The NASA Atlas of the Solar System

The exploration of our solar system by spacecraft has been one of the greatest scientific achievements of the twentieth century. The mapping of other worlds has resulted from numerous space missions by NASA, extending over many years. The data from these planetary missions have been synthesised by the US Geological Survey to produce detailed maps. Every planet, moon, or small body investigated in NASA missions is discussed and where appropriate mapped. Geological maps, reference maps, shaded relief maps, synthetic aperture radar mosaics and colour photomosaics marvellously present the features of planets and their satellites. This is truly a 'road map' of our solar system. All maps are fully indexed. The gazetteer lists the names of all features officially approved by the International Astronomical Union. The NASA Atlas of the Solar System is the definitive reference atlas for planetary science.

Grade 5 Up. Clear a tray in your atlas case for this magnificent tribute to four decades of space exploration. The authors have gathered hundreds of full-color photos, photomontages, and maps (for the most part, precisely drawn) of every solid celestial body ever visited by NASA spacecraft, presenting them all in "uniform scale and consistent format" with specific but jargon-free descriptive essays. Arranged by planetary systems, each of the 30 "objects" is seen from a variety of angles and distances, digitally enhanced, expertly airbrushed or in false color, from the size of your palm to the size of a pillowcase; 26 are also mapped, in full or double-page overlapping segments, with major regions and physical features neatly labeled. The substantial text enhances all of this with lucid descriptions; historical background; and discussions of nomenclature, the special challenges of planetary cartography, and other topics. Back matter includes a complete table of NASA space-probe missions, 1958-1994, plus a gazetteer in which the names of craters and other features are explained as well as listed. This is not a complete catalog of the solar system. To date there have been no flybys of Pluto, and Saturn's moon Titan turned out to be swathed in opaque clouds. They, as well as the Sun and the gas giant planets, receive relatively brief mentions. This authoritative, eye-popping resource will be invaluable to libraries serving serious young planetologists.?John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This atlas is an excellent collection of systematic maps, photographs, and overviews of planets and major satellites, based on data collected over the course of roughly a quarter century of NASA space missions. It is unique in scope and in its use of uniform formats and consistent scales (practicality permitting). After outlining the challenges involved in mapping celestial bodies and the different kinds of maps used in planetary cartography, the text offers an overview of the solar system and a portrayal of each planet or planetary system. Maps, charts, and spacecraft images convey both the similarities among and the unique aspects of the variety of objects in the solar system. The appendixes include a summary of planetary spacecraft missions, data for the planets/satellites, and conversion tables. Also included are a glossary of terms, a list of additional readings, and a useful gazetteer of named features on all the planets and satellites (including many not featured in the atlas). Presented in a very readable manner by two authors who have worked in and written extensively about the field (e.g., Planetary Mapping, Cambridge Univ., 1990), this is highly recommended for public and academic libraries.?Jayashri Nagaraja, Engineering Lib., Princeton Univ., N.J.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This spectacular atlas of the solar system is both an atlas and a brief history of astronomy. It is the result of various space probes to all major planets except Pluto and its statellite, Charon, and Saturn's moon, Titan. The probes have provided images for a set of maps that are uniform in format, with consistent scales, a first for any atlas of the solar system. Most of these images are digital, taken by electronic cameras that relayed the images back to Earth for viewing within hours of when they were recorded, resulting in maps that contain topographic, geophysical, geochemical, and geologic data.

A brief introduction explains digital image processing, photomosaics, types of maps, and an explanation of each map group in the atlas. Following the introduction is a good description of the solar system, the sun, terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Earth's moon), Jovian planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), small bodies (asteroids, comets, smaller planetary satellites) and Pluto, planetary processes, and geologic time. The rest of the atlas covers each planet and its satellites. Included in this section are the spectacular maps and drawings that make this atlas so unique. For the terrestrial planets, geology and geologic history are outlined, followed by information on the planet's satellites. Maps in these sections include geologic maps, shaded relief maps, and color photomosaics. For the Jovian planets, there is a description of what is known about the surface of each planet and its satellites, with geologic and shaded relief maps. Pluto is the only planet that is unmapped because no spacecraft has visited there. The number of pages devoted to each planet ranges from more than 70 pages for the Jupiter system to less than 10 for the section on Pluto, asteroids, and comets.

This atlas is an excellent addition to the literature of our solar system, providing information that is understandable to students, laypersons, and researchers. It is a large, well-bound book that is up to date as of 1996. The layout is very pleasing, with crisp, clear color and black-and-white maps accompanied by a brief, descriptive text. Also included are a glossary, a summary of planetary spacecraft missions, basic data for planets and satellites, additional readings, sources for planetary images, a gazetteer, and an index. This is a recommended book for all libraries, especially public and academic.