This is such a delightful book through the solar system. There are chapters devoted to each of the planets (and some other astronomical bodies) that cover science along with history, mythology, poetry, and literature. The goal is not to impart all the knowledge possible, but to invite the reader to glory in the wonder and mystery of the universe, and to long to know more in the future.
I read this book a bit ahead of First Son this year as he completed the Astronomy study guide from Sabbath Mood Homeschool. This study is considered required for the Astrophysics one he will be completing in the third term, so I selected it for his Earth Sciences in eleventh grade, even though it's designed for Form 3-4 science. It does include activities and labs, which were relatively easy to implement. Certainly First Son had more success with them than with some of the chemistry and physics experiments we've attempted over the high school years.
I added some work to increase the difficulty level a little.
- I made all the math exercises required. (They are optional in the text.)
- First Son read the skipped chapters of The Planets.
- I also added Brother Guy Consolmagno's Brother Astronomer to his required reading, with narrations.
- I think we'll also have time at the end for him to listen to An Introduction to the Universe.
- I wanted to add some evenings at the local observatory, but between Covid restrictions and our own schedule, we didn't make it there even once.
