Pluto and Charon (Space Science Series) [Hardcover]

S. Alan Stern (Author), David J. Tholen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Space Science Series | Publication Date: December 1, 1997

For five decades after its discovery in 1930, the planet Pluto remained an enigma. However, several events during the last two decades have helped to lift the veil of mystery surrounding the ninth planet. The discovery of its satellite, Charon, in 1978 permitted occultation observations that allowed scientists to determine the size of both bodies. Astronomers also detected the presence of an atmosphere, and the Hubble Space Telescope provided views in unprecedented detail. In addition to these two fortuitous events, advances in telescopic instrumentation and computational methods led to exciting observational and theoretical discoveries. This new Space Sciences Series volume focuses on the scientific issues associated with Pluto and Charon. Fifty collaborating authors here review the latest research on the Pluto-Charon binary, from bulk properties, surfaces and interiors to atmospheric structure, composition, and dynamics. They also provide historical perspectives on Pluto-Charon research and discuss the population of the trans-Neptunian region and the origin of the Pluto-Charon binary. Also included are prefatory remarks by Pluto's and Charon's discoverers, Clyde Tombaugh and James Christy. This volume offers the most comprehensive available compendium of research work for understanding these far off members of our solar system, just at a time following dramatic developments in our knowledge but before that knowledge can be advanced by spacecraft missions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this new edition, excellent writer Mitton and productive NASA scientist Stern have significantly updated their book…highly recommended." (CHOICE, May 2006)

"…contains a wealth of scientific findings about Pluto, Charon, and many other Kuiper Belt objects." (Sky & Telescope, April 2006)

Rave reviews for Pluto and Charon: Ice Worlds on the Ragged Edge of the Solar System:

"The story of the quest to understand Pluto and the resulting transformation of our concept of the diminutive planet from that of solar-system misfit to king of the Kuiper Belt is told in this book by Alan Stern and Jacqueline Mitton. Stern, a Plutophile to the core, is one of the most energetic, talented, and savvy planetary astronomers in the business today. Mitton, trained as an astronomer, is an experienced writer and editor of scientific books for nonscientists. Together they have created an immensely informative book . . . Written in an engaging and informal style, Pluto and Charon takes the reader step by step from the discovery of the ninth planet in 1930 to the current understanding of Pluto and its moon, Charon." (Sky & Telescope)

"More than a book summarizing what we know about [the] planet, [Pluto and Charon is] about how far and how fast astronomical technology has come since 1965 . . . Stern and Mitton use the narrative of Pluto research to explain in comfortable, everyday language how such work is done . . . One of the nice touches in the book is that Stern and Mitton tell us something about each astronomer." (Astronomy)

"Pluto and Charon presents the exploration of the ninth planet-written as a vivid historical account-for anyone with an interest in science and astronomy . . . the authors describe in simple language the methods researchers use to explore the universe and the way ever-improving instrumentation helps their knowledge advance." (Physics Today) --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

Now one of the world's leading experts on Pluto shares the most current information on the last exciting frontier for astronomers in one lively, illustration-packed volume. Based on the latest information gleaned from the new technology of groundbased astronomical instrumentation and spacecraft explorations after the 1981 Voyager expedition, this exciting book looks at how Pluto was discovered and explored, and how the pursuit of knowledge about this distant planet has revolutionized the entire field. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 728 pages
• Publisher: University of Arizona Press; 1ST edition (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816518408
• ISBN-13: 978-0816518401
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,502,293 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to the ninth planet, September 5, 2001

By 

Ritesh Laud (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pluto and Charon: Ice Worlds on the Ragged Edge of the Solar System (Paperback)

This book is a well-written and enjoyable summary of what we know about Pluto and its relatively huge moon Charon. However, the fact of the matter is we don't know much because we have yet to send a spacecraft to this fascinating double planet! Stern and Mitton do a great job presenting the timeline of our discoveries about Pluto as well as the latest theories on the compositions and origin of these bodies.

I was especially impressed with the discussion of Pluto's atmosphere changing as a result of the planet's greatly elliptical orbit around the Sun. In addition, the authors give a great detailed breakdown of the discoveries gleaned from the mutual occultations in the late 80s. Also, this book was written several years ago but we have since indeed found many more Kuiper Belt objects that lend great credibility to the theory of Pluto simply being one of the largest of that family.

Too much time was spent on describing the birth and continuing struggles of the Pluto Express project. This discussion would have been more appropriate if the spacecraft had even launched, let alone successfully completed its mission. But the fact is that NASA's funding issues have kept the project grounded for now. Hopefully it'll fly in the next couple years. If it doesn't, much of the mission may be compromised because Pluto is getting farther from the Sun each day and as a result its atmospheric activity is dying.

Overall a great effort and worth your time. Don't expect incredible revelations and photographs though, because we still have yet to visit the place!

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brand New Perspective On Our Solar System, November 27, 1999

By 

Stan (New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pluto and Charon: Ice Worlds on the Ragged Edge of the Solar System (Paperback)

A well written historic perspective on our outer-most-planet that by books' end will change your view of our solar system.

A thoroughly enjoyable easy-to-read book. More hard science/discovery books should be written this way.

It's not just the facts that are amazing but the proven-wrong theories we use to have on Pluto. Too bad we're still waiting for our first encounter with this mysterious planet. If history proves right, the Voyager probes were just another step in our discovering the 'real' solar system.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly, truly fun read, September 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Pluto and Charon: Ice Worlds on the Ragged Edge of the Solar System (Hardcover)

What I really liked about this book was the very irreverent tone which did not take away one bit from the scientific rigor of the presentation. The authors have a sense of humor and a genuine passion for their subject and it shows. I also liked the fact that in order to present the history of the Pluto/Charon system the book had to explain the latest hot-off-the-presses revolution in our understanding of the evolution of the Solar System. This was the first time I have been exposed to the idea of massive planets cleaning out all the early system planetisimals and the implications for the formation of the Kuiper Belt and other solar systems. It's rare to find a serious science book which is hard to put down, but this is it. Great exposition, great story, great book.