Distant Worlds - Milestones in Planetary Exploration

Peter Bond

An astonishing saga of exploration . . . .

In this much-needed overview of “where we stand today,” Peter Bond describes the remarkable achievements of the astronomers, space scientists, and engineers who have made it possible to unravel the mysteries of the distant worlds that make up our Solar System. A clearly written and compelling account of the Space Age, the book includes:

• Dramatic descriptions of the daring, resourcefulness, and ferocious competitive zeal of renowned as well as almost-forgotten planetary pioneers.
• Clear explanations of how natural philosophers and observers first took the measure of the heavens, paving the way for the discoveries of modern astronomy and the Space Age.
• More than 250 illustrations, including photographs, maps, artists’ impressions, and explanatory diagrams- many of them in full color.
• Comprehensive, up-to-date appendices that detail the physical and orbital properties of the major members of our Solar System, as well as a comprehensive list of the Solar System missions launched over the last fifty years.

Organized into twelve chapters that provide in-depth accounts of the individual planets, our Moon, and the asteroids and comets, Bond’s text shows how- despite its occasional setbacks- the great enterprise of planetary exploration can justifiably be regarded as one of the great triumphs of human civilization.

Table of Contents

• Preface
  1. Discovering Distant Worlds
  2. Mercury: The Iron Planet
  3. Venus: The Runaway Greenhouse
  4. The Moon: Queen of the Night
  5. Mars: The Red Planet
  6. Asteroids: Vermin of the Skies
  7. Jupiter: King of the Planets
  8. Saturn: Lightwieght Lord of the Rings
  9. Uranus: The Toppled Giant
  10. Neptune: The Last Giant
  11. Pluto: King of the Kuiper Belt
  12. Comets: Cosmic Icebergs
      
      
  Appendices
  1. Lunar and Planetary Missions
  2. Planetary Data
  3. Satellite Data
  4. Planetary Rings
  5. The Largest known Kuiper Belt Objects
  6. Lunar and Planetary Firsts
  7. Selected Reading List
  8. Selected Websites

Extent: 324 pages; 4-colour throughout
Binding: CB & J
Publication Date: February 2007
ISBN: 978-0-387-40212-3

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