100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

🏆Don't forget Father's Day this Sunday! Auckland Bookstore open 8:30am-5:00pm Sat & Sun 🎉

Astronomy For Beginners

By Tom Mumbray and Sarah Hull
Series: For Beginners
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
A cosmic journey through astronomy, from the solar system to the far reaches of the universe. Have you ever wondered what stars are made of, or how they blaze into life? What about how a black hole works, or whether there's alien life somewhere in the... Read More
Format: Hardback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Astronomy For Beginners. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A cosmic journey through astronomy, from the solar system to the far reaches of the universe.

Have you ever wondered what stars are made of, or how they blaze into life? What about how a black hole works, or whether there's alien life somewhere in the universe? These are the kinds of incredible questions that astronomers spend their days trying to answer.

This book won't only give you basic answers, it really digs in to explain some seriously cool and mysterious ideas, from gravity to the origin of the universe to the problem of warping through spacetime. Find out what astronomers and cosmologists have discovered so far, how on Earth they figured it all out, and the head-scratching problems they're still puzzling over in this thrilling introduction.

Chapters in this book include:

  • Space rocks
  • How light works
  • Studying stars
  • Black holes
  • Gravity
  • Is anybody out there?

Exploring complex ideas in easy-to-digest chunks, with expert input from astronomer Dr Sheila Kanani MBE, Astronomy for Beginners is perfect for space-obsessed children aged 10 and above. Discover more from Usborne's award-winning For Beginners series.

Series: For Beginners

View all
  • Economics for Beginners
    Economics for Beginners is a highly illustrated introduction, perfect for complete beginners. Nobody has everything they need, all the time – so how can we make do with what we have? Economics is all about understanding the choices we make to solve this problem. With bright, infographic pictures, this informative book describes why markets are so important, how businesses work...
    By Andrew Prentice and Lara Bryan
    Hardback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • AI for Beginners
    Artificial Intelligence is all about humans asking computers and other machines to think and even behave like humans, and to take on jobs that people find too difficult or too boring. But how do you actually define the term? What exactly can machines with AI already do, and what might they be able to do in the future? AI for...
    By Rachel Firth and Rose Hall
    Hardback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Ecology for Beginners
    What Ecology is about, and how and why people study it. This book is the perfect answer to the question What is Ecology, and why should I care? Explore the basics of Ecology by following a wide variety of real-world examples about how living things cope in all sorts of environments. Learn how ecosystems work, explore how these complicated systems...
    By Andy Prentice and Lan Cook
    Hardback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Geography for Beginners
    An introduction to geography, which is all about how the world affects people, and how people affect the world. The world we live in is complex and constantly changing. It's battered by weather, shaken by earthquakes, and mined, farmed, and polluted by humans. Geography for Beginners helps readers understand these processes, make sense of our relationship with the planet, and...
    By Sarah Hull and Lara Bryan and Minna Lacey
    Hardback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Philosophy for Beginners
    An engaging, highly illustrated introduction to enjoy alone or encourage debate. Philosophy for Beginners is a way of thinking about just about anything. It asks big questions, such as "how can I be good?" or "what makes something beautiful?" Using lively examples, humorous illustrations, and simple thought experiments, this book opens up the world of philosophy to children and adults...
    By Jordan Akpojaro and Rachel Firth and Minna Lacey
    Hardback
    $2299
    Backorder
    Ships late September
  • Money for Beginners
    An informative introduction to the world of money, covering everything from bank accounts, earning and borrowing to government spending, taxes and inflation. With bright, infographic pictures, a detailed glossary and links to specially selected websites where you can visit a virtual bank, see money from around the world and more. Chapters in Money for Beginners include: What is money? Understand...
    By Eddie Reynolds and Matthew Oldham
    Hardback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Politics for Beginners
    Politics for Beginners by Louie Stowell, Rosie Hore, and Alex Frith is a highly illustrated, fun, and easy-to-read guide to politics in the modern world. This informative book covers political systems, elections, voting, government, and current issues, including feminism, human rights, freedom of speech, and fake news. The explanations are presented with clear text and bright, infographic-style illustrations. The book...
    By Louie Stowell and Rosie Hore and Alex Frith
    Hardback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Physics for Beginners
    Physics for Beginners offers a conversational approach to what physics is, and why it's interesting. Part of the best-selling ...for Beginners series, this book brings to life the wide world of physics. Rather than explaining details about how to do physics, it focuses on explaining what different branches of physics are about, how we know about them, and what mysteries...
    By Darran Stobbart and Rachel Firth and Minna Lacey
    Hardback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Psychology for Beginners
    Psychology for Beginners offers an accessible introduction to psychology for complete novices. Fully-illustrated and filled with real-world examples, this book explains the basics of psychology, from how people think, feel, and behave to how scientists can study and be sure about what is actually going on in other people's brains.
    By Lara Bryan and Eddie Reynolds and Rose Hall
    Hardback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Law for Beginners
    An accessible introduction to the world of law, for complete novices. An entertaining and thought-provoking guide to what laws are, who makes them, and how people enforce them. It covers crime and punishment as well as social and citizenship issues such as politics and international law, using a mixture of debates, cartoon strips, and clear diagrams. Chapters in Law for...
    By Lara Bryan and Rose Hall
    Hardback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Biology for Beginners
    A guide to everything that biology is about, from things we know, to things we don't know yet. Biology for Beginners explores the fascinating world of biology - the study of all life, from tiny bacteria to plants, animals and entire ecosystems. Discover how living things behave and interact, and the amazing ways they adapt to the world around them....
    By Minna Lacey and Lizzie Cope
    Hardback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Climate Change for Beginners
    Climate Change for Beginners explores what climate change is, why it's happening, and what we can do to reverse it. Climate change is having an enormous impact on the world around us - it has become a Climate Crisis. This book uses simple language and vivid illustrations to explain complex questions clearly. How does the climate work? What are we...
    By Andy Prentice and Eddie Reynolds
    Hardback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781805076629

Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 09 April 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Usborne Publishing Ltd

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Beatrix Hatcher

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 177.0mm

Height: 247.0mm

Weight: 530g

Pages: 128

Collections

Children's Books Children’s & Teenage Non-Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Education & Reference Sarah Hull Science & Nature Series: For Beginners Tom Mumbray

About the Author

Sarah grew up in London, then studied German and Fine Art in Oxford and Hamburg. She joined Usborne after working at Profile Books and Thames & Hudson, and now spends her time writing about art, investigating germs and devising ways to stave off boredom - all the important things, basically

Also by Sarah Hull

View all
  • What Do Doctors Do?
    Find out all about the extraordinary and varied jobs doctors do — and why they sometimes practise on bananas. Whether diagnosing diseases, performing life-saving surgery, or fighting a pandemic, doctors carry out a huge variety of tasks. Join them in remote research stations, operating theatres, medical laboratories, and hospitals to discover what they do and why it's so important. From...
    By Sarah Hull
    Hardback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Lots of Things to Know About Bugs
    A collection of amazing facts celebrating the extraordinary world of bugs. Celebrate the extraordinary world of bugs with this collection of amazing facts! You'll never guess where a katydid's ears are, why peacock spiders need to be good dancers, or how water skaters walk on water. And did you know that bagworm moth caterpillars build log cabins? With warm, characterful...
    By Sarah Hull
    Hardback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Geography for Beginners
    An introduction to geography, which is all about how the world affects people, and how people affect the world. The world we live in is complex and constantly changing. It's battered by weather, shaken by earthquakes, and mined, farmed, and polluted by humans. Geography for Beginners helps readers understand these processes, make sense of our relationship with the planet, and...
    By Sarah Hull and Lara Bryan and Minna Lacey
    Hardback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • How It Works: Light
    An ILLUMINATING introduction to the science of light. Lift the flaps to discover what light is, where it comes from, and how it works, from rainbows and reflections to lightyears and lasers. Then see light in action for yourself by trying out some simple home experiments. In How It Works: Light by Sarah Hull, you will explore the fascinating world...
    By Sarah Hull
    Board book
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Lots of Things to Know About Your Body
    A collection of strange and quirky facts about your extraordinary body. You'll never guess what doctors call tummy rumbles or how many smells your nose can recognise, and did you know that you could catch a yawn? This delightful information book is full of fun and surprising things to know about the human body, all brought to life by Susanna...
    By Sarah Hull
    Hardback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Stories of Pixies, Elves and Goblins
    Stories of Pixies, Elves and Goblins is a magical collection of fairy creatures from all over the world. Magic and mischief abound in this captivating collection. Meet the cheeky kappa from Japan, a clever duende from the Philippines, and the loyal foletto of Florence. All are fairy creatures who can help or hinder humans as they please.
    By Sarah Hull and Fiona Patchett and Sam Baer and Andy Prentice
    Hardback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • See Inside Germs
    Explore the microscopic world of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes with this fascinating lift-the-flap book. Discover how germs spread, how the immune system works, the amazing vaccines and antibiotics humans have created, and much more. With Usborne Quicklinks to specially selected websites for activities and videos, and up-to-date information about coronavirus. See Inside Germs by Sarah Hull offers a captivating...
    By Sarah Hull
    Board book
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 1 week
  • Step inside Science: Germs
    Step inside Science: Germs introduces young readers to this fascinating and topical subject. People talk a lot about germs, but what actually are they? Open the pages of this friendly book to find out. Discover what bacteria and viruses are, how they can spread, and lots of different ways to stop them.
    By Sarah Hull
    Board book
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Mathematics for Beginners
    Explore the many ways maths can help make sense out of life. This book won't test your mental maths or teach you countless ways to find x. It will show you just how fascinating maths can be. Can maths make people rich? Can formulas predict which sports teams will win more games? Can equations explain the mysteries of the universe?...
    By Sarah Hull and Tom Mumbray
    Hardback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • New Release
    Big ART Activity Book
    A bumper book of arty activities with press-out stencils, models to build, and lots of stickers too. Filled with exciting art projects you can do with just the contents of your pencil case, this playful book is sure to entertain for hours. Draw a self-portrait, make slot-together sculptures, create sticker versions of famous paintings, colour by numbers, and much, much...
    By Sarah Hull and Sam Baer
    Paperback
    $1699
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Wind-up Tractor
    Wind up the tractor and watch it rumble around the chunky pages of this brilliant, interactive book. Join the little red tractor as it works on the farm through the changing seasons. There are four tracks in this book for the wind-up tractor to drive around as it ploughs fields, sows seeds, feeds the animals, helps with the harvest, and...
    By Sarah Hull
    Board book
    $5500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Wind-up Truck
    Pre-order
    Wind-up Truck
    Wind-up Truck lets you wind up the little red truck and watch it zoom around the chunky pages in this brilliant, interactive book. It's the perfect book for truck-obsessed kids—a book and toy in one! The red truck has lots of jobs to do... Can you help? There are four tracks in this book for the wind-up truck to drive...
    By Fiona Watt and Sarah Hull
    Board book
    $4500
    Pre-order
    Out 29 Sep 2026

Also by Tom Mumbray

View all
  • See Inside Future Energy
    See Inside Future Energy is a flap book with a positive vision for a future world powered by sustainable, renewable energy. We need energy, and lots of it, but some of the ways we generate energy put life on Earth in danger. We already have some planet-friendly alternatives, but we're going to need more. This book imagines a future world...
    By Tom Mumbray and Amy Chiu
    Board book
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 100 Things to Know About Planet Earth
    Did you know that rain sometimes falls red? Or that the equivalent of one truckload of plastic is dumped in our oceans every minute? This visually stunning book is filled with 100 fascinating facts, bright, infographic illustrations, information on ways we can help our planet, and links to specially selected websites to find out more. Ideal for fact-loving readers aged...
    By Jerome Martin and Darran Stobbart and Alice James and Tom Mumbray
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • On Sale
    19% off
    100 Things to Know About Saving the Planet
    A colourful information book filled with 100 fascinating and surprising facts. How could plastic-eating bacteria help reduce waste? Can a river be given human rights? Could we generate all the power we need from the sun and the wind? How do woolly sweaters help penguins in peril? Would building a giant sunshade in space stop the world from overheating? Find...
    By Alice James and Rose Hall and Jerome Martin and Lan Cook and Eddie Reynolds and Tom Mumbray and Darran Stobbart
    Hardback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • 100 Things to Know About the Unknown
    A bright information book filled with 100 fascinating and mind-blowing facts. What is dark matter? How fast could a T. rex run? How did Mary Queen of Scots keep her dying wishes secret from her enemies? Scientists and historians have discovered a lot about our past, our future, and how the world works, but SO MUCH remains unknown. This exciting...
    By Alice James and Micaela Tapsell and Jerome Martin and Lan Cook and Alex Frith and Tom Mumbray
    Hardback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Mathematics for Beginners
    Explore the many ways maths can help make sense out of life. This book won't test your mental maths or teach you countless ways to find x. It will show you just how fascinating maths can be. Can maths make people rich? Can formulas predict which sports teams will win more games? Can equations explain the mysteries of the universe?...
    By Sarah Hull and Tom Mumbray
    Hardback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • See Inside Famous Cities
    By Matthew Oldham and Tom Mumbray
    Board book
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Pre-order
    100 Things to Know About Time
    A graphic information book filled with 100 mind-blowing facts about time. Why do your feet age more slowly than your head? Is time travel possible? How did spies use clocks to complete secret missions? What caused the year of confusion? Why don't naked mole rats age? Find the fascinating answers to these questions and many more in this book full...
    By Alice James and Micaela Tapsell and Tom Mumbray
    Hardback
    $2299
    Pre-order
    Out 30 Sep 2026
  • History for Beginners
    Where does history come from, and how do we know what really happened? Find out in this eye-opening book. Every nation tells its own history in its own way. This important book explains what's going on behind the scenes in those tellings - who gets to decide which facts are taught, and which truths are massaged, or even denied. Using...
    By Andy Prentice and Tom Mumbray
    Hardback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Pre-order
    Usborne Picture Atlas of the World
    A richly illustrated atlas that will inspire a lifelong love of our wonderful world. Set off on an adventure around the world with this delightful picture atlas. Maps of all the continents are full of fascinating details for young explorers to talk about. Discover people and places, cultures and wildlife from around the world, all brought to life with beautiful...
    By Tom Mumbray
    Hardback
    $3499
    Pre-order
    Out 15 Sep 2026
  • Never Get Bored on a Train Puzzles & Games
    A boredom-busting collection of original puzzles and games The essential companion to every train journey. This write-in book is easy to dip in and out of on short trips, again and again, or distract and entertain you on long journeys for hours and hours. It's bursting with mind-bending puzzles, fun activities and exciting games you can play on your own...
    By Tom Mumbray and Lan Cook and James Maclaine
    Paperback
    $1699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 100 Things to Know About Sport
    100 Things to Know About Sport
    A colourful information book filled with 100 fascinating and surprising sports facts. How do blind athletes tell between silver and gold medals? How did a Finnish architect accidentally invent skateboarding? Why do footballers wear logos on their kit? Find 100 quirky and surprising facts about sports, from the science of sports to amazing sporting achievements. Perfect for sharing with family...
    By Alice James and Jerome Martin and Tom Mumbray and Micaela Tapsell
    Hardback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Never Get Bored in a Car Puzzles & Games
    This collection of puzzles and games is the antidote to boring car journeys. Keep children occupied and entertained in the car with this write-in activity book's impressive variety of puzzles and games. There are amazing mazes, things to spot, challenges of logic, engaging word puzzles, and inventive games for one or more players. Never Get Bored in a Car Puzzles...
    By Tom Mumbray and Lan Cook
    Paperback
    Sold Out

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    By Qiane Matata-Sipu
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    Pre-order
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    By Mojang AB
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Giant Heart
    Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. “[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...
    By David Hill
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Protector of Beyond 1
    New Release
    Protector of Beyond 1
    Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...
    By Shara Curlett
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    By Graeme Base
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Little Kiwi Builder
    New Release
    The Little Kiwi Builder
    Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...
    By Tim Saunders
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • You Choose Party Time You Choose Party Time
    New Release
    You Choose Party Time
    It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...
    By Pippa Goodhart
    Hardback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    When Nature Calls (Duck #2)
    New in 2026, the latest story from Duck, the quirky new children's series by million-copy bestselling author Matt Stanton. Do you ever wonder what animals think about humans? Do they feel they could do a better job running things? Would they ever try and take over? Duck, Mouse and Dog are alarmed that the adults in Redhill are being brainwashed...
    By Matt Stanton
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    The Case of the Viral Video: Violet and the Velvets 3
    Violet and the Velvets can hardly believe they've come so far in the BandChamps competition with only hard work, a smidge of talent, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. This time, they get to record their new song in a proper recording studio and star in their very own music video! But Violet is letting her perfectionism...
    By Rachael King
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Royalslinger
    K Pop Demon Hunters fans will love this! Graci Kim is back with the second book in her exciting and fantastical Slinger series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life. Praise for Dreamslinger: “A mind-blowingly original fantasy adventure—Graci Kim has done it again!”—Rick Riordan, New York Times #1...
    By Graci Kim
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Children's Books lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all