Planetary Sciences

by Imke de Pater , Jack J. Lissauer

• ISBN13: 9780521853712
• ISBN10: 0521853710
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-08-23
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

An authoritative introduction for graduate students in the physical sciences, this textbook explains the wide variety of physical, chemical, and geological processes that govern the motions and properties of planets. The second edition of this award-winning textbook has been substantially updated and improved. It now contains a reorganized discussion of small bodies, including a detailed description of the Kuiper belt and asteroid belt; a significantly expanded chapter on extrasolar planets and what they tell us about planetary systems; and appendixes providing a glossary of acronyms, tables of key spacecraft, a summary of observing techniques, and a sampling of very recent images. With over 300 exercises to help students apply the concepts covered, this textbook is ideal for courses in astronomy, planetary science and earth science, and well suited as a reference for researchers. Color versions of many figures and movie clips supplementing the text are available at www.cambridge.org/9780521853712.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Dynamics

Solar heating and energy transport

Planetary atmospheres

Planetary surfaces

Planetary interiors

Magnetic fields and plasmas

Meteorites

Minor planets

Comets

Planetary rings

Extrasolar planets

Planet formation

Appendices

References

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.