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Alien Worlds: Your Guide to Extraterrestrial Life
Are we alone? Or could life on alien worlds really exist? David A. Aguilar, space artist extraordinaire, shows readers what creatures living on extrasolar planets might be like, using real science and stunning otherworldly illustration.
Just as Earth creatures have adapted to use the air, water, gravity, and other elements of Earth, creatures on planets orbiting distant stars would adapt to their environments. In Alien Worlds, David A. Aguilar explores seven types of alien-friendly worlds and the fun ways the creatures would adapt to the conditions. Accompanied by beautiful photo-realistic artwork, this book will open any kid's eyes to the likelihood that we are not alone.
Just as Earth creatures have adapted to use the air, water, gravity, and other elements of Earth, creatures on planets orbiting distant stars would adapt to their environments. In Alien Worlds, David A. Aguilar explores seven types of alien-friendly worlds and the fun ways the creatures would adapt to the conditions. Accompanied by beautiful photo-realistic artwork, this book will open any kid's eyes to the likelihood that we are not alone.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2013
About the author
David A. Aguilar
18 books9 followersDavid A. Aguilar is past Director of Science Information and Public Outreach at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, MA. A naturalist, astronomer, author and space artist, David’s expertise lies in showing us the fascinating connections between the universe and ourselves.
In 2015 he joined NASA's New Horizons Mission team to lead special media coverage for the historic PLUTO Flyby.
He is author and illustrator of seven National Geographic Society and three Random House Penguin books on space science.
2017's "7 Wonders of the Solar System" has garnered 2 book awards from the Nat'l Science Teachers Assoc, and the New York Public Library.
Other titles include: "Cosmic Catastrophes: Seven Ways to Destroy a Planet Like Earth"; ALIEN WORLDS" which examines just how surreal alien life may be throughout the Universe; "SPACE ENCYCLOPEDIA" winner of the 2008 VOYA (Voice of Youth) Award; 13 PLANETS - winner of the 2011 Eureka Gold Award for best science book for kids; and the upcoming "7 Wonders of the Milky Way" for release in June 2018.
His books and space art have appeared on the BBC, the “UNIVERSE” series on the History Channel, ABC Nightly News, Time magazine, US News & World Report CNN, NY Times, USA Today, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, Astronomy, and Scientific American.
He is past Director of Fiske Planetarium and Science Center and the producer of the Science Discovery Program at University of Colorado Boulder; past Marketing Communications Director at Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation; and former Marketing Director for PBS’s Emmy-winning NOVA series, Evolution.
He is a Smithsonian Scholar Enrichment Lecturer and Harvard Expert Study Tour Leader. In 2010, asteroid 1990DA was named to honor his contributions to science education.
David and wife Shirley reside just outside Aspen, CO. For more information please flyby our site at: www.aspenskies.com or davidaguilar.org
In 2015 he joined NASA's New Horizons Mission team to lead special media coverage for the historic PLUTO Flyby.
He is author and illustrator of seven National Geographic Society and three Random House Penguin books on space science.
2017's "7 Wonders of the Solar System" has garnered 2 book awards from the Nat'l Science Teachers Assoc, and the New York Public Library.
Other titles include: "Cosmic Catastrophes: Seven Ways to Destroy a Planet Like Earth"; ALIEN WORLDS" which examines just how surreal alien life may be throughout the Universe; "SPACE ENCYCLOPEDIA" winner of the 2008 VOYA (Voice of Youth) Award; 13 PLANETS - winner of the 2011 Eureka Gold Award for best science book for kids; and the upcoming "7 Wonders of the Milky Way" for release in June 2018.
His books and space art have appeared on the BBC, the “UNIVERSE” series on the History Channel, ABC Nightly News, Time magazine, US News & World Report CNN, NY Times, USA Today, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, Astronomy, and Scientific American.
He is past Director of Fiske Planetarium and Science Center and the producer of the Science Discovery Program at University of Colorado Boulder; past Marketing Communications Director at Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation; and former Marketing Director for PBS’s Emmy-winning NOVA series, Evolution.
He is a Smithsonian Scholar Enrichment Lecturer and Harvard Expert Study Tour Leader. In 2010, asteroid 1990DA was named to honor his contributions to science education.
David and wife Shirley reside just outside Aspen, CO. For more information please flyby our site at: www.aspenskies.com or davidaguilar.org
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 23, 2018
While a neat concept, this book does NOT clearly state for a young reader that it is primarily fiction, the rest non fiction intro then specific scientists guesses at what could be (lip service is paid with a tiny piece at the very beginning next to the table of contents). This concern held with me through the book. The fake ocean world in the book has a nod to the sirulian hypothesis which posits there may have been a prior, more advanced civilization on Earth. Overall I just think this could have been structured in a way that was less likely to cause misconceptions in a young readers mind.
May 27, 2020
Alien Worlds is a great book for younger audiences interested in astrobiology and aliens in general.
The illustrations are amazing, although some of the extraterrestrials are very far fetched. Some lifeforms are obviously hybrids of different animals from Earth and can't really be justified with convergent evolution.
Although I understand this is a book for a younger audience, the aliens could have used some scientific redesign.
The illustrations are amazing, although some of the extraterrestrials are very far fetched. Some lifeforms are obviously hybrids of different animals from Earth and can't really be justified with convergent evolution.
Although I understand this is a book for a younger audience, the aliens could have used some scientific redesign.
October 9, 2013
Wonderfully imaginative speculations on what sorts of environments and life forms might be found on planets that could support within our galaxy. Outstanding illustrations.
February 24, 2014
Recommended Ages: grades 4 - 7
This read more like a fictional book about aliens - don't know if I would use it as nonfiction.
This read more like a fictional book about aliens - don't know if I would use it as nonfiction.
March 24, 2015
Interesting mix of science and speculation.
August 15, 2016
Imaginative!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews