Encyclopedia of the solar system / edited by Tilman Spohn, Doris Breuer and Torrence Johnson.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The Encyclopedia of the Solar System, Third Edition--winner of the 2015 PROSE Award in Cosmology & Astronomy from the Association of American Publishers--provides a framework for understanding the origin and evolution of the solar system, historical discoveries, and details about planetary bodies and how they interact--with an astounding breadth of content and breathtaking visual impact. The encyclopedia includes the latest explorations and observations, hundreds of color digital images and illustrations, and over 1,000 pages. It stands alone as the definitive work in this field, and will serve as a modern messenger of scientific discovery and provide a look into the future of our solar system.New additions to the third edition reflect the latest progress and growth in the field, including past and present space missions to the terrestrial planets, the outer solar systems and space telescopes used to detect extrasolar planets.- Winner of the 2015 PROSE Award in Cosmology & Astronomy from the Association of American Publishers- Presents 700 full-color digital images and diagrams from current space missions and observatories, bringing to life the content and aiding in the understanding and retention of key concepts.- Includes a substantial appendix containing data on planetary missions, fundamental data of relevance for planets and satellites, and a glossary, providing immediately accessible mission data for ease of use in conducting further research or for use in presentations and instruction.- Contains an extensive bibliography, providing a guide for deeper studies into broader aspects of the field and serving as an excellent entry point for graduate students aiming to broaden their study of planetary science.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

This third installment of an exemplar encyclopedia (CH, Jul'07, 44-5979) is a well-organized, clearly written source of knowledge about the solar system. The subject is becoming ever more relevant to mainstream society with the commercialization of space exploration. This single volume contains 57 chapters encompassing 1,300 pages, beginning with a foreword and prefaces to current and previous editions. It concludes with an appendix (listing planetary satellites, and space missions to the sun, Venus, and moon), a glossary, and an extensive index. Each chapter offers an outline, a bibliography, and a summary, with full-color images, photographs, and detailed charts to enhance each topic. The contributions, written by more than 100 experts, are grouped into nine thematic parts treating the solar system, the sun, Earth-like planets, asteroids and comets, giant planets and their satellites, and much more. Chapters new to this edition deal with tools for geophysical exploration, potential Mars landing sites, planetary rotation, and the interiors of Mars and Earth's moon. There are also theoretical chapters on magnetic fields and thermal evolution in terrestrial planets, and the coordination among space-faring nations required to move from robotic to human exploration. This exciting summation of more than 50 years of continuing space exploration will appeal to scientists and enthusiasts alike. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic audiences; general readers; professionals/practitioners. --Ryan I. Saltz, Florida Coastal School of Law