With a unique glow-in-the dark tactile book cover that recreates the cratered surface of the moon, DISCOVERING PLANETS AND MOONS is the ultimate guide to the most fascinating features of our solar system. Blast off into outer space with DISCOVERINGS PLANETS AND MOONS! From the icy outer reaches of our solar system to the blazing heat of the Sun, this action-packed, full-color book is bursting with gripping facts, fun tidbits, and dynamic artwork that bring the mysteries of our galaxy to life!
Starting from Mars outward this concise handbook provides thorough information on the satellites of the planets in the solar system. Each chapter begins with a section on the discovery and the naming of the planet’s satellites or rings. This is followed by a section presenting the historic sources of those names. The book contains tables with the orbital and physical parameters of all satellites and is illustrated throughout with modern photos of the planets and their moons as well as historical and mythological drawings. The Cyrillic transcriptions of the satellite names are provided in a register. Readers interested in the history of astronomy and its mythological backgrounds will enjoy this beautiful volume.
Designed for freshman/sophomore level planetary geology and solar system courses in geology departments and solar system courses in astronomy departments. Fully revised and updated, Exploring the Planets presents a thorough, systematic examination of planets, moons, asteroids and comets in our solar system. Treating each body in-depth and with great detail, it begins with discussion of small bodies and moves towards larger bodies as it emphasizes the roles of heat and tectonics in planetary evolution. The outer planets are discussed in order outward from the sun to emphasize the role distance from the sun plays in determining composition. Soundly organized around important themes, this text provides a theoretically based examination that facilitates comparative study of bodies and is accessible to non- specialists.
Retired astronomer Thomas Wm. Hamilton has written six books on astronomy. But science always changes. His most recent book, Moons of the Solar System, has just been revised to incorporate the newest research and information on these amazing bodies in the sky. The new title is Moons of the Solar System, Revised Second Edition: Incorporating the Latest Discoveries in Our Solar System as well as Suspected Exomoons. Having once worked on the Apollo Project, the author has long been fascinated in studying moons. From Galileo’s discoveries in 1610, to the latest returns from the Cassini spacecraft in orbit around Saturn, four centuries of discoveries in the solar system are summarized, complete with the names of those responsible for finding them. The 185 known moons of the planets and dwarf planets in the solar system are described in great detail, from how they were discovered, and by whom, to information about their sizes and orbits. The strange and exotic origins of the moons’ names make for astonishing stories. Moons of the Solar System also includes the possible dangers faced by human travel in space.
Can we detect the moons of extrasolar planets? For two decades, astronomers have made enormous progress in the detection and characterisation of exoplanetary systems but the identification of an "exomoon" is notably absent. In this thesis, David Kipping shows how transiting planets may be used to infer the presence of exomoons through deviations in the time and duration of the planetary eclipses. A detailed account of the transit model, potential distortions, and timing techniques is covered before the analytic forms for the timing variations are derived. It is shown that habitable-zone exomoons above 0.2 Earth-masses are detectable with the Kepler space telescope using these new timing techniques.
Discovering Pluto is an authoritative account of the exploration of Pluto and its moons, from the first inklings of tentative knowledge through the exciting discoveries made during the flyby of the NASA New Horizons research spacecraft in July 2015. Co-author Dale P. Cruikshank was a co-investigator on the New Horizons mission, while co-author William Sheehan is a noted historian of the Solar System. Telling the tale of Pluto’s discovery, the authors recount the grand story of our unfolding knowledge of the outer Solar System, from William Herschel’s serendipitous discovery of Uranus in 1781, to the mathematical prediction of Neptune’s existence, to Percival Lowell’s studies of the wayward motions of those giant planets leading to his prediction of another world farther out. Lowell’s efforts led to Clyde Tombaugh’s heroic search and discovery of Pluto—then a mere speck in the telescope—at Lowell Observatory in 1930. Pluto was finally recognized as the premier body in the Kuiper Belt, the so-called third zone of our Solar System. The first zone contains the terrestrial planets (Mercury through Mars) and the asteroid belt; the second, the gas-giant planets Jupiter through Neptune. The third zone, holding Pluto and the rest of the Kuiper Belt, is the largest and most populous region of the solar system. Now well beyond Pluto, New Horizons will continue to wend its lonely way through the galaxy, but it is still transmitting data, even today. Its ultimate legacy may be to inspire future generations to uncover more secrets of Pluto, the Solar System, and the Universe.
Kaboom! About 4.6 billion years ago, a swirling gas cloud comprised of carbon dust, hydrogen, helium, water and ice collapsed under its own gravity, creating an enormous explosion the -- a big bang, so to speak. As it contracted, the solar system we know today began to take shape. In The Solar System, readers journey back billions of years, to witness the birth of the planets, stars, and more. This insightful book features the following. * The celestial bodies that make up our fascinating solar system are explored with a team of scientists and experts . * This book offers provocative research of the nine major planets, their largest moons, famous comets and asteroids, and illuminates the amazing details of their creation, development and discovery. * Unique spreads contain detailed descriptions, important data tables, intriguing graphics and lavish artworks of the planets, moons and other key celestial bodies. * Interesting speculation is discussed about the possibility one day -- perhaps in the year 2515 -- of people inhabiting the moon. * Fascinating information and more than 500 spectacular color illustrations and photographs add to this insightful book.
From the icy outer reaches of our solar system to the blazing heat of the Sun, this book is bursting with gripping facts, fun tidbits, and dynamic artwork that bring the mysteries of our galaxy to life!
