Product Description

The detection and exploration of extrasolar planets is one of the most exciting and fast moving areas of astronomical research at the present time. With over forty research programmes ongoing, and just as many planned, the search for these new worlds has become the main objective for a new generation of giant ground-based telescopes as well as many future space missions. Experimental methods and observational techniques are pushing existing instruments to their limits. The most exciting possibility offered by this research is the discovery of Earth-like extrasolar planets, with a mass comparable to that of Earth, located at the right distance from its star to host liquid water – in other words, a place where life could evolve. The authors tackle this challenging field of research by first looking at early searches for extrasolar planets, the very first discoveries and the observational techniques involved. They then examine the very wide range of extrasolar planets that have been discovered during the past ten years and look at what we can learn about such planets by studying the bodies in our own solar system. The formation of planetary systems, the way in which such systems may evolve and the final systems of planets that result are then discussed. Finally Drs Casoli and Encrenaz examine the possibilities for life on extrasolar planets, again using our own solar system as a model, and look to the plans for future extrasolar planet searches. A number of Appendices summarise the extrasolar planet discoveries to date.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #263883 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 188 pages

Customer Reviews

Could be better
This is an excelent book about exoplanets because there aren t many books about this theme as such this can stand easily as the best or one of the bests books on this theme but one thing you will notice when you read it of the 188 pages only 90 or less pages actualy talk about exoplanets and is methods of detection but overall is a good book on this fascinating theme

Fascinating
At last....a comprehensive overview of the continual search for extrasolar planets. The added beauty of this book is that you don't need a degree in Astrophysics to read it. Over 200 new planets discovered so far and counting, these are amazing times.