Welcome to our galactic neighborhood. Your tour guide is David Aguilar, Director of Science Information at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. In this well-designed and informative science book for children 9 - 12 years of age, he brings us up-to-date on the solar system and the changes that we have discovered there. Two planets — Ceres and Eris — are new on the scene and they, along with Pluto, have all been classified as dwarf planets. Aguilar also introduces us to Haumea and Makemake, the new kids on the block.
After offering an explanation on how our solar system was formed, he then gives portraits of the eight classical planets and the five dwarf planets (13 total). Aguilar also discusses water on Mars, meteorites, comets, and the end of our solar system. The end result of 13 Planets is to serve as a spur to our spiritual practice of wonder.
