To read about Robert Benfer and his archaeological research, go to his Web site at rcp.missouri.edu/bobbenfer/index.html (University of Missouri–Columbia).
When the Peruvian Incans left their ancient city of Machu Picchu, the jungle covered it and hid it from the outside world for centuries. A man named Hiram Bingham went looking for lost cities and met a young boy who knew of something mysterious on a mountain called Machu Picchu . . . This full-color illustrated book follows Bingham (and the boy he met) as he scrambles along treacherous jungle paths to his amazing goal. There is a factual insert about the eventual excavation of Machu Picchu, as well as a pronunciation guide to some of the Spanish and Quecha words the author uses in the text.
Fragrant flowers and exotic plants filled the gardens of Uraniborg, or "Castle of the Heavens." A golden statue of Pegasus crowned the castle's highest spire. Inside the exquisite building, three thousand voluminous books were shelved, and a great globe marked the locations of over a thousand stars. Does this place sound magical? It was a real castle that existed over four hundred years ago, on a tiny Danish island, where astronomer Tycho Brahe dedicated his life and his castle to observing celestial bodies. Learn about where his fascination with the stars began, the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn that provoked him to begin an astronomical journal, and the parallax calculations that made Brahe famous. Find out about the astronomical instruments that Brahe designed, and read about the circumstances of his departure from the fantastical observatory that he had created. This biography includes black-and-white period illustrations, as well as a few activities to investigate some of the topics that Brahe studied, suggestions for further reading, a glossary, a chronology, and an index.
As the night grows darker, tiny bursts of light appear in the sky. Stargazers come out to look for patterns, shapes, and colors. Some stargazers are called astronomers, people who study the stars. They sometimes use giant telescopes to see more of what the sky has to offer. You can become a stargazer too, with a small telescope, binoculars, or just your own two eyes. Gail Gibbons' colorful picture book shows you what to look for in the night sky—constellations, galaxies, and special stars. An explanation of how a telescope works and a visit to a planetarium are also featured. A timeline of stargazing history and a section of surprising facts are included.
archaeology The scientific study of past human life and culture. Archaeology includes the study of ancient cities and the tools, clothing, and pottery that people made and used.
astronomy The scientific study of the university and the objects in it, including stars, planets, and galaxies. People who study astronomy examine not only visible light but also radio waves, x-rays, and other kinds of radiation that come from outside Earth's atmosphere.
El Niño A period during which the surface water of the eastern Pacific Ocean becomes warmer than usual. The warmer water has fewer nutrients, causing fish and plankton to die because of lack of food. El Niño also causes heavy rains in South America and drought in Australia and Indonesia.
observatory A building that is specially designed and equipped for observing things, such as the weather or objects in outer space.
solstice Either of the two times during the year when the Sun is farthest north or south of the equator. The two solstices are known as the summer solstice and the winter solstice.
Going Deeper
![[book]](/articles/20070418/a1440_b1960.jpg)
– Ted Lewin![[book]](/articles/20070418/a1440_b2460.jpg)
– Mary Gow![[book]](/articles/20070418/a1440_b3840.jpg)
– Gail Gibbons
