Planets Beyond: Discovering the Outer Solar System (Dover Books on Astronomy) [Paperback]

Mark Littmann (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Books on Astronomy | Publication Date: August 19, 2004

This book serves as a fascinating progress report on the outer solar system, offering a way to better appreciate the newest findings. It unlocks some of the mysteries surrounding Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto — from the drama of their discoveries to the startling results of Voyager 2’s historic 1989 encounter with Neptune.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Anticipating the conclusion of Voyager 2 's twelve-year solar system "Grand Tour" in August 1989 when it flies by Neptune, Littmann traces the discovery and exploration of the outer planetsparticularly Uranus, Neptune, and Plutoup to the present day. He profiles key amateur and professional astronomers, unveiling scientific and political rivalries as well as the scientific theory behind their work. Short essays by significant scientists and "sidebars" by the author are interesting but they interrupt the text. Littmann points out how little we still know about our planetary neighborhood and how much we have to learn from pictures and readings to be taken by the spacecraft. Most suitable for public and college libraries. Laurie Tynan, Montgomery Cty.
Norristown P.L., Pa.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (August 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486436020
• ISBN-13: 978-0486436029
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,523,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly informal and substantial, July 2, 2000

By 

Edward W. Trieste (Caldwell, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Planets Beyond: Discovering the Outer Solar System (Wiley Science Edition) (Paperback)

This excellent book on the outer solar system is written for laypeople who want more than a short introduction to the subject. The writing style is informal but very informative.

The book was published in 1988, as Voyager 2 neared Neptune. A 1990 paperback edition describes the actual flyby.

There are chapters on Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, their discoveries, the related discovery of the first asteroids, the Voyagers' Grand Tour, the search for a tenth planet, and more.

The author also remembers the human touch. There is ample discussion of planet discoverers William Herschel, John Adams, Urban Le Verrier, and Clyde Tombaugh. We also learn about the memorable people they worked with, and sometimes against (!)

The author likes sidebars, which are quite interesting and keep the main text from bogging down. There you will find:

* A short biography of Caroline Herschel (William's sister), the first woman professional astronomer;
* Clyde Tombaugh on some of his experiences;
* Gary Flando on his discovery of the Grand Tour;
* James Christy on his discovery of Pluto's moon Charon;
* Galileo's unsuspecting observation of Neptune in 1613;
* The planned Galileo and Cassini missions;
* Much more.

One sidebar strongly supports Pluto's planetary status, but it concedes that if Pluto turns out to be a typical member of a hypothetical asteroid belt beyond Neptune, it might make sense to redesignate Pluto. Four years later, the Kuiper Belt was discovered...

Hopefully Littmann will revise the book again to include the Kuiper Belt, the Hubble Telescope, the latest speculation on Planet X, and more.

Highly recommended.

*****
January 28, 2006: I have just acquired the 1990 paperback edition.

A new 30-page chapter thoroughly covers Voyager 2's 1989 Neptune flyby. The rest of the book is almost unchanged, so the reader can compare speculation and reality.

The book suggests that a proposed 2000-2014 Pluto mission be named Tombaugh. New Horizons is now on the way to a 2015 flyby. It doesn't carry Clyde Tombaugh's name, but it does carry some of his ashes.

Much has happened since Littman's 1990 revision, and indeed since my initial 2000 review. Galileo was crashed into Jupiter after completing its mission. Cassini is at Saturn. Two new moons of Pluto were discovered. Pluto is no longer the largest known object beyond Neptune. There is no consensus whether eight, nine, or ten objects deserve the term planet. If Littman revises the book again, he has a lot of new material to discuss.

Still highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, narrowed focus which probes the outer solar system alone, September 4, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planets Beyond: Discovering the Outer Solar System (Dover Books on Astronomy) (Paperback)

Mark Littmann's Planets Beyond republishes the updated, revised 1990 edition to survey the outer planets; from the history of their discovery to modern scientific findings about the planets including Voyageur results. An excellent, narrowed focus which probes the outer solar system alone.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, narrowed focus which probes the outer solar system alone, September 4, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planets Beyond: Discovering the Outer Solar System (Dover Books on Astronomy) (Paperback)

Mark Littmann's Planets Beyond republishes the updated, revised 1990 edition to survey the outer planets; from the history of their discovery to modern scientific findings about the planets including Voyageur results. An excellent, narrowed focus which probes the outer solar system alone.