2. Edition - May 2007
155.- Euro
2007. 470 Pages, Hardcover
ISBN-10: 0-470-01830-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-470-01830-9 - John Wiley & Sons






Sample Chapter

Short description
Providing a basic introduction to astronomy via solar systems, Discovering the Solar System, Second Edition covers suns, their planets, their satellites (moons), and a host of smaller bodies. Assuming little prior knowledge, this comprehensive introduction to the subject for science students examines the discovery, investigation, and modeling of these bodies. Following a thematic approach, the book begins with an overview of the solar system and its origin, and then takes a look at small bodies, such as asteroids, comets, and meteorites. The Second Edition features a broader coverage of each planet, as well as the Moon, Europa, and Titan. It includes new material on exoplanetary systems, as well as the latest results from the Mars Rover and Cassini-Huygens missions.

From the contents
List of Tables.

Preface and Study Guide to the First Edition.

Preface to the Second Edition.

1 The Sun and its Family.

1.1 The Sun.

1.2 The Sun's Family - A Brief Introduction.

1.3 Chemical Elements in the Solar System.

1.4 Orbits of Solar System Bodies.

1.5 Planetary Rotation.

1.6 The View from the Earth.

1.7 Summary of Chapter 1.

2 The Origin of the Solar System.

2.1 The Observational Basis.

2.2 Solar Nebular Theories.

2.3 Formation of the Satellites and Rings of the Giant Planets.

2.4 Successes and Shortcomings of Solar Nebular Theories.

2.5 Summary of Chapter 2.

3 Small Bodies in the Solar System.

3.1 Asteroids.

3.2 Comets and Their Sources.

3.3 Meteorites.

3.4 Summary of Chapter 3.

4 Interiors of Planets and Satellites: The Observational and Theoretical Basis.

4.1 Gravitational Field Data.

4.2 Magnetic Field Data.

4.3 Seismic Wave Data.

4.4 Composition and Properties of Accessible Materials.

4.5 Energy Sources, Energy Losses, and Interior Temperatures.

4.6 Summary of Chapter 4.

5 Interiors of Planets and Satellites: Models of Individual Bodies.

5.1 The Terrestrial Planets.

5.2 Planetary Satellites, Pluto, EKOs.

5.3 The Giant Planets.

5.4 Magnetospheres.

5.5 Summary of Chapter 5.

6 Surfaces of Planets and Satellites: Methods and Processes.

6.1 Some Methods of Investigating Surfaces.

6.2 Processes that Produce the Surfaces of Planetary Bodies.

6.3 Summary of Chapter 6.

7 Surfaces of Planets and Satellites: Weakly Active Surfaces.

7.1 The Moon.

.2 Mercury.

7.3 Mars.

7.4 Icy Surfaces.

7.5 Summary of Chapter 7.

8 Surfaces of Planets and Satellites: Active Surfaces.

8.1 The Earth.

8.2 Venus.

8.3 Io.

8.4 Icy Surfaces: Europa, Titan, Enceladus, Triton.

8.5 Summary of Chapter 8.

9 Atmospheres of Planets and Satellites: General Considerations.

9.1 Methods of Studying Atmospheres.

9.2 General Properties and Processes in Planetary Atmospheres.

9.3 Summary of Chapter 9.

10 Atmospheres of Rocky and Icy-Rocky Bodies.

10.1 The Atmosphere of the Earth.

10.2 The Atmosphere of Mars.

10.3 The Atmosphere of Venus.

10.4 Volatile Inventories for Venus, the Earth, and Mars.

10.5 The Origin of Terrestrial Atmospheres.

10.6 Evolution of Terrestrial Atmospheres, and Climate Change.

10.7 Mercury and the Moon.

10.8 Icy-Rocky Body Atmospheres.

10.9 Summary of Chapter 10.

11 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets.

11.1 The Atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn Today.

11.2 The Atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune Today.

11.3 The Origin of the Giant Planets--A Second Look.

11.4 Summary of Chapter 11.

11.5 The End.

Question Answers and Comments.

Glossary.

Electronic Media.

Further Reading.

Index.

Plate Section.