Preface

In this book, I focus on astronomy. Astronomy is an Earth Science that studies the universe. This includes the study of the sun, space, moon, stars, planets, galaxies, and so much more. Astronomy is important because it affects our daily life, including our weather and oceans. It is also important because it helps us understand how our solar system was formed and it can help us find out if there is life outside of this Earth!

Once upon a time in a place far from Earth's surface, a place so far away from Earth's sea floor, there was a little satellite that lived in space. He looked like a small grain of sand from Earth. He was always in constant motion because he orbited Earth. He loved to circle around Earth because he could see all the beautiful oceans and land mass. The little satellite was always very cheerful and happy.

The little satellite did not know it, but he was so important to Earth. The meteorologists sent the little satellite into space so he could help them predict the weather and track hurricanes. The little satellite flew above the clouds, dust, and molecules of the Earth's atmosphere. Since the little satellite was so high up in space, he could see a wide area of Earth, making it easy for him to collect data and transfer that information back down to the meteorologists.

The meteorologists wanted the satellite to be up in space for a long period of time so they made him strong enough to withstand the challenges of space. The little satellite is made with materials like kevlar and aluminum that help protect the satellite by making it durable and strong. The little satellite also has dimensional stability which helps keep its shape, size, and structure while going through different temperature changes.

The little satellite was made with an antenna on his head that helps him send and receive information. In order for him to have the energy to continue working properly and to have the power to rotate around the globe, he needs a power source. This can be either a battery or solar panel. He considers himself very lucky because everyday he can see different parts of the world.

As the little satellite orbited Earth, he observed many events occur on Earth like an avalanche on a mountain, blizzards in the midwest of the United States, cyclones near the Pacific Ocean, hurricanes by the Gulf of Mexico, earthquakes, rainfall in Columbia, and thunderstorms. He also gets to see amazing things like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, glaciers, volcanoes in Hawaii, and icebergs in the North Atlantic Ocean.

One day, as the little satellite was looking over Earth, an asteroid flew right past him and almost collided with him! The little satellite yelled out, "Hey! where are you going?" The asteroid responded, "I'm assigned to fall down to Earth!" for which the satellite responded, "No! You can't! You'll put a crater in the Earth! You need to find somewhere else to go." The asteroid drifted back to the satellite. "Fine, I'll go find another planet." The little satellite looked a little confused and asked, "What's a planet?"

"Earth! Earth is a planet, so is Venus, Saturn, Mars...Pluto was a planet, but it isn't anymore, but some people still consider it a planet but-" "Okay okay I get it. But Earth isn't the only planet out there?" questioned the satellite. "Of course not! There is a whole Solar System that we live in that contains many planets! Most of them aren't as 'earthy' as this one right here, but they're still pretty great!" exclaimed the asteroid. "Do they have oxygen? What about water?" The little satellite had so many questions, he was very interested with this interaction with the asteroid.



"All the planets have different temperatures which depends on their distance from the sun. They also have different gravitational pulls because anything that has mass, has gravity." stated the asteroid." The little satellite responded, "Wow, that is amazing." "Yes it is, there are so many celestial bodies in space. Earth is in the solar system and the solar system is in the Milky Way Galaxy and the Milky Way is just one of billion galaxies in our universe!" The little satellite could not believe what he was hearing.



The satellite said, "I knew stars existed because I see constellations all the time but a whole universe that I didn't know about? How was it created?" The asteroid replied, "The Big Bang. It is a theory that states our universe started as a small, confined little ball, it was smaller than an atom. One day it exploded and expanded into the universe that is here today. As it was expanding, all that energy turned into particles of matter and protons and neutrons began to form."

"It all sounds amazing. Can you show me the entire universe?"asked the little satellite. The asteroid replied, "Hmm let's do a quick analysis of how important you are to Earth. Earth benefits by you being up here. You automatically send them information that you accumulate up here. You can see a wide area of Earth that they can't see down there. If Earth can find an alternative to you, then maybe I can take you out of your constant rotation that you are confined to so you can explore like an astronomer. "

"How will I come in contact with Earth and tell them I want to leave? They only understand the information I send them about the weather, nothing else" said the little satellite. "Okay let me think, we are going to have to come up with a plan. We have to make Earth think you're incompetent. Like you have a technical issue or something. Then, they will have to find a replacement that is equal to you. In the event that they don't think they can fix you, then they'll send in another satellite and you're free to go. You can exert yourself from orbit to travel the galaxy."

"Imagine me traveling the galaxy. How wonderful that would be. I would get to see all types of cosmic matter. Maybe I'll see some extraterrestrial life, or make some friends with a meteoroid. What if I meet another asteroid like you? I know you won't be completely identical, you'll have different shapes but I would love to meet another object like you." said the little satellite. The asteroid responded, "I know this is a major decision for you to make. Don't let me influence your decision because it is up to you. Whatever happens, it can have a negative impact on Earth."