Worlds Apart: A Textbook in Planetary Sciences

Designed to be accessible to those with a strong general (not professional) interest in planetary science, this volume explores the various aspects of the solar system planet by planet. Along the way, it illustrates by example how science is “done,” and constantly goes beyond the issue of merely “What do we know,” to ask such questions as “What motivates our questions?" and "How do we go about finding the answers?" Begins each chapter with a purely descriptive section about a planet; then includes two sections on topics that are related to the planet in question (e.g., atmospheric chemistry and Venus; the generation of magnetic fields and Jupiter). Later chapters consider more difficult topic such as planetary satellites, comets and the solar wind, and the origin of the solar system. Confines the use of integral calculus and most derivations to separate boxes, and reviews basic concepts of physics and chemistry, in boxes, as necessary. For undergraduate students and general readers interested in planetary science.