Planet Quest: The Epic Discovery of Alien Solar Systems [Hardcover]

Ken Croswell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998

A new era in the exploration of the universe has begun. In 1995, after decades of intense scientific investigation. planet hunters discovered the first alien solar system around a star like our own Sun. Since then, armed with new insight and technology, astronomers have been discovering planets at an exhilarating pace. Every day seems to bring us closer to finding an Earthlike planet, perhaps harbouring life, and the resolution to the grandest human mystery of all: are we alone? Now astronomer and internationally acclaimed author Ken Croswell has written the definitive guide to the culmination of the scientific revolution that began with Copernicus. Weaving together the personal travails of the scientists who made the key discoveries, Croswell marshals extensive research and acute interviews to bring to life this epic of scientific adventure-in language so clear that anyone can understand. He shows around other stars to sighting more than half a dozen outposts of the final frontier. For the first time, scientists have demonstrated that the universe at large does in fact possess the four basic astronomical ingredients for life. Moreover, Croswell describes how space-based observatories could provide direct images of our new neighbours. Perhaps someone, or something, will be waving back.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Astronomers confirmed the existence of planets outside our own solar system relatively recently--in 1992. Their long-anticipated discovery was hardly a surprise, but was quite a while in coming. Nobody has found an Earth-like world that is able to sustain life as we know it, but it seems only a matter of time before that happens. Meanwhile, Planet Quest explains the science behind the search for new planets. Readers who need to brush up on the basics of their own solar system will find a helpful introductory chapter, as well as an interesting discussion of why there is probably no "Planet X" orbiting the Sun beyond Pluto. The bulk of the book, of course, is devoted to extrasolar worlds and the planet hunters who seek them. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

After summarizing the history of the discovery of the outer planets in our solar system, science writer Croswell (The Alchemy of the Heavens, LJ 4/15/95) moves on to the exciting?and apparently authentic?recent discoveries of planets revolving around stars other than our Sun. He tells of a variety of premature "discoveries" that could not be confirmed and of more soundly based findings in the 1990s. He explains well the scientific basis of the search for remote planets and is candid about the rivalries and disagreements among the ambitious researchers in this field. Despite a speculative last chapter on the prospects for interstellar travel, Croswell wisely concentrates in general on the science (not the science fiction) of planetary searching. Highly recommended for both public and academic libraries.?Jack W. Weigel, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr; 1ST edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198501986
• ISBN-13: 978-0198501985
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,803,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, detailed, informative and a good read., October 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: PLANET QUEST: The Epic Discovery of Alien Solar Systems (Hardcover)

Ken Croswell's book, "Planet Quest" is a must for anyone interested in the search for planets outside of the solar system. The book reads well, telling a fascinating story from the beginnings of speculation about the existence of alien worlds right up to the present when information is coming to us all the time about strange new worlds around distant stars. Anybody with an interest in the possibilities of life elsewhere must read this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Planet Quest: Great for beginners!, June 13, 2001

By 

charles rowe (Oak Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planet Quest: The Epic Discovery of Alien Solar Systems (Paperback)

Planet Quest is a great book for all you armchair astronomers who want to learn more! I am not an astronomer or even an amateur astronomer, in fact, Planet Quest is only the Third book I've read on the subject but my interest is growing. Planet Quest is very easy to understand because all of the scientific jargon is followed by words and explanations that beginners, like you and me, can follow. Read this book, you won't be disappointed!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, January 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: PLANET QUEST: The Epic Discovery of Alien Solar Systems (Hardcover)

Before reading "Planet Quest", I was completely ignorant on this subject; I just assumed that someone found the planets sometime ago and that'd be good enough for me. That is no longer the case after going through the pages of "Planet Quest". With a clear, simple style of writing, the author offered readers like me wonderful insights into the thrilling process of hunting for a new planet. This is a non-fiction work, but I felt captivated as if reading Jules Verne novels! When following the stories of planet hunters with their glories and their defeats, I could conclude that life is much better than fiction. Good analogies were offered throughout to explain complicated details, especially to illustrate those infinite statistics on the immense universe. I do appreciate this eye-opening experience, which definitely enriched my knowledge in many ways.