Satellites of the Outer Planets: Worlds in Their Own Right [Paperback]

David A. Rothery (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 019512555X | ISBN-13: 978-0195125559 | Publication Date: December 30, 1999 | Edition: 2

Extensively revised and updated, this new edition of David A. Rothery's acclaimed geological guide to the outer solar system includes results and close-up color and black and white images from both the 1995-1999 Galileo mission to Jupiter and the Voyager space probe. Rothery, a noted planetary scientist, explains the geological aspects of the major satellites of the outer planets, from Jupiter to Neptune and the Pluto-Charon system. In particular he shows how tectonic and volcanic processes, driven by heat from within, have shaped the rigid outer layers of these worlds. Rothery also discusses the similarities and differences among them and the ways in which they resemble Earth-like planets. This fascinating book is written in an introductory style ideal for first- or second-year college courses. Amateur geologists and astronomers will also find its insights rewarding.

Editorial Reviews

Review

On the first edition: "Rothery does an excellent job of synthesizing the research inspired by the Voyager missions into a coherent description of outer solar system geology." --Jonathan I. Lunine, Sky & Telescope

"...a highly readable, respectably accurate and complete nontechnical summary of planetary satellites for general and scientific audiences that is not otherwise available. Indeed, this is how I might have wished to write a book on icy satellites should I have done so." --Paul M. Schenk, Icarus

"Rothery brings these satellites to life." --David Hughes, New Scientist

"The depth and authority of the treatment of physical geological processes makes this a good introduction to the outer satellites for undergraduate students, while the clarity of the text ensures that things do not become too complicated for less expert readers." --Lionel Wilson, Times Higher Eduation Supplement

". . .the illustrations are useful, plentiful and well-discussed in the text. The author tells us in chapter one that geologists usually do not pay enough attention to the geology of other worlds. If that is due in part to the lack of a suitable reference book, this highly readable text should help these scientists broaden their perspectives."-- Meteorites and Planetary Science

"[A] comprehensive update on all of the moons in the solar system ... an appropriate starting point ... it treats these satellites of other planets as mini-worlds driven by geology every bit as interesting as encountered on the major planets."--Griffith Observer

About the Author

David A. Rothery is a volcanologist and planetary scientist. A Senior Lecturer at the Open University, UK, he is well known for his research on volcano monitoring and has written numerous popular magazine articles as well as made appearances on on radio and TV in the UK to explain volcanoes and planetary science.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (December 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019512555X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195125559
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,248,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geological Processes that Shaped the Outer Planet's Moons, April 2, 2001

By 

John R. Keller (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Satellites of the Outer Planets: Worlds in Their Own Right (Paperback)

Though the number of pages in this book may seem a bit small to provide a good explanation the geological processes that shaped and are still shaping the moons of the outer planets, the author does an excellent job of doing just that. Excluding the Moon and the two small satellites of Mars, this book covers all the planetary satellites (moons) of our solar system. The book does include the latest findings (as of 1999) from the Galileo space probe.

The first quarter of the book describes in quite some detail, at least for the non-geologist, the different theories that have been used to classify these planetary bodies. The remainder of the book, excluding the conclusion section, is divided into three parts: dead worlds, recently active worlds and active worlds. Each of the moons falls into one of these categories and a detailed description of each moon is provided in its corresponding section. Each section also includes high resolution Voyager and Galileo photographs and shade relief maps.

After finishing this book, I came away with the idea the solar system is a very geologically diverse place and there is a lot we don't know. Even the author, in several places was willing to admit to that.

5.0 out of 5 stars the best scientifically accurate but still very accesible review of the outer solar system, February 14, 2009

By 

Kelsi Singer (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Satellites of the Outer Planets: Worlds in Their Own Right (Paperback)

author does a great job of giving the relevant information while still being accessible to someone out side this field. I happen to be in this field and this book was used as a supplement in a course about the icy satellites of the outer solar system. thus it comes well recommended by a professor in the field. I found a lot of relevant information and the significance of all the fact is explained in terms of why we should care and thus is quite an interesting book :)

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for the casual reader!, April 17, 2005

By 

Peter (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Satellites of the Outer Planets: Worlds in Their Own Right (Paperback)

This book is not really for the casual reader. On the contrary; this book is rather technical. The first four chapters deal with geological subjects like planet formation, satellite formation, accretional heating, radiogenic heating, tidal heating, partial melting, icy volcanism etc. etc. etc., and describes the Voyager and Galileo space probes. Then follows a description of (only) the bigger satellites.

In describing the "world in their own right", the writer puts them into the following categories:

DEAD WORLD:
Callisto (11 pages), Rhea, Iapetus, Mimas, Oberon and Umbriël (all 2-3 pages each).

RECENTLY ACTIVE WORLDS:
Ganymede (13˝ pages), Miranda (8˝ pages), Ariël (8˝ pages), Dione (6 pages), Tethys (4˝ pages), Titania 1˝ pages).

ACTIVE WORLDS :
Io (18˝ pages), Europa (17˝ pages), Triton (12 pages) and Enceladus (6 pages).

UNSEEN WORLDS :
Titan en Pluto/Charon (3˝ pages each).

Each moon is visualised with photograps (circa 95 photographs in total, of which nine in color), "shaded relief maps" (a total of 16) and plenty diagrams/drawings etc.

If the emphasis on geology in this book does not appeal to you, I advise you to leave the book alone. If, for instance, you only want really impressive photographs then buy a book like "Beyond: Visions Of The Interplanetary Probes". That book has much nicer photographs.

If on the other hand you really want to dig into the subject of how these "world in their own right" came to be and if you want to understand what you see on photographs of these moons, then this is your book!
The writing style is clear and understandable. You don't have to be a geologist already. This book will offer you many hours of enjoyable reading!