Encyclopedia of the Solar System

By Lucy-Ann McFadden

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 interact--and 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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0120885891
• ISBN13: 9780120885893
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Length: 992 Pages
• Weight: 8.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 2.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding...

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...

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

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!

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!!!!!!!!!

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.