Discovering the Solar System

List of Tables

Preface and Study Guide to the First Edition

Preface to the Second Edition

1 The Sun and its Family

1.1 The Sun

1.2 The Sun's Family - A Brief Introduction

1.3 Chemical Elements in the Solar System

1.4 Orbits of Solar System Bodies

1.5 Planetary Rotation

1.6 The View from the Earth

1.7 Summary of Chapter 1

2 The Origin of the Solar System

2.1 The Observational Basis

2.2 Solar Nebular Theories

2.3 Formation of the Satellites and Rings of the Giant Planets

2.4 Successes and Shortcomings of Solar Nebular Theories

2.5 Summary of Chapter 2

3 Small Bodies in the Solar System

3.1 Asteroids

3.2 Comets and Their Sources

3.3 Meteorites

3.4 Summary of Chapter 3

4 Interiors of Planets and Satellites: The Observational and Theoretical Basis

4.1 Gravitational Field Data

4.2 Magnetic Field Data

4.3 Seismic Wave Data

4.4 Composition and Properties of Accessible Materials

4.5 Energy Sources, Energy Losses, and Interior Temperatures

4.6 Summary of Chapter 4

5 Interiors of Planets and Satellites: Models of Individual Bodies

5.1 The Terrestrial Planets

5.2 Planetary Satellites, Pluto, EKOs

5.3 The Giant Planets

5.4 Magnetospheres

5.5 Summary of Chapter 5

6 Surfaces of Planets and Satellites: Methods and Processes

6.1 Some Methods of Investigating Surfaces

6.2 Processes that Produce the Surfaces of Planetary Bodies

6.3 Summary of Chapter 6

7 Surfaces of Planets and Satellites: Weakly Active Surfaces

7.1 The Moon

.2 Mercury

7.3 Mars

7.4 Icy Surfaces

7.5 Summary of Chapter 7

8 Surfaces of Planets and Satellites: Active Surfaces

8.1 The Earth

8.2 Venus

8.3 Io

8.4 Icy Surfaces: Europa, Titan, Enceladus, Triton

8.5 Summary of Chapter 8

9 Atmospheres of Planets and Satellites: General Considerations

9.1 Methods of Studying Atmospheres

9.2 General Properties and Processes in Planetary Atmospheres

9.3 Summary of Chapter

"...is strongly recommended both for its coverage and its style of presentation..." (Spaceflight)"...certainly qualifies as an authoritative text.... The author clearly has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject..." (Meteoritics and Planetary Science)"...liberally doused with relevant graphs, tables, and black and white figures of good quality..." (EOS, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union)"...one of the best books on the Solar System.... The general accuracy and quality of the content is excellent..." (Journal of the British Astronomical Association)

"A thorough book for two-semester college-level courses...it also serves astronomers...a suitable book for any college library." (CHOICE, January 2008)
 
"...is strongly recommended both for its coverage and its style of presentation..." (Spaceflight)
 
"...certainly qualifies as an authoritative text.... The author clearly has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject..." (Meteoritics and Planetary Science)
 
"...liberally doused with relevant graphs, tables, and black and white figures of good quality..." (EOS, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union)
 
"...one of the best books on the Solar System.... The general accuracy and quality of the content is excellent..." (Journal of the British Astronomical Association)