Beyond Pluto: Exploring the Outer Limits of the Solar System

Davies, John

ISBN 10: 0521800196 / ISBN 13: 9780521800198

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England, 2001

About this Item

xii, 233 pp. First printing. The lower fore-corners of the covers are slightly bumped. The binding is tight and square, and the text is clean. Seller Inventory # 021418

Bibliographic Details

Title: Beyond Pluto: Exploring the Outer Limits of ...

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England

Publication Date: 2001

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Dust Jacket Condition: Fine

Edition: First Edition

About this title

Synopsis:

Exactly what is beyond Pluto? Why, in the last ten years, has the Solar System more than doubled in size? For the first time, in almost two centuries, an entirely new population of planetary objects has been found that may well explain these two questions. This newly discovered realm of minor planets, now known as the "Kuiper Belt," has reconceptualized our understanding of how the Solar System was formed and has finally given ontological explanations for the enigmatic outer planet Pluto. Beyond Pluto is the fascinating story of how a group of theoretical physicists decided that there must be a population of unknown bodies beyond Pluto and how a small band of astronomers set out to find them. Acclaimed scientist John K. Davies recounts how they predicted the existence of these planetary bodies, how they were eventually discovered, and how Pluto was named. In addition, Davies provides biographies of the astronomers who discovered these new worlds and information on the telescopes they used. John K. Davies is a support scientist for the UK Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) atop the dormant volcano Mauna Kea in Hawaii. He holds PhDs in chemistry and astronomy, discovered six comets while teaching at Leicester University in the UK, and was a member of the ISO-CAM team at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has contributed to magazines such as Astronomy, New Scientist, Sky & Telescope, and Space. In 2000, a small main asteroid belt was named Johndavies in recognition of his numerous contributions to astronomy.

Book Description:

The solar system has more than doubled in size since 1992. For the first time in almost two centuries an entirely new population of planetary objects has been found. This 'Kuiper Belt' of minor planets beyond Neptune has revolutionised our understanding of how the solar system formed and finally explained the origin of the enigmatic outer planet Pluto. This is the story of how theoretical physicists decided that there must be a population of unknown bodies beyond Pluto and how a small band of astronomers set out to find them.