Encyclopedia of the Solar System (Hardcover)

~ Paul Weissman (Editor), Lucy-Ann McFadden (Editor), Torrence Johnson (Editor) "The origins of modern astronomy lie with the study of our solar system..." (more)
Key Phrases: tesserae terrain, outer planet icy satellites, nonresonant orbits, New York, United States, Hubble Space Telescope (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

An arresting jacket painting by Brad Greenwood shows the solar system as it would be seen from the sun. The 56 contributors to this one-volume encyclopedia--all specialists in solar system science--describe the system from the galaxy inward to the sun and then outward through the planets. They discuss also comets, asteroids, missions of exploration to the planets, and the search for planets outside the solar system. The audience the editors have aimed at includes teachers, students, advanced amateurs, astronomers who do not specialize in the solar system, and professionals in other scientific and technical fields. Such a person could usefully read the volume straight through or plunge at once into any of the topics. Indeed, a reader who knows little about the solar system could do the same; she would end up knowing a lot.

Review

"I cannot imagine a trio of scientists better qualified to produce a volume about the solar system than Weissman, McFadden, and Johnson. This is more than a book-it is a fantastic voyage to neighbor worlds that combines the accuracy of science with the beauty and wonder that is our solar system." -- Dr. David H. Levy, Astronomer, Author of 20 books, Discoverer of 21 comets

"Weissman, McFadden, and Johnson have done a terrific job in assembling a roster of world-class experts to write about the key topics in planetary science. This should be a valuable guide both in the classroom and on the reference shelf." -- Dr. William K. Hartmann, Planetary Science Institute, Tucson; Recipient of the American Astronomical Society's Carl Sagan Medal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 992 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press (September 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0122268059
• ISBN-13: 978-0122268052
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,041,672 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #28 in

  Books > Reference > Encyclopedias > Astronomy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent layman's reference to solar system astronomy, March 2, 2000

By	Shawn Moses (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Don't buy this book thinking it will be an entertaining reference for your twelve-year-old nephew who enjoys astronomy. This hefty tome is more akin to a college-level textbook than an encyclopedia. If you want to get a detailed, but not overly technical, overview of modern solar system science, this is the book for you.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A legacy!, January 4, 2000

By A Customer

Following a thematic progression, ranging outward from the Sun to other planetary systems, the Encyclopedia of the Solar System details the dynamics of motions and rotations, solar wind, planetary, geologic, and atmospheric conditions, as well as other processes in the formation of planets, satellites and the smaller bodies of our planetary environment. The Encyclopedia covers the latest observations employing planetary radar, radio, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths.

Features convenient glossaries of technical terms, over 700 illustrations, numerous color plates, extensive cross-referencing throughout, further readings, useful appendices, and a comprehensive 4,500 entry index. Readers and web denizens like me will particularly appreciate the convenience of using the accompanying website (academicpress.com/solar) to link to related on-line resources.

Keep watching the sky!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, but..., September 12, 2002

By A Customer

This is the best work I've read on the solar system, period. The text is wonderful but I dearly wish the author had included the American measuring system along with the metric one. I'm one of those old fogies who has to cogitate in the extreme in order to convert kilometers into miles. Oh, well.

Seriously, this book is a "must-have" for astronomy aficionados and for those who merely wish to brush up on their knowledge of our solar neighborhood.

I also wish the book had a sewn binding. Otherwise, it is a really great read and a "keeper".