Product Description

In the last 40 years the planets have been revealed in their full glory, unmasked by a fleet of satellites and interplanetary probes. And the closer we look, the more astonishing they are: Mars' deserts were once home to rivers and oceans; on Jupiter wind speeds reach 10,000 kph (6,000 mph) and storms rage for centuries; Saturn is surrounded by a swarm of 34 moons; and diamonds are believed to rain from Neptune's blue skies. Moving out from the Sun, every planet and moon is visited in a journey that takes us a full light year into space, out to the fringes of the solar system where the Sun is no longer the brightest star in the sky. With 200 spectacular images, "The Planets" follows the tracks of robotic rovers over Mars, plunges through Titan's atmosphere on the back of the Hugyens probe, smashes into a comet with Deep Impact, and voyages to the edge of our solar system to discover the frozen planets that lurk beyond the orbit of Pluto.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12324 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

From the Inside Flap
Travelling outwards from the Sun, every planet is visited on a journey that takes us a full light year into space, to the very fringes of the Solar System.
Includes 180 fully up-to-date and strikingly beautiful images.
A captivating introduction to the wonders of our Solar System.

From the Back Cover
Travel a light year into space and visit the outer reaches of our Solar System, where the Sun is no longer the brightest star in the sky.
Illustrated with 180 spectacular images.

About the Author
Giles Sparrow studied Astronomy at University College London, and works as an editor specializing in popular science. He is the author of - amongst other books - The Universe and How To See It, and was a major contributor to Dorling Kindersley's Universe.

Customer Reviews

Stunning photography
Great photography and a nice browser of our nearest neighbours. Possibly could have done with a little more information to go with the pics. Makes you want to know more about our solar system which a book such as the Dorling Kindesley "Universe" provides in abundance. The DK book would be my choice: great value for money with lots more photos and information. In fact Giles Sparrow contributed to this. Good as an engaging short pictorial guide but leaves you wanting more.

Definitely worth getting
This book is fully up to date, now that Pluto isn't a classed as a planet, with beautiful pictures and easy writing. I will be getting of this book out of the cupboard even if it just for looking at these amazing pictures.

A Wonderful Print
This book is astonishing. Although images take up most of page spaces inside, the little captions included and occasional texts provide very precise information and easy to understand. Better on, Images speak louder than words in this book.