Death Stars, Weird Galaxies, and a Quasar-Spangled Universe: The Discoveries of the Very Large Array Telescope

In 1931, Karl Jansky was hired by AT&T to search for sources of static that might interfere with radio waves for transatlantic communications. Jansky identified static from thunderstorms and random radio noise from devices on Earth, but he also found a radio hiss from the Milky Way galaxy.

After World War II, astronomers constructed more radio telescopes with greater sensitivity to faint radio signals from space. In the 1970s, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory built the Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope, on the plains of San Agustin, New Mexico. The VLA is well equipped to hunt for strange objects and solve astronomical mysteries.

The VLA receives radio signals from outer space. Most are so faint, a blastingly strong signal would be a cell phone ringing on the moon, 238,900 miles away from Earth. The VLA has shown ice on the burning-hot planet of Mercury, has discovered a burst of brand-new star formations, and has probed dying and exploding stars.

Karen Taschek introduces young readers to the wonders revealed by the VLA. She begins with basic information on our solar system and our own Milky Way galaxy and then extends the discussion to galaxies billions of light-years from Earth.

Reading level: 14 years and up

Author: Karen Taschek
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
Published: 05/16/2006
Pages: 88
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.18lbs
Size: 10.26h x 7.06w x 0.55d
ISBN: 9780826332110

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 05/01/2006 pg. 79
School Library Journal 07/01/2006 pg. 124
Science Books & Films 09/01/2006 pg. 213
Science Books & Films Best Bks 01/01/2007 pg. 4
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2006 pg. 389 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw
Voice of Youth Advocates 04/01/2007 pg. 82 - Recommended - Better Than Most

About the Author
Taschek, Karen: - Karen Taschek is the author of fourteen young adult books on horses, including Horse of Seven Moons, the prequel to The Risen Horse. She is the author of Death Stars, Weird Galaxies, and a Quasar-Spangled Universe and Hanging with Bats, and is coeditor for the Barbara Guth Worlds of Wonder Science Series for Young Readers (University of New Mexico Press).