Heidi Hammel is an out-of-this world explorer. With her feet planted firmly on Earth, she takes trips millions of miles out into space. How does she do this? Heidi Hammel is a planetary astronomer, a scientist who uses the world's most powerful telescopes to learn about planets. By making remarkable discoveries in the farthest reaches of our solar system, Heidi also helps us better understand the planet we call home. The giant planets Neptune and Uranus are Heidi's specialties. She was on the team that first spotted Neptune's Great Dark Spot, a raging storm as big as Earth. Heidi also led a team of astronomers tracking the Great Comet Crash, a spectacular event in which a fragmented comet pounded Jupiter for an entire week. There's no telling what Heidi will find when she peers into a telescope. That's what makes her work exciting. Beyond Jupiter is the fascinating story of a scientist and her science. To tell this true tale of adventure, author Fred Bortz draws on firsthand accounts from Heidi and her friends, family, and colleagues. How did a down-to-earth girl grow up to be one of the world's most highly respected astronomers? The life story of Heidi Hammel will intrigue and inspire readers of all ages.

Describes the life and career of Heidi Hammel, astronomer, focusing on her work on the planets of Neptune and Uranus.

Chronicles the discovery and explorations of the planet Jupiter and discusses each of its moons, its place in the solar system, and more.

When Wilson is taken away from his high school, he finds himself in the center of the Bulbous Wood, with little clue of how to get out. A stranger called Jarlsberg instructs him to make his way to Boxen Roxen, the city of children that cannot grow. In search of a purpose that will prove to his school principal he has worth, Wilson must make his way through this newfound land and get home. Getting home is not that easy though for he is light years from Earth and Wilson still wonders if his adventure is real at all or if he died in the bus crash and has reached paradise.

This book serves as a fascinating progress report on the outer solar system, offering a way to better appreciate the newest findings. It unlocks some of the mysteries surrounding Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto — from the drama of their discoveries to the startling results of Voyager 2’s historic 1989 encounter with Neptune.

Traces the history of scientific research on the planet Jupiter from the observations of Galileo to the explorations of the Pioneer and Voyager space probes.