Satellites of the Outer Planets: Worlds in Their Own Right - Softcover

Rothery, David A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198542909 ISBN 13: 9780198542902

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1992

Synopsis

The wide media coverage of the Voyager spaceprobe's 1989 encounter with the moons of Neptune confirmed once again the keen public interest in planetary exploration. This book summarizes the findings of the Voyager mission and other recent discoveries, concentrating on the moons of the outer planets and their distinctive geological features. It is the only available book to describe these dramatic findings in full detail. The author shows how each of the satellites belongs to a recognizable family of worlds. He draws attention to their similarities and differences, and discusses in particular how tectonic and volcanic processes have shaped their outer layers. The text is splendidly illustrated with close-up images from the Voyager spaceprobes along with explanatory drawings. The book is written at an introductory level and is intended for the widest possible readership. For professional and amateur astronomers, it clearly explains the excitement these bodies have generated among planetary geologists. For geologists, the book shows for the first time the occurrence of geological processes that are unlike any on Earth. General readers too will find the book perfectly accessible and readable. A glossary of terms provides helpful definitions.

About this title

About the Author

David A. Rothery, Lecturer in Earth Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes.

Review

`Satellites of the Outer Planets is written at an introductory level and great care has been taken to explain geological concepts to the budding astronomers and astronomical concepts to the budding geoloigsts.'

`. . . excellent book...' New Scientist

`... a coherent, highly readable book that is both timely and, for the general scientific literature, relatively accurate regarding recent concepts and debates of satellite geology.

`This makes it a valuable introduction to the outer solar system for undergraduates and geologists alike, as well as being comprehensible to well educated laymen.'

`A good selection of references is presented for those interested in pursuing ideas further Lunar and Planetary Institute Bulletin

'the book provides a timely summary of current knowledge about the major satellites of the outer planets ... Anyone interested in geology will benefit from seeing standard techniques applied to a wide range of bodies under different, but invariably cold conditions. The book should also appeal
to any astronomer who is looking for a concise, post-Voyager summary of the processes that have shaped the major satellites of the outer planets.'
Carl Murray, The Observatory (Vol. 112, no. 1110), October 1992

`Rothery does an excellent job of synthesizing the research inspired by the Voyager missions into a coherent description of outer solar system geology.' Sky and Telescope

'This is a hard well-written introduction to the geology, as far as it is known, of the major satellites of the five outer planets, aimed mainly at the general reader, but with a considerable amount of usable data.'
Aslib Book Guide, Vol. 57, No. 7, July 1992

'David Rothery has written a fine book. The text is lucid, highly readable and always intriguing and is backed up by clear diagrams and photographs. Anyone with an interest in the planetary system in which we live will find this volume to be an invaluable guide to the Satellites of the Outer
Planets.'
P.M. Bagnall, Impact!, December 1992

'The book will serve to give the nonspecialist an excellent introduction to the satellites of the solar system and could be read with value by undergraduates.'
H. Albers, Vassar College, Choice, January 1993

'"Satellites of the Outer Planets" does indeed contain a collection of striking images, but more than that it offers a lucid and fascinating account of the interpretation of those images in geological terms. The success of the book lies in the patient and lucid way in which the author
establishes the theoretical principles before launching into descriptions of the satellites themselves. I heartily recommend this fascinating book to anyone with an interest in the world underneath them and the strange worlds beyond, about which we are now so much better informed.'
Steve Barnes, Australian Journal of Astronomy, 10/92

'interesting book, very well illustrated and presented ... For geologists and geophysicists involved only in terrestrial studies, it provides a good introduction to planetary problems.'
Pascal Allemand, and J.C. Varekamp, University of South Carolina, Terra Nova 4:5 1992

'not simply another grand picture tour through the Solar System ... Many outstanding controversies regarding icy satellites and Io are covered in fair detail ... Rothery excels at synthesizing and balancing complex arguments gleaned from a vast literature, without getting into analytical and
experimental details. He presents particularly well-rounded discussions ... should be especially well received by a select group of lay readers and lower level undergraduate geology students. Certain advanced students and professionals in earth and planetary sciences also may benefit by the book's
broad overview. David Rothery has helped bridge the chasm between planetary science and terrestrial geology.'
Jeffrey S. Kargel, GSA Today, May 1994

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0198542909
• ISBN 13: 9780198542902
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 222