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

by Joseph M. Boyce (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
From 1985 to 2000 Joseph Boyce provided scientific leadership to NASA as its Mars exploration program scientist. He has lived much of the history of the planet's exploration, and his findings have helped to determine what we know about Mars today. The Smithsonian Book of Mars is truly a firsthand account.

Boyce draws his clear explanations of Mars's atmosphere, climate, surface, and interior from the monumental findings of the different NASA missions. Beginning with Mariner 4 in 1965 and continuing through the 2001 Mars Odyssey probe, each spacecraft sent to Mars yielded fascinating new discoveries (how did those "canals" come to be?) and occasionally overturned earlier findings--especially when trying to answer NASA's ultimate question, "Are we alone?" The search for life on Mars seemed to be over after the 1976 Viking mission, but in 1997 scientists announced that they had found possible traces of ancient life in the ALH84001 Martian Meteorite, sparking furious debates in scientific journals. That controversy is precisely why Boyce finds Mars so endlessly fascinating--you just never know.

Boyce closes the book with a look at the bright future for additional Mars exploration and outlines the requirements for a manned mission. He spent many hours scouring the NASA archives and has included only the best pictures.

About the Author
Joseph Boyce served as NASA s program scientist on fourteen flight programs. In recognition of his scientific contributions to space exploration, the asteroid 1978 VQ5 was named Boyce in his honor. He is a researcher at the University of Hawaii. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian (December 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588340740
• ISBN-13: 978-1588340740
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,681,637 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smithsonian Book of Mars by Boyce, July 18, 2005

By	Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.