Customer Reviews

Smithsonian Book of Mars (Smithsonian Library of the Solar System)

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I have followed the U.S. space program for many years, and I've always appreciated reading authoritative accounts of NASA missions. Boyce's Smithsonian Book of Mars is a great read written by a geologist who served as NASA's Mars Exploration Program scientist for 15 years. Rather than an account of one specific landed or orbiter mission, Boyce covers various aspects of Martian geology and climate gleaned from many different missions. If you want a first-class overview of what we've learned about Mars from past and current NASA missions and what is in the works for the future, this is the book to read.

A lot of progress has been made in the study of Mars since I got this book 6 years ago. Either way, it's a cool book.

This work depicts many pictures of Mars in full color together
with the scientific background and history of the planet. Fine
mosaics show the Daedalia planum, Solis planum and Vastitas Borealis from various areas of the planet. Calculations of orbital eccentricity are shown for the scientifically inclined.

Dark areas of exposed rock are depicted. The atmosphere is pictured at 95% carbon dioxide chemical content. There are no oceans visible on the Marsian surface-anywhere. The crust is shaped from volcanic activity over many centuries, The surface temperature is 80 Fah.

This book would be a fine acquisition for any student of science,
mathematics or astronomy. It would be perfect for any school
project.