Solar System Evolution (Paperback)

Stuart Ross Taylor

ISBN 10: 0521675669 / ISBN 13: 9780521675666

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005

About this Item

Paperback. This completely rewritten new edition begins with an historical perspective of the place of the solar system in the universe. Evidence from meteorites is used to describe how the planets were formed and the giant planets are considered in the light of the discovery of new extrasolar giants. Other chapters discuss satellites, comets, centaurs, asteroids and why Pluto is not a planet. Explanations on why Earth and Venus turned out so differently, and how Mars and Mercury are the survivors of many similar bodies, are also discussed. The formation of the Moon in a giant impact leads to an assessment of the importance of collisions and impacts in the solar system. It is concluded that our solar system is the end product of many accidental and chance events. This leads to the philosophical discussion of whether planets like our Earth are likely to be found elsewhere in the universe. This completely rewritten new edition begins with an historical perspective of the place of the solar system in the universe. Chapters discuss satellites, comets, centaurs, asteroids, with explanations on why Earth and Venus turned out so differently, and how Mars and Mercury are the survivors of many similar bodies. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780521675666

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Solar System Evolution (Paperback)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521675669
• ISBN 13: 9780521675666
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

This completely rewritten new edition begins with a historical perspective of the place of the solar system in the universe. Evidence from meteorites is used to describe how the planets were formed and the giant planets are considered in the light of the discovery of new extrasolar giants. Other chapters discuss satellites, comets, centaurs, asteroids and why Pluto is not a planet. Explanations on why Earth and Venus turned out so differently, and how Mars and Mercury are the survivors of many similar bodies, are also discussed.

About the Author

Ross Taylor took degrees in chemistry and geology. He is Emeritus Professor and Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.