Co-authors Morrison and Owen are among the leading researchers in planetary astronomy today, and this book reflects their expertise and excitement for the subject. Drawing on recent findings, this authoritative, up-to-date text gives a straightforward account of the evolution of the solar system. Written in an informal style without the use of mathematics, this book is equally accessible to beginning college students and amateur scientists. In the second edition, the results of recent space exploration are augmented by a new chapter on the sun. Six chapters are now in full color to provide a visual survey of the solar system.

Planetary System

Science & Math

Morrison, David

Owen, Tobias

Astronomy & Space Science

Addison-Wesley

The author's conversational tone will bring the planets, their satellites, our Sun and Moon, comets, asteroids, and meteorites a bit closer to home.

The Planetary System (2nd Edition)

The authors present the most important facts about astronomy from a uniquely engaging viewpoint: how can we find other advanced civilizations? To address the question, Goldsmith and Owen provide a fascinating description of the history and structure of the universe, and then consider current ideas about the origin and cosmic distribution of life. Their book is an up-to-the-minute account of our understanding of the universe, of the likelihood of life throughout the cosmos, and of the ways in which advanced civilizations can make contact. World-renowned authority on extraterrestrial life Donald Goldsmith gives the reader a solid introduction to the subject, and the revision includes new information from all areas of current astronomical research. No science background is required, and the mathematics level is high- school algebra.

Search for Life in the Universe (2nd Edition)

Goldsmith, Donald

Shrouded by the thick clouds of a hot, dense atmosphere, the planet Venus - Earth's close neighbor in space - remained mysterious until recent decades. Today, with new data from sophisticated contemporary observatories and from Russian and American spacecraft, Venus has moved into sharper focus. This comprehensive book provides the most up-to-date and detailed analysis available of the nature of Venus. The authors, distinguished experts in planetary science from Russia and the United States, examine all the principal aspects of Venus, with particular attention paid to the planet's formation, the development of a runaway greenhouse effect, and Venus' evolution into a planet completely different from the others in our solar system.

The Planet Venus (The Planetary Exploration Series)

Marov, Mr. Mikhail Ya.

Grinspoon, Assistant Professor David H.

Levchenko, Natasha

Mastaler, Ronald

Yale University Press

Co-authors David Morrison and Tobias Owen are leading researchers in planetary astronomy today, and The Planetary System, Third Edition reflects their expertise and excitement for the subject. Drawing on recent findings, this authoritative, up-to-date book gives a straightforward account of our solar system. Written in an informal style with minimal use of mathematics, this book is ideal for beginning non-science readers. Since publication of the previous edition, the pace of planetary exploration and new discoveries has accelerated. Also, the new multidisciplinary field of astrobiology has emerged and now provides a fruitful perspective for the study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life within our solar system and other planetary systems. As scientists who have participated in the definition and development of astrobiology, Morrison and Owen have integrated these new perspectives, as well as many other discoveries, into this new edition to make it once again undisputedly the most authoritative, up-to-date, and exciting planetary book available.

Planetary System, The (3rd Edition)

Benjamin/Cummings