Encyclopedia of the Solar System, Second Edition

Book Description

Long before Galileo published his discoveries about Jupiter, lunar craters, and the Milky Way in the Starry Messenger in 1610, people were fascinated with the planets and stars around them. That interest continues today, and scientists are making new discoveries at an astounding rate. Ancient lake beds on Mars, robotic spacecraft missions, and new definitions of planets now dominate the news. How can you take it all in? Start with the new Encyclopedia of the Solar System, Second Edition.

This self-contained reference follows the trail blazed by the bestselling first edition. It provides a framework for understanding the origin and evolution of the solar system, historical discoveries, and details about planetary bodies and how they interactand has jumped light years ahead in terms of new information and visual impact. Offering more than 50% new material, the Encyclopedia includes the latest explorations and observations, hundreds of new color digital images and illustrations, and more than 1,000 pages. It stands alone as the definitive work in this field, and will serve as a modern messenger of scientific discovery and provide a look into the future of our solar system.

· Forty-seven chapters from 75+ eminent authors review fundamental topics as well as new models, theories, and discussions
· Each entry is detailed and scientifically rigorous, yet accessible to undergraduate students and amateur astronomers
· More than 700 full-color digital images and diagrams from current space missions and observatories amplify the chapters
· Thematic chapters provide up-to-date coverage, including a discussion on the new International Astronomical Union (IAU) vote on the definition of a planet
· Information is easily accessible with numerous cross-references and a full glossary and index

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding..........2007-03-15

This review refers to the 2nd Edition. The book is comprehensive and current (as of November 2006). Pluto, for example, is classified as a dwarf planet and its two recently discovered satellites are discussed.

The only criticism is that the metric system is utilized for ALL measurements. It would be very helpful to have U.S. measurements in parentheses next to their metric counterparts, since many potential buyers of this book may not be scientists or college/grad. school science majors.

Overall, the book is outstanding in every other respect and fully worthy of five stars. James.

Superb, but..........2002-09-13

This is the best work I've read on the solar system, period. The text is wonderful but I dearly wish the author had included the American measuring system along with the metric one. I'm one of those old fogies who has to cogitate in the extreme in order to convert kilometers into miles. Oh, well.

Seriously, this book is a "must-have" for astronomy aficionados and for those who merely wish to brush up on their knowledge of our solar neighborhood.

I also wish the book had a sewn binding. Otherwise, it is a really great read and a "keeper".

An excellent layman's reference to solar system astronomy.......2000-03-03

Don't buy this book thinking it will be an entertaining reference for your twelve-year-old nephew who enjoys astronomy. This hefty tome is more akin to a college-level textbook than an encyclopedia. If you want to get a detailed, but not overly technical, overview of modern solar system science, this is the book for you.

A legacy!.......2000-01-05

Following a thematic progression, ranging outward from the Sun to other planetary systems, the Encyclopedia of the Solar System details the dynamics of motions and rotations, solar wind, planetary, geologic, and atmospheric conditions, as well as other processes in the formation of planets, satellites and the smaller bodies of our planetary environment. The Encyclopedia covers the latest observations employing planetary radar, radio, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths.

Features convenient glossaries of technical terms, over 700 illustrations, numerous color plates, extensive cross-referencing throughout, further readings, useful appendices, and a comprehensive 4,500 entry index. Readers and web denizens like me will particularly appreciate the convenience of using the accompanying website (academicpress.com/solar) to link to related on-line resources.

Keep watching the sky!

This is the best!!!!!!!!!.......1999-05-07

If you are interested in the solar system in which you live in, this book is a must. It is very informative and complex, yet simple enough for the high school student. The absolute best book about our solar system.

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What you should know about the nearest star

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Sun
Kenneth R. Lang
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Solar Observing Techniques (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series)
Nearest Star: The Surprising Science of Our Sun
The Sun
Fundamentals of Solar Astronomy (World Scientific Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics) (World Scientific Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics)
Journey from the Center of the Sun (Princeton Science Library)

ASIN: 0521780934

Amazon.com

Everything you ever wanted to know about the sun, the powerhouse of our galaxy, sustaining life on earth, driving the weather, providing warmth and light--and, directly or indirectly, almost all the energy that plants and animals use.

Less a classic encyclopedia than a topic-by-topic textbook introducing readers to all things solar, astronomer Lang's compendium offers the very latest scientific views on a range of matters, from fundamental constants to the composition of sunlight, from the role of sunspots in terrestrial weather and human history to the methods scientists use to forecast such phenomena today, from the origins of the universe to days to come--when, 7 billion years from now, the "aging Sun will swell up to become a giant star," one that will spread to occupy the space the earth now occupies, and far beyond. Abundant photographs, charts, and line drawings, all very well made, accompany the text, which also includes a recent bibliography and a glossary of current terms.

Highly useful for students of astronomy and space science, this attractive volume will require little updating for years to come, and it serves as the best single general reference work on the subject. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

The Sun is our powerhouse, sustaining life on Earth, energizing our planet, and fueling the engine of life. Its warmth drives our weather, lifting water from the seas, and producing winds that drive clouds over the continents. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Sun is the fundamental, up-to-date reference source of information about this life-enhancing star, covering everything from basic facts to detailed concepts. Organized thematically, chapters feature: -the properties of the Sun as a star -the Sun's place in the Galaxy and the Universe -the science of the Sun's interior -the sun's visible disk -what makes the sun shine. Kenneth Lang also explains solar flares and the solar wind, and their impact on the Earth. Many full-color figures and photographs throughout the book make all the information highly accessible. Kenneth R. Lang is a professor of astronomy in the Physics and Astronomy Department at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. He is the author of several astrophysics books including Wanderers in Space (Cambridge, 1991), Sun, Earth and Sky (Copernicus, 1997), and The Sun from Space (Springer Verlag, 2000).

Customer Reviews:

What you should know about the nearest star.......2003-04-26

This is a very nice book that will be of interest both to amateur astronomers and people with good physics background. The author separated descriptive text from text with mathematical content and as a result one can choose to read in a depth appropriate to their background. The book is also very well illustrated with informative captions below each picture. It is clear that the author is enthusiastic about the subject. However, what I did not like was that almost 100 from the 250 pages are devoted to general astronomical concepts and a glossary. This material is good but I would prefer to read more details about the sun. If the introduction explained solar physics (such as magnetism, spectra) in much more detail then subsequent chapters would be understood even better. I recommend the book to all people with a serious interest in the physics of our star.

Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics

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Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Manufacturer: Academic Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0122266900

The Chronological Encyclopedia of Discoveries in Space:

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The Chronological Encyclopedia of Discoveries in Space:
Robert Zimmerman
Manufacturer: Oryx Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The First Men on the Moon: The Story of Apollo 11 (Springer Praxis Books / Space Exploration)

ASIN: 1573561967

Book Description

Since the historic launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union in 1957, the world has been enthralled first by the race to the Moon and later by the exploration of space. Lost in the international competition, however, are the hundreds of other missions (commercial, military, and scientific explorations) that have taken place over the past four decades. This encyclopedia gives readers--for the first time--a complete picture of every space mission of every country that has taken place from Sputnik through 1999. In addition to providing a chronology of launches worldwide (over 1,000 in all), this encyclopedia includes hard-to-find information on the scientific objectives and results of these missions.

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A serious reference work, not for browsers
Mysteries of science and the workings of national politics

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space
Fernand Verger , Isabelle Sourbès-Verger , and Raymond Ghirardi
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Cambridge Photographic Guide to the Planets
The Cambridge Guide to the Solar System
Universe

ASIN: 0521773008

Book Description

Since the lift-off of Sputnik in 1957, over 8,000 satellites and spacecraft have been launched from over thirty countries, costing hundreds of billions of dollars. While only about 350 people have made the incredible journey beyond our atmosphere, we all benefit in countless ways from the missions. An authoriative and accessible source that collects information on man's quest to explore the Universe, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space, provides a global perspective of our occupation and use of space, whether for scientific, industrial, commercial, technical, or military purposes. The authors set the stage by describing the space environment, orbits and ground tracks, launchers and launch sites. Subsequently, they discuss the main space applications (telecommunications, navigation and Earth observation, military), plus science missions, planetary exploration, and space stations. Extensively illustrated with more than 300 illustrations, maps, and graphs, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space will be an invaluable resource for everyone interested in our use of space, and the perfect reference for those working in the space arena. Fernand Verger is Professor Emeritus of Geography at L'Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris. Isabelle Sourbés-Verger is a researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research and the Foundation for Strategic Research, Paris. Raymond Ghirardi is a cartographic engineer at the CNRS and has worked on many geopolitical projects. Xavier Pasco is a researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research and Associate Professor at the Universite de Marne la Vallee. Pasco is also a Fellow at the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Customer Reviews:

A serious reference work, not for browsers.......2004-04-30

This book raises space encyclopedias to a new level. Many previous books of this type have been collections of images interspersed with some lightweight text. Not this one. The French authors of this work go into considerable technical detail about the many topics they cover, including the celestial mechanics of artificial satellites, their orbits and ground tracks, and the trajectories of interplanetary probes. The authors focus primarily on scientific and applications missions, with relatively little attention to manned space programs. The world's launch vehicles and launch sites are covered thoroughly, as are earth observation satellites. The excellent charts and diagrams are detailed and comprehensive; the photographic images are well chosen and well reproduced.

Unlike many space-related books published in the United States, this encyclopedia does not focus on American space achievements. Its balanced perspective on world space programs may be a useful corrective.

Mysteries of science and the workings of national politics.......2003-11-14

The collaborative work of Fernand Verger (Professor Emeritus of Geography at L'Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris), Isabelle Sourbes-Verger (National Center for Scientific Research and the Foundation for Strategic Research, Paris), and Raymond Ghirardi (Cartographic Engineer, CNRS), and Xavier Pasco (Associate Professor, Universite de Marne la Vallee, Pasco), The Cambridge Encyclopedia Of Space is a globally-themed, wonderfully illustrated resource compendium of man's perspective and occupation of space. Ranging from the vast variety of satellites (including telecommunication, navigation, and military ones), to the workings of the space shuttle, to budgets and space activity around the world, The Cambridge Encyclopedia Of Space superbly covers both the mysteries of science and the workings of national politics to present a combined wealth of information for ideal for nonspecialist general readers of all backgrounds. Simply put, no school or community library Astronomy & Space Science collection can be considered complete without the inclusion of The Cambridge Encyclopedia Of Space.

The Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia

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The Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia
Stephen P. Maran
Manufacturer: Van Nostrand Reinhold
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

This encyclopedia is a landmark publication that summarises astronomers' knowledge of the universe and its contents in 1000 pages. There are 403 alphabetically arranged articles on topics from Accretion to Zodiacal Light. The articles are written by more than 100 professional astronomers, selected on a world wide basis by an advisory board of 24 distinguished scientists. The articles are carefully cross-referenced, and they are supported by 520 photographs and diagrams. An in-depth index makes it easy to retrieve information on any subject. The articles range over every kind of astronomical object and astrophysical concept. The rich density of information on current research topics can be appreciated by considering supernovae: there are five articles on supernovae, four on supernova remnants, and five on cosmic rays. All modern topics are treated with this degree of thoroughness. Accepted facts are always clearly separated from proposed explanations. The coverage includes quasars, the background radiation, every planet and the major moons in the solar system, solar system debris, stars and stellar evolution, and galaxies.

The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers

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The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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CCD Astrophotography: High-Quality Imaging from the Suburbs (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series)
Russian Planetary Exploration: History, Development, Legacy and Prospects (Springer Praxis Books / Space Exploration)
Animals in Space: From Research Rockets to the Space Shuttle (Springer Praxis Books / Space Exploration)

ASIN: 0387310223

Book Description

The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers is a unique and valuable resource for historians and astronomers alike. The two volumes include approximately 1550 biographical sketches on astronomers from antiquity to modern times. It is the collective work of about 400 authors edited by an editorial board of 9 historians and astronomers, and provides additional details on the nature of an entry and some summary statistics on the content of entries.

This new resource for historians, astronomers, and the interested public provides biographical information even on the next generation of astronomers, going beyond existing references, and enhances the information on earlier periods by including many more astronomers and by utilizing contemporary historical scholarship.

Individual entries vary from 100 to 1500 words, including the likes of the superluminaries such as Newton and Einstein, as well as lesser-known astronomers like Galileo's acolyte, Mario Guiducci.

An Appendix of Countries enables researchers to locate astronomers by country, and a comprehensive subject index helps researchers to identify the authors of important scientific topics and treatises.

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The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space
Michael Rycroft
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics (4 Volume Set)

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Master Piece

Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics (4 Volume Set)

Manufacturer: Grove's Dictionaries
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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Customer Reviews:

Master Piece.......2001-05-14

It is the greattest collection on astronomical sciences I have ever seen. These 4 volumes contains 3670 pages, thousands of articles, written by lots of contributors. You can find handly information about astronomy and astrophysics in this encyclopedia. It is a really master piece of astronomical work, covers 30 subject areas. If it could contain information on recent developments in cosmology would be excellent.

Encyclopedia of Planetary Sciences (Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series)

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Planetary Science Review

Encyclopedia of Planetary Sciences (Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0412069512

Book Description

Containing more than 450 entries by some 200 eminent contributors from all over the world, the Encyclopedia of Planetary Sciences is the first book to present this information in an authoritative yet approachable way. This encyclopedia deals with the atmospheres, surfaces and interiors of the planets and moons, and with the interplanetary environment of plasma fields, as well as with asteroids and meteorites. Processes such as accretion, differentiation, thermal evolution and impact cratering form another category of entries. Remote sensing techniques employed in investigation and exploration, such as magnetometry, photometry, and spectroscopy are described in separate articles. In addition the Encyclopedia chronicles the history of planetary science, including biographies of pioneering scientists, and detailed descriptions of all major lunar and planetary missions and programs. The Encyclopedia of Planetary Sciences is superbly illustrated throughout with over 450 line drawings, 180 black and white photographs, and 63 colour illustrations. It will be a key reference source for planetary scientists, astronomers, and workers in related disciplines such as geophysics, geology and the atmospheric sciences. Included in this book is a PC and Mac compatible CD-ROM containing over 200 relevant planetary and related images available from NASA. This CD-ROM has been specially compiled for the Encyclopedia by The United States National Space Science Data Center.

Customer Reviews:

Planetary Science Review.......2001-08-03

This book presents a good discussion of the major elements of planetary science. The sections on the planets themselves (such as 'Mars: Geology') are introductory, as they have limited space. However, as the articles move to more narrow subjects (such as 'Impact Cratering'), they increase in depth. The articles are written by experts in their fields, and the language is kept a non-technical as is possible for a general work. This is a useful reference for those interested in planetary science, from the high school level and up. It is the reference that I reach for when confronted with a subject that I know little about. It should take the interested individual to an intermediate level of understanding of most topics in this field.

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