encounter; tape also has Miranda: The Movie, a computer generator “fly-over” of the odd
moon, Miranda.
The Planet That Got Knocked on its Side (1987 video, Coronet Films) An episode of the NOVA public television
series on the Voyager flyby.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune: The Voyager Missions. (1992 video, NASA/Holiday Films/the Planetary
Society) 30-minute summary.
And Then There Was Voyager (1992 video, NASA/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) A summary film on all
the stops on the Voyager mission.
On Robot Wings: A Flight through the Solar System 91992 video, NASA/Holiday Films/the Planetary Society)
Includes Miranda: The Movie.
Voyager at Uranus (1986 slide set, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) 15 slides and a 20-page booklet.
NEPTUNE
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Burgess, E. Far Encounter: The Neptune System. 1991, Columbia U. Press. A summary of the Voyager mission
and its results.
Littmann, M. Planets Beyond: Discovering the Outer Solar System, 2nd ed. 1989, John Wiley. A nice
introduction to the history and current understanding of the 3 outermost planets.
Rothery, C. Satellites of the Outer Planets. 1992, Oxford U. Press. A geologist examines the distant moons.
Coverage of the Voyager Neptune encounter was in Sky & Telescope, Oct 1989 (p. 358) and Feb 1990 (p. 136);
and Astronomy, Nov 1989 (p. 20) and Dec 1989 (p. 22).
Croswell K. “The Titan/Triton Connection” in Astronomy, Apr 1993, p. 26. About similarities among the worlds
in the outer solar system.
Croswell, K. “To the Edge: Missions to Pluto and Neptune” in Astronomy, May 1992, p. 34. Possible future
missions to the outermost planets.
Gore, R. “Neptune: Voyager’s Last Picture Show” in National Geographic, Aug 1990, p. 35.
Kaufmann, W. “Voyager at Neptune” in Mercury, Nov/Dec 1989, p. 174.
Limaye, S. “Neptune’s Weather Forecast: Cloudy, Windy, and Cold” in Astronomy, Aug 1991, p. 38.
Moore, P. “The discovery of Neptune” in Mercury, Jul/Aug 1989, p. 98. A nice historical summary.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Apfel, N. Voyager to the Planets. 1991, Clarion Books.
Asimov, I. Neptune: The Farthest Giant. 1990, Gareth Stevens. Good introduction, written after the Voyager
encounter.
Harris, A. & Weissman, P. The Great Voyager Adventure. 1990, Julian Messner.
Verba, J. Voyager: Exploring the Outer Planets. 1991, Lerner Publications.
Grades 7-9
Davis, D. & Yeomans, D. Distant Planets. 1989, Facts on File.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
The Neptune Kit (1990 slide set, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) 12 slides from the Voyager encounter
with a 32-page booklet of captions and background information.
Voyager Encounters Neptune (1990 slide set, Planetary Society) 20 slides.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune: The Voyager Missions. (1992 video, NASA/Holiday Films/the Planetary
Society) 30-minute summary.
And Then There Was Voyager (1992 video, NASA/Astronomical Society of the Pacific) A summary film on all
the stops on the Voyager mission.
Voyager Neptune Encounter Highlights (1990 video, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) A summary film of all
the stops on the Voyager mission.
PLUTO
SELECTED READINGS FOR TEACHERS AND VISITING ASTRONOMERS
Hoyt, W. Planets X and Pluto. 1980, U. of Arizona Press. The History from a more scholarly perspective, by a
historian.
Littmann, M. Planets Beyond: Discovering the Outer Solar System, 2nd ed. 1989, John Wiley. A nice
introduction to the history and current understanding of the 3 outermost planets.
Tombaugh, C. & Moore, P. Out of the Darkness: The Planet Pluto. 1980, Stackpole books. By the planet’s
discoverer; gives the history our learning about Pluto.
Beatty, J. & Kilian A. “Discovering Pluto’s Atmosphere” Sky & Telescope, Dec 1988, p. 624.
Croswell, K. “Pluto: Enigma at the Edge of the Solar System” in Astronomy, July 1986, p. 6.
Croswell, K. “To the Edge: Missions to Pluto and Neptune” in Astronomy, May 1992, p. 34.
Harrington, R & B. “The Discovery of Pluto’s Moon” in Mercury, Jan/Feb 1979, p. 1.
Tombaugh, C. “The Discovery of Pluto” in Mercury, May/Jun 1986, p. 66 and Jul/Aug 1986, p. 98. The story as
told by the discoverer.
SELECTED READINGS FOR STUDENTS
Grades 4-6
Asimov, I. Uranus: The Sideways Planet. 1988, Gareth Stevens.
Levy, D. “Clyde Tombaugh: The Man Who Found Pluto” in Odyssey, 1992, issue 4, p. 14.
Grades 7-9
Davis, D. & Yeomans, D. Distant Planets. 1989, Facts on File.
SELECTED VIDEO-VISUAL MATERIALS
The Discovery of Pluto (1983 video, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Interviews with and narration about
Clyde Tombaugh.
Cosmic Clips (1993 video, Astronomical Society of the Pacific) Short videos collection, including an animation of
Pluto and its satellite Charon, during the 1985-89 eclipse season.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Pluto is the only planet discovered in the 20th century and the story of how it was named makes for an interesting
class discussion or student research project. If another planet is discovered, what would students suggest
naming it. See:

Moore, P. “The Naming of Pluto” in Sky & Telescope, Nov 1984, p. 400.

Sagan, C. “A Planet Named George” in Broca’s Brain (1979, Random House)

Millman, P. “Names on Other Worlds” in Sky & Telescope, Jan 1984, p. 23.