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Title: The New Solar System by J. Kelly Beatty, Carolyn Collins Petersen, Andrew Chaikin, Andrew L. Chaikin ISBN: 0-521-64587-5 Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr (Trd) Pub. Date: 01 January, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $55.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.4 (10 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A system whose parts must be studied comparatively.
Comment: The explosion of information in the field of planetary science in recent years has made it very difficult for the lay person to keep up with the latest knowledge and theories about the part of the universe in which we live. From the time the space program took off in the late 60's until today, NASA has sent an ever increasing number of missions to study our star and the planets of our Solar System.
The first edition of The Solar System, published in 1981, was a way for those interested in planetary science to catch up with a burgeoning amount of research. Since the Third Edition of The New Solar System was published in 1990, there have been so many developments in planetary science, that the new Fourth Edition is nearly twice as large as its predecessor.
This book is neither a text book nor a coffee table took. It lies somewhere in between. Its 28 chapters cover every aspect of Solar System research, from the Sun to Pluto, and all the planets, satellites, comets, atmospheres, and asteroids in between. The final chapter gives a census of the rapidly growing number of known worlds around other stars. Up-to-date tables of planetary, satellite, and small-body characteristics, a glossary of terms, suggested readings and references, and an index complete the book.
This is not a book by one person or a group of editors. Instead, it is a collection of chapters drawing together the talents of a multitude of planetary experts into one place. The list of luminaries contributing to this edition include David Morrison on Exploring the Solar System, Paul Weissman on Cometary Reservoirs, Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker on The Role of Collisions, and William K. Hartman on Small Worlds: Patterns and Relationships.
The theme of the book is that the Solar System is no longer a place of isolated bodies, but is instead an interrelated whole, indeed, a system, whose parts must be studied comparatively. The aim of the editors has been to encourage their authors to make neither sweeping generalizations nor detailed analyses. Instead, they have striven to make this book enjoyable reading for those with either a casual or professional interest. And, it seems, they have succeeded. The chapters are presented in a logical sequence, from an overview of the Solar System, through a discussion of each of the planets and their major features. But this does not mean that the book can only be read from cover to cover. Each chapter is independent, and a reader looking for information on a specific area of interest, say Mars, can easily study only that chapter without feeling that he is missing something.
There is a wealth of beautiful NASA and other photos supplementing the text, as well as clearly drawn and colorful diagrams by illustrator Sue Lee. In fact, it is possible to glean an incredible amount of information just by reading the picture captions. And the whole thing is supplemented with the superb paintings and drawings of artist Don Davis, who is famous for his work on the Cosmos TV series and the movie Contact.
This edition of The New Solar System is a welcome addition to Sky Publishing Corporation's catalog of astronomy books. As with all Sky Pub products, it is expertly laid out and beautifully printed. To use a phrase from another industry, it has good hand. If you are interested in the current state of knowledge about planetary science, The New Solar System, Fourth Edition, will be a welcome addition to your library.
Ed Flaspoehler, REFLECTOR Editor, Astronomical League
Rating: 4
Summary: Fascinating tour of the solar system
Comment: I greatly enjoy reading about astronomy, especially the science behind it. I purchased and read this book because I wanted to learn more in detail about our own solar system.
This book does indeed give the reader a fascinating tour of our solar system. It explains in detail many facts and theories regarding our solar system, which would seldom be found in a more general astronomy book. Before reading this book I had no idea how fascinating our solar system is!
Specifially, this book starts out by discussing exploring our solar system, and theories about the origin. It also has chapters devoted to the sun, planetary magnetospheres, cometary reservoirs, and the role of collisions. Then it has a chapter devoted to each terrestrial planet (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars), and to the moon. It also discusses characteristics of both the terrestrial planets and giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune). It also discusses planetary rings, moons of the giant planets, and Pluto and Charon, and patterns and relationships between bodies in the solar system. Then it discusses comets, asteroids, and meteorites. Then it brings up the question of life in the solar system. In the final chapter it tells about discoveries of planets in other planetary systems, and discussing techniques for discovering extrasolar planets (planets which orbit other stars besides the sun).
I will caution that sometimes this book gets into very detailed science, and can be difficult to understand. I had to read many parts very carefully in order to get it. Also, it was published back in 1999, so it doesn't take into account the most recent discoveries. But nevertheless, I found the science very fascinating to learn about, and enjoyed being given a tour of the solar system through this book.
I recommend this book for everyone who wants to learn in detail about solar system.
Rating: 3
Summary: Obsolete Edition
Comment: This was a great Fourth edition when published back in 1999. NASA and the science of astronomy have learned much since then. When the new information is incorporated in a Fifth Edition, we will look forward to the new theories and data.
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Title: Universe by Roger A. Freedman, William J., III Kaufmann ISBN: 0716746476 Publisher: W H Freeman & Co. Pub. Date: July, 2001 List Price(USD): $97.85 |
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Title: Meteorites and their Parent Planets by Harry Y. Jr McSween ISBN: 0521587514 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 13 February, 1999 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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Title: Moons and Planets by William K. Hartmann ISBN: 0534546307 Publisher: Brooks Cole Pub. Date: 06 August, 1998 List Price(USD): $110.95 |
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Title: The Compact NASA Atlas of the Solar System by Ronald Greeley, Raymond Batson ISBN: 052180633X Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 29 November, 2001 List Price(USD): $65.00 |
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Title: The Cambridge Photographic Guide to the Planets by Fredric W. Taylor ISBN: 0521781833 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 15 January, 2002 List Price(USD): $50.00 |
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