Discovering the Solar System

Book excerpt: Discovering the Solar System, Second Edition covers the Sun, the planets, their satellites and the host of smaller bodies that orbit the Sun. This book offers a comprehensive introduction to the subject for science students, and examines the discovery, investigation and modelling of these bodies. Following a thematic approach, chapters cover interiors, surfaces and the atmospheres of major bodies, including the Earth. The book starts with an overview of the Solar System and its origin, and then takes a look at small bodies, such as asteroids, comets and meteorites. Carefully balancing breadth of coverage with depth, Discovering the Solar System, Second Edition: Offers a comprehensive introduction, assuming little prior knowledge Includes full coverage of each planet, as well as the moon, Europa and Titan. The Second Edition includes new material on exoplanetary systems, and a general update throughout. Presents latest results from the Mars Rover and Cassini-Huygens missions Includes a colour plate section Contains ‘stop and think’ questions embedded in the text to aid understanding, along with questions at the end of major sections. Answers are provided at the end of the book. Provides summaries at the end of each chapter, and a glossary at the end of the book Praise for the First Edition: "(...) essential reading for all undergraduate students (...) and for those at a more advanced level approaching the subject for the first time." THE SCIENCE BOOK BOARD BOOK REVIEW “One of the best books on the solar system I have seen. The general accuracy and quality of the content is excellent.” JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION