Teach Yourself the Planets

by Rothery, David A.

• ISBN13: 9780658004865
• ISBN10: 0658004867
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: MCG

Summary

The universe is like a vast theater. On a dark and starry night, all we can see is the first row. Get to know that row -- the planets in our solar system -- and learn about astronomy with this informative, concise guide covering everything from ancient beliefs to modern discoveries.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	viii
Introduction	1	(4)
History of the planets	2	(3)
The Solar System	5	(17)
Local geography	5	(5)
A short history lesson	10	(7)
A little bit of chemistry	17	(2)
Planetary heat	19	(1)
Planetary facts	20	(2)
Mercury	22	(10)
Rotation and orbit	23	(1)
Temperature extremes and polar ice	24	(1)
The interior	25	(1)
The atmosphere	26	(1)
The surface	26	(4)
Global contraction	30	(2)
Venus	32	(19)
Rotation and orbit	33	(1)
Missions to Venus	34	(2)
The atmosphere	36	(3)
The interior	39	(1)
Global topography	40	(1)
The surface	40	(9)
Global history	49	(2)
Earth	51	(11)
Rotation and orbit	52	(1)
The atmosphere	52	(4)
The interior	56	(2)
Plate tectonics	58	(4)
The Moon	62	(11)
Rotation and orbit	62	(1)
Missions to the Moon	62	(3)
The atmosphere and polar ice	65	(1)
The interior	66	(1)
The surface	67	(5)
Living on the Moon?	72	(1)
Mars	73	(18)
Rotation and orbit	73	(1)
Mission to Mars	74	(2)
The atmosphere and the polar caps	76	(2)
The interior	78	(1)
Global topography	79	(2)
The surface	81	(5)
Global history and climate change	86	(1)
Life on Mars	87	(2)
Satellites	89	(2)
Asteroids	91	(8)
Rotations and orbits	91	(2)
Missions to asteroids	93	(2)
Asteroid compositions	95	(1)
Surface features	96	(1)
A threat to the Earth?	97	(2)
Jupiter	99	(34)
Rotation and orbit	100	(1)
Missions to Jupiter	101	(3)
The interior	104	(2)
The atmosphere	106	(3)
The Shoemaker Levy 9 impacts	109	(2)
Rings	111	(2)
Satellites	113	(20)
Saturn	133	(24)
Rotation and orbit	134	(1)
Missions to Saturn	134	(1)
The interior	135	(1)
The atmosphere	136	(2)
Rings	138	(3)
Satellites	141	(16)
Uranus	157	(19)
Rotation and orbit	158	(1)
Missions to Uranus	158	(1)
The interior	159	(1)
The atmosphere	159	(2)
Rings	161	(2)
Satellites	163	(13)
Neptune	176	(15)
Rotation and orbit	177	(1)
Missions to Neptune	177	(1)
The interior	178	(1)
The atmosphere	178	(4)
Rings	182	(1)
Satellites	183	(8)
Pluto, Charon and the Kuiper belt	191	(10)
Rotation and orbit	193	(1)
Mission to Pluto	194	(2)
Pluto's interior	196	(2)
Charon	198	(1)
The Kuiper belt	198	(2)
Beyond the Kuiper belt?	200	(1)
Planets round other stars	201	(7)
Life on exoplanets	204	(1)
Is there anybody out there?	205	(3)
Appendix: More Information about the planets	208	(4)
Observing the planets	208	(1)
Planets on the Web	209	(3)
Glossary	212	(8)
Index	220