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Vacation Guide to the Solar System: Science for the Savvy Space Traveler!

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Packed with real science and fueled by imagination, a beautifully illustrated travel guide to traveling in our solar system

Imagine taking a hike along the windswept red plains of Mars to dig for signs of life, or touring one of Jupiter's sixty-four moons where you can photograph its swirling storms. For a shorter trip on a tight budget, the Moon is quite majestic and very quiet if you can make it during the off-season.

With four-color illustrations and packed with real-world science, The Vacation Guide to the Solar System is the must-have planning guide for the curious space adventurer, covering all of the essentials for your next voyage, how to get there, and what to do when you arrive. Written by an astronomer from The American Museum of Natural History and one of the creators of the Guerilla Science collective, this tongue-in-cheek reference guide is an imaginative exploration into the What if of space travel, sharing fascinating facts about space, the planets in our solar system, and even some moons!"

234 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

57 people are currently reading
1199 people want to read

About the author

Olivia Koski

3 books2 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
Profile Image for Ian.
983 reviews60 followers
December 9, 2022
We all know the old saying about not judging a book by its cover, but I will admit it was the retro sci-fi style of picture on the cover that drew me into this one. I’ve always had a bit of a thing for space art, and there’s plenty of that in here.

This book seeks to pass on knowledge about the solar system without taking itself too seriously. It’s written as if it were a guide book for those planning a holiday in another world. The Moon is “best for a quick getaway”. Meanwhile, “If you’re looking for a sun-filled holiday, there is no better place than Mercury,” and so on. There’s lots of great pop-art of the type shown on the cover, with each main destination shown in the form of an old-style holiday poster, with a suitable slogan – “The Mysteries of Saturn” or “Europa’s Deep Sea – Dive the Icy Ocean”. The myriad dangers of the other planets are also treated in holiday brochure language. There’s a warning not to dive too far into the atmosphere of the gas giants because of the increasing pressure. “Dealing with an imploded ship is unpleasant on a relaxing holiday.”

Beneath the jocularity, though, the book imparts a lot of knowledge about the other plants and moons of the solar system. Continuing the theme of imploding ships, the books conveys just what a hostile place the rest of the solar system is to humans. Atmospheres that are either poisonous or non-existent, murderous extremes of temperature, massive doses of radiation - basically death hangs over the visitor at every moment! Each chapter highlights the main “sights” of each planet, and in doing so passes on a lot of information about each world. The book would be enjoyable for those who like collecting facts. I would say though that after a while the chapters do become a bit repetitive.

A light read, and a fun one for space nerds like myself.


Profile Image for Lada Moskalets.
408 reviews68 followers
October 12, 2019
Крутезна книжка для всіх хто любить астрономію і всіх, хто як я, любить платонічно, не розуміючи як вона працює. Книжка написана в рамках проекту Guerilla Science в стилі путівника по Місяцю і планетах Сонячної системи, з детальними поясненнями - як їсти в невагомості, як митися, коли вибрати момент, щоб полетіти на Нептун чи Плутон і скільки часу це займе, які різні заняття собі можна придумати в радіоактивних, надгарячих чи надхолодних середовищах планет. Наприклад, на планетах з іншою гравітацією, ніж на Землі можна грати в бейсбол, а виглядатиме це зовсім інакше.
Книжка написана з безмежною любов'ю до науки і після неї хочеться засісти за підручник з фізики, щонайменше. Ілюстрації в стилі постерів 1960х також класні.
Profile Image for Dennis.
663 reviews330 followers
Currently reading
February 9, 2021
Got this from the Intergalactic Travel Bureau.

description

Well, one has to be prepared for when traveling does become a suitable option again.

I'm even bringing my own food.

description
Profile Image for Maryna Ponomaryova.
685 reviews61 followers
October 25, 2019
Це чудова книжечка, з прекрасним оформленням (чого вартують ці туристичні постери планет!), яку вже просто приємно тримати в руках. Але потім, коли дізнаєшся скільки всього запаковано в ній - кожна планета нашої сонячної системи детально і водночас просто описана (з гумором, і з маркетингово-туристичної точки зору, що часто викликає посмішку), і раптом ці далекі космічні тіла нашої крихітної сонячної системи вже здаються реальнішими - уявляєш собі атмосферу, кольори, ґрунт, кратери, гори, ущелини, газ, радіацію, зміну днів і ночей. І стає затишно від того, що десь там це є, а ми загорнені на нашій одинокій планетці в такий тендітний і важливий шар атмосфери, в такому прекрасному комфорті.
Якщо одним словом, книга - космос.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
1,406 reviews264 followers
July 15, 2018
Such a clever idea for a primer on the planetary science of the solar system.

It is what it says on the cover: a Lonely Planet-style guidebook for a potential tourist for each of the planets including moons, the asteroid belt, Pluto and other KBOs and a few other details. The book focuses on what it would be like for the traveler to get there and be on or near the various planets and major planetological features, as well as including a handful of fictional features like imaginative tourist activities.

This educates without overwhelming, and even for someone who's quite familiar with solar system features at least a pop-science level, there's still plenty here to pick up. It's also nowhere near as exhaustive as it might be, leaving the whole thing at a manageable length for what could be quite dry material.
Profile Image for Lauren .
1,835 reviews2,551 followers
November 9, 2017
Such a fun and creative concept: the Intergalactic Travel Bureau's promotions for trips within our solar system. Using this framing device, Olivia Koski created this thoroughly scientific (yet completely accessible) way to learn about our nearest plantery neighbors and the space between us and them.

Are you a thrill-seeker? a daredevil? Mercury or Mars may be best for you:


Sail the methane seas, repel the Martian canyons, sky dive in Neptune...

Maybe you need a more contemplative and restorative trip? (with the realization that it will take a long time to get there, and you likely won't be able to return...) consider the outer gas giants... or one of their moons, Saturn may be the right fit, or Jupiter's Ganymede moon.

Each planet, and many of the satellites around the planets, get detailed descriptions of what the geology, the atmosphere, and the activities one could do there (with a fully protective suit, of course).

It's just enough suspension of belief and creativity to feel sci-fi/speculative. Koski collaborates with Steven Thomas for great illustration, this retro travel poster style then combining with the latest astrophysics to make all of this seem somewhat plausible. Love the dedication to the concept, and totally worth the read.
Profile Image for Amanda .
144 reviews29 followers
November 19, 2021
Absolutely adored this! I've always been intrigued by the solar system and this "Vacation Guide" filled me with inspired wonder as the authors melded established facts and data with science-backed speculation about these fascinating planets, their moons, our moon...and Pluto. It made for a truly engaging read.

I loved how the authors described things and laid information out in more tangible and memorable ways. In some texts, it's like you get lists of details and facts, but unless maybe you're a scientist yourself, then sometimes those things don't mean a whole lot to you or don't stick in your mind very effectively. You can tell me that Saturn is mainly comprised of hydrogen, or you can explain how it would float if placed in a bathtub full of water, should there be one so large. I think one paints a more vivid image.

Really, my only complaint was that it would occasionally get into its vacation guide roleplay a little too much and the humor could be a little overdone at times, especially in conjunction with the exuberant audio narrator. I eventually got used to it, though I can see how it might be grating for some people.

As a speculative-fiction writer, I discovered a wealth of inspiration in this book and it's been a helpful resource for a project I already had in the works. I feel like this book is very accessible to a wide audience, so can easily say that I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the topic!
Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].
2,046 reviews758 followers
December 6, 2021
An interesting approach to examining the solar system and introducing the planets and other areas of interest. More pop-sci than heavy science, although it delightfully incorporates physics and astronomy in a travel guide voice.

The various planetary features were fun to learn about, along with the beginning notice of the challenges of living in space and/or on objects that are not Earth, although the breathless awe the authors project towards private space companies just hits wrong in this year of 2021 with the billionaires joy-riding off into space while the rest of the planet is nose-deep in a pandemic. Granted, the book was written in 2017, well before this whole plague times, but regardless the blithely cool tone just didn't age well.
Profile Image for The Irregular Reader.
422 reviews47 followers
June 4, 2017
More reviews at www.theirregularreaderblog.worldpress...!

Is the grind of life on Earth getting you down? Want to get away? Look no further! Vacation Guide to the Solar System is your one-stop guide to the farthest reaches of our celestial neighborhood. Want to know what to pack for a trip to Pluto? What to do when you arrive on Venus? What bungee jumping on Neptune would be like? Wonder no more!

In all seriousness, this book provides a huge amount of information, packaged in art deco, retro-futuristic kitsch. In addition to sci-fi information like baseball tournaments on the moon and ice skating (with heated skates to melt the rock-like ice) on Pluto, the book is also packed with the latest information on our neighboring planets, celestial bodies, comets, dwarf planets, and alien moons. The book itself is stunning, with gorgeous retro travel posters and illustrations combined with actual photos from NASA's archives.

The whole thing was put together under the umbrella of Guerrilla Science (you should check out their website here). Guerrilla Science is a rouge collection of scientists and artists whose goal is to bring science to wide audiences through interactive and innovative installations and events. Their Intergalactic Travel Bureau provided the seed for this book.

This is a great source for information on our solar system, appropriate for kids and adults alike. Fans of astronomy, science, and science fiction should jump on this book. Anyone who likes entertaining nonfiction (Mary Roach's Packing for Mars immediately springs to mind) will enjoy this book.

An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Yuliia Zadnipriana.
698 reviews48 followers
January 1, 2020
Це не книжка, а паперова подорож!

Можна визначити жанр видання як "книга-мантрівка"? Не путівник, а саме мандрівка, адже вона проведе вас через всю нашу Сонячну систему, розкаже про підготовку до польоту, про можливі ризики та нюанси перебування у космосі. Ви відвідаєте кожну планету, дізнаєтесь більше про супутники та космічні небезпеки.

Книга написана живою, зрозумілою мовою у науково-популярному стилі з домішками гумору та деякої фантазії авторів.


Ця книга — ваш космічний провідник, з безліччю цікавих фактів та маленьких відкриттів. Вона має зручний формат, кольорові ілюстрації, її надзвичайно приємно просто тримати в руках і гортати! На які би ви сторінці не розгорнули цю красуню — вам буде цікаво.

Це той випадок, коли у книзі поєднано і прекрасне художнє оформлення і якісне поліграфічне виконання, а від такого читання хочеться потім ще місяць всім розказувати про цю класну книгу.

Вона підійде всім: і тим, хто вже закоханий у космічну тематику, і хто ще ні; дітям і дорослим. Можу навіть сказати, що це чудовий подарунок і для тих, хто взагалі не читає. Після такої книги не закохатись у читання буде складно!🤩
Profile Image for Katy.
2,176 reviews220 followers
physical_to-read_stack
June 29, 2017
I received my copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bohdan Horbai.
165 reviews4 followers
October 10, 2019
От їй-бо, якби в мене було 3-4 скафандри, кілька власних клонів, космічний корабель і кріокамера, махнув би на Плутон із всіма супутниками! Вам сподобається відчути себе космотуристом.
29 reviews3 followers
July 25, 2020
Просто неймовірна книга! Наш Всесвіт має, здається, невичерпні можливості дивувати. А форма путівника наштовхує на міркування про те, що він не такий вже й далекий, це справді можливість, яка відкриється, скоріш за все, ще за нашого життя.
Мене переповнюють думки та емоції! Читати обов'язково! Тим більше, що український переклад і видання виконані на дуже високому рівні (хоча видавництво Жорж раніше мені взагалі не траплялося на очі).
Profile Image for Grumpus.
498 reviews305 followers
July 5, 2017
Cool travelogue written as if the planets and their moons were vacation destinations. May be a little too much detail if you're not into space/astronomy but it is a quick read.
Profile Image for Andrew.
546 reviews7 followers
January 15, 2018
Many have discussed the possibility of living on Mars. Few have discussed sending humans to other planets. The author goes through our solar system and discusses the challenges of visiting each planet. This is a reasonable introduction for juveniles to the solar system. Most well read science geeks will get a bit bored with this book's childish tone. Nonetheless, Koski's compilation of travel time, temperatures and atmosphere conditions is accurate science.
Each planet in the solar system is covered as well as the satellites around the planets. A bit of creativity and imagination will help the reader enjoy this book. Will definitely recommend for kids interested in the solar system.
Profile Image for Yaryna Zhukorska.
336 reviews13 followers
September 8, 2023

Потрібно відвести окрему полицю в домашній бібліотеці під книги, які я купую, не розуміючи навіщо вони мені, але з рук вже не випускаю)

Ось так і з цією.

Але «якщо ми не самознищимося до того, то колись людство вирушить у подорож описаними тут місцями»))

Тут немає інсайтів - лише політ уяви.
Ти повністю занурюєшся у космічні мандрівки.
Так яскраво, детально, що дійсно складається враження, що ти здійснив подорож по Сонячній системі)
Місяць
Меркурій
Венера
Марс
Юпітер
Сатурн
Уран
Нептун
Плутон

Після будь-якого гарного відпочинку може бути і радісно, і гірко повертатися до нормального життя. Не поспішайте, дайте собі час на переоцінку цінностей. Якщо стреси життя дійматисуть вас, погляньте на нічне небо й уявіть себе поміж зір (с).

#451deepreading
Profile Image for Book pleasure.
63 reviews5 followers
December 15, 2023
Дуже приємна фантазія в обгортці наук-попу про те, як можна провести відпустку, або життя, на планетах Сонячної системи. Написаний путівник достатньо просто і доступно, щоб захопити навіть дитину. При цьому - це достатньо грунтовна та докладна книжка, яка цілком здатна захопити дорослого. З Путівника для туристів ви дізнаєтесь не лише про більш-менш знайомі нам особливості планет зі шкільного курсу. Тут і розповіді про їхню атмосферу (чи її відсутність), цікаві описи місцевих пам'яток, практичні поради, як розважитись і максимально приємно провести час. Включаючи візити на супутники. А ще там купа картинок)))
Але є у цій бочці меду своя ложка дьогтю. Жорж доклали певних зусиль, щоб книжка виглядала як справжній путівник: компактна, на хорошому ламінованому папері (можна було б його робити не таким білим, бо очам боляче), непоганим шрифтом. А потім ви починаєте читати. І трошки дивуєтесь, чому бачите не надто якісний, щоб не сказати слабкий переклад. А від кількості "так що" по тексту в мене наприкінці вже око сіпалося.
В цілому ж - дуже приємно провела цей тиждень разом з книжкою.
І так. Липка стрічка у космосі - незамінна річ! Доведено екіпажем Аполлону))))))
Profile Image for Victoria.
625 reviews
September 20, 2017
Clever, clever, clever. My brain is not in the mood to fully digest this book, but I've had fun skipping through it. Set up like a travel guide ("What to See" - "Getting There" - "Weather and Climate" etc) this science-based book provides info about our neighboring planets and their moons. The author details how to train for space travel, what to pack, best time to go, and suggestions for what to do on the varying planets. Ski on Pluto. Deep sea excursions on Europa.

And ... excellent illustrations!

Obviously some of this is tongue-in-cheek, but it does present recent research and facts and is a creative way to explore and learn about the universe.
Profile Image for Trinia.
767 reviews36 followers
September 27, 2017
This was a fun read , chock filled with lots of facts about our solar system. What sets this book apart is the format that the authors used to give you the details. They made it into a fun travel guide including topics such as: What to do? Activities when on each planet. When to travel? How long it takes for a text to send, etc. The comparisons between a normal vacation and one on Venus, for example, was really fun to imagine.
Great read for adults and kids!
911 reviews39 followers
January 6, 2018
I found this on a the bookshelf of a friend of mine who is also a friend of the authors'. I enjoyed it immensely. It's clever and creative, taking the reader on a journey through the solar system with a touch of imagination and a heavy amount of useful information. I learned a lot about the planets that I didn't know before. I will definitely consult this book before my next interplanetary vacation!
Profile Image for Marie.
Author 80 books116 followers
November 7, 2019
Cute, light read of factoids about the solar system. I think this will honestly be a nice quick reference for writing science fiction, because it highlights the details a writers looks for -- what color is everything? What is the light like? -- that are hard to get from a wikipedia article.

and the illustrations are charming. I'm really wanting to write something that takes place in orbit of Saturn now.
Profile Image for Ariel.
1,332 reviews64 followers
September 11, 2017
This was a delightful way to get to know interesting facts about the solar system, complete with beautifully rendered travel posters, a fun writing style, and a plethora of facts you'll have so much fun with, you won't even know you're learning.
350 reviews7 followers
October 17, 2017
I enjoyed this thoroughly! It answered some important questions for me. Like what would it be like to descend to the "surface" of Jupiter! Utterly dreamy!
Profile Image for Rita Zerbinatti.
110 reviews56 followers
June 23, 2020
Um favorito! Completamente apaixonadaaaaaa por esse livro <3
Profile Image for Ray Smillie.
743 reviews
July 11, 2021
Well written with interesting facts plus some good humour. Tells you what you need to know for your planned visits to the other planets in our solar system (pleasing to see they included the demote Pluto), along with some of their moons. I would have truly loved this if it had been around when I was a bairn.
Profile Image for aa.mtks.
29 reviews
August 16, 2023
najbardziej w tej ksiazce mi sie podobal pomysl na nią. nie podzielam poczucia humoru autorek i to nie pozwalalo wyciagac z niej informacji na powaznie, plus za fotografie
Profile Image for Elysa.
1,920 reviews18 followers
April 17, 2022
This travel guide to the solar system was a fun weekend read. It's a combination of real science and imagined activities and places to visit on the planets. It was amusing and informative. Unfortunately, now I want to travel through the solar system.
Profile Image for Taras Petrytsyn.
81 reviews2 followers
March 1, 2020
Захоплюю книжка, яка занурить вас в атмосферу інших світів у буквальному сенсі цього слова :) В кінці стає навіть сумно, що подорож планетами нашої зоряної системи закінчилась. Особливо рекомендую цю книжку дітям, для заохочення їх вивченню природничих наук.
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