Neptune: The Planet, Rings, and Satellites - Softcover

Miner, Ellis D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1852332166 ISBN 13: 9781852332167

Publisher: Springer, 2001

Synopsis

This is the only book on Neptune written by individuals directly involved with the Voyager Mission and its scientific findings. It shows clearly the planning, excitement and major advances in our knowledge of Neptune and its system associated with the highly successful Voyager Mission. In doing so, it recreates some of the excitement and wonder felt by those on the science and engineering teams as they witnessed the spectacular data being returned by Voyager. Richly illustrated with unique images and other data returned by the Voyager Mission, this book disperses some of the myths created by other authors. No doubt, the text amounts to a definitive description of Neptune for decades to come.

About this title

Review

From the reviews:

"Neptune is written by two members of the JPL team that was responsible for the mission and is intended to give a comprehensive popular record of the Voyager 2 spacecraft and its pioneering mission... The difficulties of managing a complex programme over several years, especially given the long cruises between hectic encounters are apparent... This is an enjoyable read for those interested in the outer solar system and its exploration."

-- ASTRONOMY NOW

"The book follows the general format and content of Uranus: The Planet, Rings and Satellites, written as a part of the Wiley-Praxis Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics. It is written in a language and style more accessible and understandable to the ‘non-expert’. ... the book will be of interest primarily to students and those with a general interest in the solar system ... ." (Milan Burša, Earth, Moon and Planets, Vol. 123, 2002)

"Neptune is written by two members of the JPL team that was responsible for the mission and is intended to give a comprehensive popular record of the Voyager 2 spacecraft and its pioneering mission. ... Although technical, it is written for the non-expert reader and is well illustrated with line drawings, black and white images, and a few colour plates in the centre of the book. This is an enjoyable read for those interested in the outer solar system and its exploration." (Glen Thomas, Astronomy Now, February, 2003)

"A superb book, is the best description of Neptune, The Planet, rings and satellites. ... For anyone looking for a book to help them with a project or presentation on this distant blue gem then this book is certainly the one. ... With its authors Miner / Wessen both in on the projects from the beginning it is a first rate account of what it took to get the Voyagers off the drawing boards and out into deep space." (Tony C. O’Connell, Astronomy & Space, December, 2002)

"Miner and Wessen have written a clear and readable account of the Voyager 2 mission to Neptune. ... this text is squarely directed at the interested ‘non-expert’. ... the authors provide a readable description of how NASA’s Deep Space Network was upgraded to meet the challenge. ... the authors have done a good job in collecting material from many sources ... . I think that the authors have succeeded well in their stated intention of presenting the Voyager science and technology to a non-technical audience." (Nick James, Journal of the British Astronomical Association, Vol. 112 (5), 2002)

"Both Ellis Miner and Randii Wessen were mission scientists on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Voyager team. This has given their book a special ‘spacey’ flavour. ... Fascinating details of engineering and operational procedures abound. In Neptune, the authors have produced a well-balanced cocktail that combines an up-to-date review of our scientific knowledge ... with a first-hand insight into the workings and instrumentation of the Voyager 2 spacecraft. ... an excellent introduction to the eponymous planet. ... the book is well referenced and profusely illustrated." (David W. Hughes, The Observatory, Vol. 122 (1170), 2002)

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1852332166
• ISBN 13: 9781852332167
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 322