Exploring Planetary Worlds

Morrison, David

Published by Scientific American Library, a division of HPHLP, New York, 1993

About this Item

New condition dark maroon linen boards with silver spine lettering, contained in a new condition color photographic dust jacket. Includes Author Dedication; Preface by David Morrison; Prologue; Epilogue: Cosmic Impacts: A Planetary Perspective; Further Readings; Sources of Illustrations and Index. Illustrated with color photographs, black-and-white photographs, color illustrations, charts and graphs. "Pioneer, Venera, Mariner, Galileo, Giotto, Voyager, Magellan . The names given to space missions evoke images of dramatic, triumphant discovery - and the results have lived up to those images. Direct investigations of the planets and other bodies by these probes have yielded tremendous amounts of information, taking us to unprecedented levels of understanding how the solar system evolved. Exploring Planetary Worlds incorporates the findings from recent space investigations into a fascinating portrayal of the planets and associated planetary satellites, rings, asteroids, and comets. Written by world-renowned planetary scientist David Morrison, the book focuses not only on the processes that shaped each planet's distinctive character, but also on what the unique individuality of the planets tells us about the Earth and the origin and development of our solar system. Morrison's approach is unique. Rather than describe each planet separately, he groups them by primary traits, comparing and distinguishing their sizes, atmospheres, surfaces, magnetic fields, energy sources, chemical compositions, and geologic histories. Throughout, surprising discoveries are revealed - Saturn is not the only planet with rings; the greenhouse effect has rendered the surface of Venus hotter than that of Mercury; the Great Red Spot of Jupiter is actually a massive weather system, and a similar dark spot exists on Neptune; icy and arid Mars once displayed Earth-like rains and rivers; and more. Morrison concludes with one of the most talked-about topics in modern astronomy - the role of collisions between comets, asteroids, and the Earth in shaping the history of life on our planet." - from the inner front jacket flap.

Seller Inventory # 008627

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Exploring Planetary Worlds
• Publisher: Scientific American Library, a division of HPHLP, New York
• Publication Date: 1993
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Printing: 2nd Printing
• Condition: New
• Dust Jacket Condition: New