Introduction to Planetary Science

This textbook is intended to be used in a lecture course for college students majoring in the Earth Sciences. Planetary Science provides an opportunity for these students to apply a wide range of subject matter pertaining to the Earth to the study of other planets of the solar system and their principal satellites. As a result, students gain a wider perspective of the different worlds that are accessible to us and they are led to recognize the Earth as the only oasis in space where we can live without life-support systems.

The subject matter is presented in 24 chapters that lead the reader through the solar system starting with historical perspectives on space exploration and the development of the scientific method. The presentations concerning the planets and their satellites emphasize that their origin and subsequent evolution can be explained by applications of certain basic principles of physics, chemistry, and celestial mechanics and that the surface features of the solid bodies in the solar system can be interpreted by means of the principles of geology.

• Organized in a hierarchical manner so that every chapter builds on preceding ones

• Abundantly illustrated with diagrams and color images

• Includes problem sets and a glossary

Klappentext

This textbook details basic principles of planetary science that help to unify the study of the solar system. It is organized in a hierarchical manner so that every chapter builds upon preceding ones.

Starting with historical perspectives on space exploration and the development of the scientific method, the book leads the reader through the solar system. Coverage explains that the origin and subsequent evolution of planets and their satellites can be explained by applications of certain basic principles of physics, chemistry, and celestial mechanics and that surface features of the solid bodies can be interpreted by principles of geology.

Inhalt

Preface 1. The urge to explore 2. From speculation to understanding 3. The planets of the solar system 4. Life and death of stars 5. Origin of the solar system 6. The earth: model of planetary evolution 7. The clockwork of the solar system 8. Meteorites and impact craters 9. The Earth-Moon system 10. Mercury: too hot for comfort 11. Venus: planetary evolution gone bad 12. Mars: the little planet that could 13. Asteroids: shattered worlds 14. Jupiter: heavy-weight champion 15. Galilean satellites: jewels of the solar system 16. Saturn: the beauty of rings 17. Titan: an ancient world in deep freeze 18. Uranus: what happened here? 19. Neptune: more surprises 20. Pluto and Charon: the odd couple 21. Ice worlds at the outer limit 22. Comets: coming inside from the cold 23. Earth: the cradle of humans 24. Brown-dwarf stars and extrasolar planets Appendix I. Mathematical equations used in astronomy Appendix II. Summaries of physical and orbital parameters Glossary Author Index Subject Index