Product Description

The New Solar System, now in its fourth edition, is firmly established as the leading text on planetary science and solar system studies. A distinguished team of researchers, many of the Principal Investigators on NASA missions, has carried out a complete revision of the text, illustrations and tables. The book has been completely redesigned to display hundreds of new images to best advantage and to make the reference data and tables easier to use. New to this edition are descriptions of collisions in the solar system, full scientific results from Galileo’s mission to Jupiter and its moons, and the Mars Pathfinder mission. Sections on comets, the search for other worlds, and the search for life take into account the latest discoveries.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #480615 in Books
• Published on: 1999-01-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 430 pages

Review
‘This new edition of what bids to be a planetary bible … it is an essential item for those interested in the current state of Solar System science … this 4th Edition is splendidly illustrated and is a must for any space scientist or astronomer who has an interest in the study of the Solar Syatem and the many different types of objects that it contains … highly recommended.’ Spaceflight

‘Fascinating … a splendid and authoritative volume.’ Arthur C. Clarke, Author and Lecturer

‘Rich with data, information, interpretation, illustration, and inspiration … with special emphasis on the new discoveries from recent missions.’ Louis A. Friedman, Executive Director, The Planetary Society

‘An incredibly rich experience … filled with terrific accounts and illustrations of new discoveries.’ Wesley T. Huntress, Former Associate Administrator for Space Science, NASA

‘A fresh and invigorating look at our solar system.’ David H. Levy, Author and Comet Hunter

‘ … a planetary bible … and it is an essential item for those interested in the current state of Solar System science. A veritable treasure house of scientific data and interpretation … this 4th edition is speldidly illustrated [and] a must for any space scientist or astronomer who has an interest in the study of the Solar System and the many different types of objects that it contains. Highly recommended.’ Spaceflight

‘Oustanding in every respect - includes data which will not be found elsewhere in so convenient a form. A must for anyone who is even slightly interested in the members of the Sun’s family.’ Patrick Moore, Host BBC-TV’s The Sky at Night

‘This is an informative, well illustrated book and not extravagantly priced.’ Alan Hamilton, Open University Geological Society Journal

‘It is a fine reference book, and the fourth edition has been further improved by the addition of much reference data at the end. The New Solar System is richly illustrated … Recommended.’ Richard McKim, Journal of the British Astronomical Association

Customer Reviews

A comprehensive overview for the scientically literate.
I get fed up of over-simplified "popularisations", which assume the reader doesn't understand data or scientific method. In contrast, this book is pitched at the scientifically literate non-specialist. It gives a true flavour of the data planetary scientists work with, how they make deductions, and the level of security of those judgements. It covers the whole solar system, from meteorites to the sun. Thus the reader gets an excellent overview of the true state of planetary science. And it is packed full of great pictures. The style is dense, and it took me several weeks to read. Never was that a chore.

Essential for the enthusiast and professional alike
This book is a collection of up-to-date reviews of all the main aspects of solar-system science. It is beautifully produced, full of striking illustrations and a real pleasure to read. The content is pitched at a level rather above that of a Scientific American article and will be most appreciated by educated enthusiasts, students and professionals. It is found in most university libraries. If you have a serious interest in modern solar-system science, then this is essential reading.

Well written and well illustrated.
This is one book in a long list of preparatory reading for a second level Open University course. The content of this text is advanced, but very clearly explained.