Highlights the twelve-year odyssey of the Voyager spacecraft, and discusses the new findings about Neptune: its atmosphere, satellites, gravitational field, and other surprises, with more than thirty-five photographs from NASA.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Between 1979 and 1989, the Voyager spacecraft visited all of the solar system's outer planets except Pluto in a singular journey of discovery. Veteran science writer Burgess ( Return to the Red Planet , LJ 11/1/90) here describes the final encounter with the planet Neptune and its moons. He provides both background on Voyager 's earlier discoveries and the difficulties of adapting an aging spacecraft to enable it to function beyond its design capabilities as it transmitted its findings over an unprecedented distance. His detailed account of the scientific results will be of interest to specialists; however his dry and sometimes repetitious writing style will likely discourage casual readers. Recommended for larger subject collections.
- Thomas J. Frieling, Bainbridge Coll., Ga.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Thomas J. Frieling, Bainbridge Coll., Ga.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Far encounter with Neptune,
By Peter (Netherlands) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Far Encounter: The Neptune System (Hardcover)
In reviewing this book, I would like to make a comparison with another book of Eric Burgess called "Uranus and Neptune: The Distant Giants". See also my review of that book.This book was written in 1991, after the encounter of Voyager-2 with Neptune. Where the book "Uranus and Neptune: The Distant Giants" focuses mainly on Uranus, this book deals almost entirely with the planet Neptune. Somehow the writing style of this book is less dry, more entertaining. I found the book highly readable. The description of the Voyager space probe is much better. The book is lavishly illustrated with 53(!) drawings/figures and also contains 13 tables. As in the other book, the drawings are sometimes a bit "primitive" but they are effective in clarifying the text. The reproduction quality of the 38 photographs is acceptable (not good, not bad either). Pity they are B/W only! The chapter about Triton is most fascinating and contains 17 (mostly quite nice) photographs of this moon. As Voyager-2 was the one and only space probe to visit Neptune, this book is still sufficiently up to date. Between this book and the book "Uranus and Neptune: The Distant Giants" there is relatively little overlap. Both books have the same size. You could consider buying both books, as a pair. If the subject of Uranus and Neptune interests you, I guess you will like both books. Both books are regularly offered on Amazon for almost nothing....
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb "Happy Medium" between Sweating Every Detail and Childrens' Series quick-fact-or-three-plus-pictures,
By
This review is from: Far Encounter: The Neptune System (Hardcover)
The Praxis book on Neptune has a plethora of details: details on Jupiter and its moons; details on Neptune and its moons; details of Voyager -- hardware, software; details of scientific teams; details of facts in tables; details on every aspect -- temperature, gravity, magnetism, chemistry,... ; details on every bit of the methodology. Now, if you like details or one set of details (say the methodology) or think you will not get the facts you need without the Praxis book, then by all means get the Praxis (publisher) book. But do know that the Praxis book is meant for the "non-expert audience reader" (see my review to find out what that technical term means).For just pictures and a few little facts, childrens' series books are available. Is there anything in between the two? Absolutely! This book. The stroytelling is entertaining and you will learn in a substantive way what it took to get the pictures and data. You will get a lot of details, but not nearly as complete as in the Praxis book. (Also, not much Jupiter here -- like what comprises about 40% of the Praxis book on Neptune.) This book does have better pictures than the Praxis book. The writing is more engaging. If you fall somewhat short of the requirements of the "non-expert-audience" reader (see my other review), then this book is ideal for you. Even if you are a non-expert-audience level or more, you will still enjoy this book. It is very engaging and you'll learn a heck of a lot. Oh, and at the cheap prices I see offered, you have no excuse not to get this book. Be glad it's there.
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