• Jupiter. This multicolored gobstopper of a planet is so big, you could stuff more than 1,000 Earths inside it. But that doesn’t mean you can land here. This giant is full of so much gas, you’d eventually be crushed by the high pressure if you entered its atmosphere.
How to Deal with a Long Space Voyage
Congrats! You’re back from Mars and ready for your next mission—this time you’re going way out, beyond the solar system in search of new planets! This is the journey of a lifetime. Here’s how to sit back, relax, and enjoy your extra-long flight.
1 Fuel up...
But don’t bother with bread—the crumbs will float all over your ship. Make a PB&J sandwich with tortillas instead. And rather than sprinkling on salt and pepper, inject your food with saltwater and pepper oil. Don’t forget the hot sauce—a favorite of NASA astronauts—because your sense of taste gets weaker in space.
FAST FACT • To conserve water, astronauts don’t rinse and spit after brushing their teeth. That means you’ll have to rinse and swallow with special astronaut toothpaste.
2 Work out.
Being weightless in space means your muscles don’t have to work hard to hold you up against gravity. You can lose muscle and bone strength on your long voyage. To avoid pain when you step back on Earth, exercise on a space treadmill. Large elastic bands will hold you down as you run so you won’t fly off.
BE AWARE • Cuts don’t heal quickly in space, so be extra careful when handling sharp objects.
3 Dress for success.
You can wear comfy pants and socks in your ship, but venturing outside requires top-to-bottom protection. Your space suit will keep you alive during your space walk, which can last more than six hours. Your suit will give you oxygen, protect you from space radiation, and even give you water to drink. Some space suits even include a diaper known as a maximum absorbency garment—you’ll need it if you’re out for six hours!
4 Make a space playlist.
Before you take off, make sure to leave a playlist with Mission Control. The crew in Houston, Texas, will pipe your favorite tunes right into your ship to wake you up. Let’s just hope your co-pilot’s snoring doesn’t drown out the music.
FAST FACT • How do astronauts keep things from floating away in space? Velcro! Put Velcro on surfaces and even wear Velcro strips on your pants. Then place Velcro strips on objects, like books, clipboards, and meal trays, so you can pin them down securely—and use them!
Your Space Suit:
Don’ t Leave the Ship Without It
Don’t mess with outer space—it’s hostile with a capital H. Here’s what would happen if you didn’t suit up before stepping out.
• In space, there’s no air, and that means no air pressure to keep air contained in your lungs. So, it would all come rushing out in a big whoosh. That’s called “taking your breath away.” Big time.
• The lack of air pressure would also cause crazy things to happen to your blood and body fluids. They’d boil then freeze! Your boiling fluids would cause your internal organs and your skin to expand.
• Micrometeoroids(small particles of rock and dust) could slam into your body at high speeds. You could be hit by orbiting space trash, too.
How to Avoid a Black Hole
A black hole is born when a giant star collapses onto itself, creating a massive amount of gravity. A black hole’s gravity is so strong that nothing—including light—can escape its pull. If light can’t escape, neither can you. Here’s how to avoid getting sucked in on your next intergalactic tour.
1 X-rays mark the spot.
Black holes are invisible because they’re, well, black holes in space. But you can detect them by looking for their effects. If a black hole is close enough to a star, some of the star’s gas can get pulled into it. As this gas plunges into the black hole, it gets very hot and gives off lots of energy in the form of X-ray light. You can use a special X-ray telescope to detect this radiation, like NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.
2 Speed up!
If a black hole is all by itself out there in space with nothing nearby to fall into it, your X-ray vision won’t help you. You won’t notice the black hole until you get close enough to feel a tug from its gravity. If this happens, act fast! Really fast. The closer you get to a black hole, the faster you’ll need to travel to escape its pull. How fast should you go? The fastest that anything can go in the universe. That’s the speed of light, which is 186,000 miles (300,000 km) per second. At that speed, you’d travel around Earth eight times in a second. So, good luck with that.
3 Avoid the event horizon.
Let’s say you didn’t notice that your ship was heading toward a mysteriously dark spot in space. Unfortunately for you, if you get too close to a black hole, there will be nothing you can do to escape (not even traveling at the speed of light!). The “point of no return” is called the event horizon. If you cross it…
4 Prepare to be spaghettified.
Now it’s time for the ultimate gravity experience: spaghettification. This term was coined by the physicist Stephen Hawking to explain the way gravity works when something falls into a black hole. Imagine your body being pulled in opposite directions while it’s being squeezed very tightly. Okay, maybe you don’t want to imagine that. A split second after you’re spaghettified, you disappear into the hole, where all of your atoms get mushed into a single point (i.e., no more you). And you definitely don’t want to imagine that!
CHAPTER 2
Monsters, Mummies, and More
How to Survive a Vampire Attack
Most modern-day vampires don’t dwell in castles, don black capes, or announce in a Transylvanian accent, “I vant to suck your blood!” Today’s vamp is a cool and cunning creature—suave, sophisticated, and expert at blending in with you and your friends. Don’t be so bewitched (um, bevamped) that you forget what they’re really after! Here’s how to deal if a bloodsucker comes your way…
1 Look for (un)dead giveaways.
Vampires don’t have a “vamp stamp,” and they almost never wear a T-shirt that says, “I’m itching to sink my teeth into your neck.” The good news is that there are clues you can count on. If you know what to look for, you’ll be able to tell the true vampires from the wannabes and goth kids in no time.
How to I.D. a Vamp
2 Secure your secret weapons.
Try these tricks to keep vamps at bay…
• Garlic power. Due to its strong smell and healing properties, garlic has been used across cultures for centuries as a defense against illness and evil spirits, including vampires. Always keep a couple of cloves in your pocket or backpack for emergencies. When you see a vamp, chew a clove and breathe in his direction.
• Sunlight. Vamps loathe the sun! If a vamp is hot on your heels, walk on the sunny side of the street. If you have a serious vampire problem, convince your family to make a permanent move to Yuma, Arizona, or Perth, Australia, two cities with over 300 sun-drenched days a year.
The Real Deal
There is such a thing as vampire bats. They feed on blood—the blood of rodents and small birds, that is! Native to Central and South America, these bats have heat receptors on their noses that help detect the spots where blood flows closest to their prey’s skin.
What to Do if a Vampire Has a Crush on You
If this happens...
That really pale, cute new girl in homeroom keeps staring at you . . . hungrily.
Your best from out-of-town appears outside your window after dinner—and your the second floor!
A goth kid, who is new in town, suggests the two of you take a field trip to a dark cave populated with bats.
Do this...
Offer her a slice of garlic-studded pizza. If she gets even paler, run.
Hook up your sprinkler to some holy water and aim high.
Suggest a trip to the beach instead. If he shows up completely covered in long pants and a hat the size of Texas, be wary. Also, if he wears socks and sandals, st
ay away! not a vampire—he just needs a fashion revamp!)
From the Vault: Dracula
The world’s most famous vampire is Count Dracula, who first appeared in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula. Dracula was one of the first vampires in literature to be portrayed as intelligent and well-mannered. Until then, vampires were thought of as beastly. Some people believe that Dracula was actually based on a real-life Romanian prince named Vlad the Impaler. While Vlad wasn’t really a vampire, having a nickname like that gives you a sense of the kind of guy he was!
• Be cross. Vampires cower at the sight of a cross, so sport a necklace with a cross pendant. If jewelry’s not your thing, make a cross with rolled-up sheets of paper, drumsticks, lollipops…or just “cross” your fingers and hope for the best.
• Soak‘ em. Consider visiting your local cathedral for a vial of holy water, which vampires can’t stand. If a vampire comes looking for a “drink,” douse him with a spray bottle, or fill up a Super Soaker and let it rip. Then make a run for it!
3 Fight for your life.
Vampires have superhuman strength and speed, so don’t waste time trying out your kung-fu moves. Stake ’em instead. The best way to stop a vampire is the classic wooden-stake-through-the-heart method. You can whittle a spear out of a stick, a fence post, a chopstick, or even a croquet peg. Be creative!
How to Win a Zombie Showdown
Gaping wounds, decaying flesh, rotten stench…what’s not to love about zombies? A zombie is a corpse that has been brought back to life through sorcery, a medical experiment, or a virus. These mindless maniacs survive on a steady diet of brains. So, before a pack of zombies can chow down on your cranium, use it to outwit the hungry horde.
1 Be dead-on with your zombie detection.
Your classmates might appear like zombies during class—think blank stares, groaning, bad posture—but there are a few telltale signs that they’re not just spacing out. They might have caught the zombie bug!
• When they wear purple, it brings out the dark circles under their eyes.
• They show up to science class only when animals are being dissected.
• They’ve developed a taste for the “tattered clothing” fad.
• They have really, really bad B.O.
• When they watch TV with you, instead of reaching for the popcorn, they reach for your pet frog.
2 Distract one, distract them all.
Zombies are like sheep—they move in groups and tend to mindlessly follow the leader. If you can create a diversion to get one off your scent, like casually mentioning there’s a sale on cerebellums at the mall, then there’s a good chance you can escape from the pack.
3 Don’t get cornered.
Zombies are creatures of habit and hang out where they did when they were alive: the library, the classroom, the food court at the mall…. If you come across one, don’t panic. Zombies are notoriously slow. Just avoid being the kid who is backed into a dead end or alleyway—like in every horror film ever made—and you should be fine.
BE AWARE • A zombie’s condition is contagious, so if one sinks its teeth into you, you’ll be the newest member of the walking-dead club.
4 Get a head.
If you find yourself surrounded by zombies and escaping isn’t an option, you’ll have no choice but to defend yourself. Like the mystery meat at your school cafeteria, almost nothing can destroy them…except for a well-placed blow to the head. So, keep your head when aiming.
How to Act Like a Zombie
Zombies are not the brightest bunch, so if you think you can’t beat them, try joining them. It may be the only way to keep your wits.
How to Make the Most of a Bigfoot Sighting
Rumored to be nearly 7 feet (3 meters) tall and 500 pounds (230 kg) of muscle and matted hair, Bigfoot has managed to stay hidden in the forests of North America for decades. Though many have claimed to have glimpsed him, the giant hairball just doesn’t take a good picture. With these tips, you just might spot the elusive beast—and get the evidence you need to prove it.
1 Go northwest.
There have been over 500 sightings of Bigfoot in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, alone. (Plan your next trip accordingly.)
Your Bigfoot Checklist
• Camera. Carry one that doesn’t have a delay in shooting time. He’s big, but he moves fast...
• Binoculars. A quality pair will help you distinguish shapes and shadows in the trees.
• Flashlight or night-vision goggles. A must-have because Biggie’s a fan of the nightlife.
• Plaster of paris. For when you come across his footprint and want to make a keepsake.
What (or Who) Is Bigfoot?
There are as many theories about Bigfoot (also known as Sasquatch) as there are hairs on his body. Some zoologists say he may be an unknown type of ape, while some Bigfoot believers think he may be from another planet. One of the most interesting theories is that Bigfoot is the “missing link,” representing the stage of evolution between ape and man.
2 Use common senses.
Obviously, you’re looking out for the big-footed fella, but you also need to listen for him. Some Bigfoot observers claim that he makes sounds ranging from loud grunts to mournful cries. Keep your nostrils open, too. Reports note that Bigfoot has a strong, unpleasant odor. Imagine a cross between wet hair and spoiled salmon.
3 Be a track star.
Survival experts have perfected the art of “tracking,” using footprints, droppings, and other signs to locate animals in the wilderness. Bigfoot (not surprisingly) leaves gargantuan footprints, and they could be your ticket to a sighting. It’s good to go tracking right after it rains or snows when footprints are most visible.
4 Be quiet...until it’s time to scream!
Bigfoot clearly doesn’t like the limelight, so you’ll need to be very quiet during your search. However, if you run into another big furry creature—like a mountain lion—you’ll need to make as much noise as possible to prevent it from attacking.
The Bigfoot of the Lake
The Loch Ness Monster is an aquatic-looking dinosaur with a long neck, small head, bulky body, and long flippers. It is thought to dwell in the Scottish Highlands’s Loch Ness (“loch” is Scottish for lake). If you think you’ve spotted Nessie, be aware of these illusions!
How to Manage a Mummy Encounter
You’ve been digging through the sands of the Sahara for months. Finally, you’ve found what you’ve been looking for: the entrance to an ancient tomb. Torch in hand, you creep inside. What might you find? And how will you avoid curses, booby traps, and...mummies? Read on.
1 Don’t be a tomb raider.
An underground tomb is full of more than just a body. Mummies were often buried with all their belongings, including food, favorite pets, and even treasure! But consider this before taking any souvenirs: According to Egyptian legend, if you take anything from a tomb, you’ll be cursed.
2 Let sleeping mummies lie.
The ancient Egyptians believed that bodies needed to be properly preserved with chemicals—and wrapped in bandages to keep them airtight—to ensure a safe passage into the afterlife. Since mummies are so serious about their eternal beauty sleep, they might be a tad crabby if disturbed. Oh, and some legends say a curse will befall anyone who bothers a mummy. Curses!
3 Booby traps? Ha.
Movies about mummies will make you think that tombs are full of booby traps. But really, no tomb has ever been found to have anything but a big slab of rock at its entrance. So, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about.
How to Survive “Common” Tomb Traps
Although archaeologists have yet to find any traps in tombs, movies are full of ’em. Here’s how you’d escape, Indiana Jones–style, if you were caught in a booby-trap scene.
• The Hour Glass.
This trap causes sand to fill up a room. Cover your mouth with a bandanna or your shirt and put on shades to protect your eyes. Then clog the
holes that the sand is pouring through with rocks or large gems. Act fast! You don’t want to become the mummy’s permanent roommate.
• The Crusher.
This trap makes two walls close in on you. Look for a long statue, turn it on its side, and use it to brace the walls. Even if the statue doesn’t hold, you’ll at least have some time to get out and avoid getting squished into human hieroglyphs.
• Flying Darts.
In this trap, you step on a loose stone and—whoosh—darts come flying at you. You’ll be a goner if you set off this one, so step carefully to avoid becoming a pincushion.
4 Start a wrap battle.
Let’s say the utterly ridiculous, totally unthinkable happens and a mummy awakens while you tiptoe through the tomb. When it comes charging after you, grab one of its loose bandages and start unraveling it, spinning the mummy like a top. When it gets too dizzy to chase you, wink and say, “It’s about time you wound down.”
The Writing on the Wall
Ancient Egyptian writing uses thousands of characters called hieroglyphs. Each hieroglyph represents a sound, a word, an object, or an idea. Hieroglyphs can be written left to right, right to left, or in columns.
How to Survive a Werewolf Run-In
You’re camping one night and decide to go for a stroll, when the misty clouds part to reveal a stunning full moon. Suddenly, you hear a chilling howl. A howl that can only mean one thing. Werewolf! There wolf. Harmless person by day, vicious wolflike beast by night, a werewolf is larger and stronger than your run-of-the-mill wolf (or human). Here’s how to avoid the hairy, lunar beast.
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