Book Description

Rave reviews for Pluto and Charon: Ice Worlds on the Ragged Edge of the Solar System
The story of the quest to understand Pluto and the resulting transformation of our concept of the diminutive planet from that of solar-system misfit to king of the Kuiper Belt is told in this book by Alan Stern and Jacqueline Mitton. Stern, a Plutophile to the core, is one of the most energetic, talented, and savvy planetary astronomers in the business today. Mitton, trained as an astronomer, is an experienced writer and editor of scientific books for nonscientists. Together they have created an immensely informative book . . . Written in an engaging and informal style, Pluto and Charon takes the reader step by step from the discovery of the ninth planet in 1930 to the current understanding of Pluto and its moon, Charon.-Sky & Telescope
More than a book summarizing what we know about [the] planet, [Pluto and Charon is] about how far and how fast astronomical technology has come since 1965 . . . Stern and Mitton use the narrative of Pluto research to explain in comfortable, everyday language how such work is done . . . One of the nice touches in the book is that Stern and Mitton tell us something about each astronomer.-Astronomy
Pluto and Charon presents the exploration of the ninth planet-written as a vivid historical account-for anyone with an interest in science and astronomy . . . the authors describe in simple language the methods researchers use to explore the universe and the way ever-improving instrumentation helps their knowledge advance.-Physics Today ... Read more

Reviews (7)

You want to become a Plutophile?
If you don't know much about the "King of the Kuiper Belt", read this book, and you will have a very clear scientific description of this "massive comet"...

This book is complete, starting from the historic discovery (blind luck, really) of Pluto, the subsequent observations that kept on shrinking the planet, then the suprising discovery of Charon, the fortuitious Pluto/Charon occultation, and the latest HST results.

Easy to read, and yet technical enough, this book will probably make you love this planet, even though it's only a big comet saved from destruction by its orbital resonance with Neptune... and will make you hate NASA (or the US Congress) for not going forward with their Pluto Express probe.

A good introduction to the ninth planet
This book is a well-written and enjoyable summary of what we know about Pluto and its relatively huge moon Charon. However, the fact of the matter is we don't know much because we have yet to send a spacecraft to this fascinating double planet! Stern and Mitton do a great job presenting the timeline of our discoveries about Pluto as well as the latest theories on the compositions and origin of these bodies.

I was especially impressed with the discussion of Pluto's atmosphere changing as a result of the planet's greatly elliptical orbit around the Sun. In addition, the authors give a great detailed breakdown of the discoveries gleaned from the mutual occultations in the late 80s. Also, this book was written several years ago but we have since indeed found many more Kuiper Belt objects that lend great credibility to the theory of Pluto simply being one of the largest of that family.

Too much time was spent on describing the birth and continuing struggles of the Pluto Express project. This discussion would have been more appropriate if the spacecraft had even launched, let alone successfully completed its mission. But the fact is that NASA's funding issues have kept the project grounded for now. Hopefully it'll fly in the next couple years. If it doesn't, much of the mission may be compromised because Pluto is getting farther from the Sun each day and as a result its atmospheric activity is dying.

Overall a great effort and worth your time. Don't expect incredible revelations and photographs though, because we still have yet to visit the place!

A Brand New Perspective On Our Solar System
A well written historic perspective on our outer-most-planet that by books' end will change your view of our solar system.

A thoroughly enjoyable easy-to-read book. More hard science/discovery books should be written this way.

It's not just the facts that are amazing but the proven-wrong theories we use to have on Pluto. Too bad we're still waiting for our first encounter with this mysterious planet. If history proves right, the Voyager probes were just another step in our discovering the 'real' solar system.

A truly, truly fun read
What I really liked about this book was the very irreverent tone which did not take away one bit from the scientific rigor of the presentation. The authors have a sense of humor and a genuine passion for their subject and it shows. I also liked the fact that in order to present the history of the Pluto/Charon system the book had to explain the latest hot-off-the-presses revolution in our understanding of the evolution of the Solar System. This was the first time I have been exposed to the idea of massive planets cleaning out all the early system planetisimals and the implications for the formation of the Kuiper Belt and other solar systems. It's rare to find a serious science book which is hard to put down, but this is it. Great exposition, great story, great book.

a very good and pleasing book. Has a lot of information.
This was a wonderful book. It was absolutely amazing. The report I used this book to do I got an A 100% +75 bonus points! It was very entertaning. I would give it more stars if I could. ... Read more

Book Description

Celebrates the return of Halley's comet with a wealth of facts and fantasy about comets. Features the superstitions, myths, and misconceptions surrounding their appearances. Reports on how comets were explained by the first sky-watchers. Recounts numerous tales about the effects comets have had on society and the role they have played in Earth's history. Shares the secrets and mysteries that enshroud Comet Halley as a harbinger of calamities and catastrophes. Records the history and discovery of this comet and discusses the plans scientists today have for studying the comet as it streaks through the constellations. ... Read more

Book Description

The graceful de Havilland Comet was the first aircraft to bring high speed, jet-powered flight to the world's airline marketplace. Unfortunately, it was also one of the very first civilian aircraft to fail in flight from explosive disintegration caused by a then marginal understanding of the forces and loads experienced by high altitude, pressurized, jet transport aircraft. Although it was a civil airliner failure, the redesigned Comet went on to serve the Royal Airforce in an updated configuration as the "Nimrod," one of the world's longest lived and most highly regarded military patrol aircraft. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Good Look at a Pioneer Airliner
Presented in a single volume are the histories and technical specifications of the De Havilland DH.106 Comet and its offspring, the Nimrod. Starting with an overview of the Brabazon Committee's plans for postwar airliners, Mr. Darling describes the design of the various Comet variants. The author covers the design flaws of the early Comet in very good detail. He describes the Comet 4 in service in England and throughout the world, and covers the RAF military Comets, including the Nimrod. The reference section covers significant dates but covers little else. There is no chart on the individual histories of the commercial airframes or even a section on preserved examples residing in museums, an unfortunate shortcoming.

A center spread contains some nice color pictures of civil and military Comets. However, considering that Dan Air was the largest operator of the Comet, that airline is vastly underrepresented. There are a few shots of the Comet and Nimrod flight decks, but very little in the way of interior shots, which is a pity. In these respects, this book is less detailed than the volume on the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser in the same series.

Overall, Mr. Darling presents a readable and interesting text. If, like me, you want to learn about this pioneer jetliner, this book is bound to please.

The straight scoop on the first civilian jet aircraft
Volume 7 in the outstanding Speciality Press series "Airliner Tech", De Havilland Comet contains the straight scoop on the first aircraft to bring high-speed, jet-powered flight to the marketplace and the masses of the world. But the De Havilland Comet was also one of the first civilian aircraft to suffer explosive disintegration during flight, caused by a poor understanding of the devastating forces experienced by a high altitude, pressurized jet aircraft. Though the De Havilland Comet was a civil failure, a better designed version served the Royal Airforce as the "Nimrod," one of the longest-lived military patrol aircraft. De Havilland Comet contains everything the aviation student and the non-specialist general reader would want to know about this fascinating jet, its history, and its legacy to the world of aviation. ... Read more

Book Description

The Cambridge Photographic Guide to the Planets includes a broad selection of the latest images of the planets, moons, comets, and asteroids of the Earth's Solar System. Beginning with a comprehensive introduction to the planetary system, its origin and its evolution, physicist Frederick Taylor devotes each chapter to a different planet or Solar System body, with a thorough presentation of its moons and rings, and incorporates images from planetary missions and explanatory captions.Having worked with NASA and the European Space Agency on missions to Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, and Titan, Taylor offers an unusually experienced perspective in this comprehensive reference.Frederic W. Taylor is Halley Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford and a Distinguished Visiting Scientist in the Earth and Space Sciences Division at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology.His research interests include the physics of planetary atmospheres; experimental methods for studying atmospheres; and the theory of atmospheric radiation and atmospheric molecular spectroscopy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

For anyone wanting to learn more about celestial objects
The Cambridge Photographic Guide To The Planets by Fred Taylor (Halley Professor of Physics, University of Oxford, and Distinguished Visiting Scientist, Earth and Space Sciences Division, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology) is a truly gorgeous book filled from cover to cover with full color astronomical photographs taken of planets, moons, and other heavenly bodies in our solar system. The descriptive text is scholarly, yet completely accessible to non-specialist general readers of a wide variety of educational backgrounds. The Cambridge Photographic Guide To The Planets is a splendid volume for anyone wanting to learn more about the celestial objects that are neighbor to Mother Earth, and would make a prized and appreciated addition to any personal, professional, academic, or community library astronomy collection. ... Read more

Book Description

This beutifully illustrated book with large color fold out chart quotes from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. The book and chart show how Jesus Christ predicted the world will be impacted by catagory 3 meteorites before May 14, 2068.Furthermore, many other world events are predicted with astounding clearity. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I rated this book as low as I could
It is truly a pity that people will actually read glop like this and come away thinking themselves to be well informed. Right from the impossible event portrayed on its cover to forward as far as the reader can stand, this book is a fraudulent, wrong-headed depiction of a very real hazard. Its readers, if they don't start out ignorant of science, will surely be rendered that way if they accept any part of this text. I cannot be more plain: don't bother buying it, borrowing it, or reading it. A hundred thumbs down on this epically bad work.

Garbage
This is a classic waste of good white paper. ... Read more

Book Description

Could a giant asteroid or comet crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it? Many astronomers who once discredited the risks are now convinced. You will be too after reading Duncan Steel's critically acclaimed examination of the evidence of Earth's encounters with killer comets and asteroids.

Acclaim for Rogue Asteroids and Doomsday Comets

"A chilling and utterly convincing account of a cosmic menace that must not be ignored any longer. This book is a welcome challenge to the scientific prejudice against catastrophism." —Paul Davies, author of The Mind of God

"Written in clear prose for the layperson, this gripping report advocates the creation of an international search program to detect, intercept, and divert Earth-menacing asteroids and comets." —Publishers Weekly.

"Steel writes clearly and ominously, and he should be listened to." —The Daily Telegraph (London)

A selection of the Astronomy Book Club

A Library Journal "Best Science Book of the Year" selection ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Ignore speculation and you have a good book..
I liked the book, but do not rate it as highly as "Rain of Iron and Ice" by John S. Lewis and "Impact" by Gerrit L Verschuur. However, it is much better than "Fire on Earth" by John and Mary Gribben.
My chief reservation about Steel's work is that he seems easily drawn to flights of whimsy such as Clube's and Napier's contentions regarding Beta Taurid cometary impacts that have affected history on a mammoth scale. While these are captivating proposals, perhaps, there isn't enough hard scientific evidence for them clutter up what was otherwise a hitherto fine scientific presentation of a real problem by Steel. Up to the author's dalliance into the speculative, the book is a good read about a serious, overlooked, preventable threat. His admonitions should be taken seriously.

Craters
Duncan Steel is one of the best known advocates for a near Earth observation system, and he and others like him should be listened to. Unfortunately the book is not too great. It didn't hold my attention, partly because of the intrusion of some of his opinions. If nothing else is available on the topic, this could be an okay choice. See instead "Rain of Iron and Ice" by John S. Lewis

Related titles include "Night Comes to the Cretaceous" by James Lawrence Powell and "T Rex and the Crater of Doom" by Walter Alvarez.

Please create an audio abridged version ...
To the publisher I would appreciate it if the publisher could produce an audio adaptation of this book. I would love to listen to this while I drive to work and to let my 16 month old son listen to it as a bedtime story. My goal is to expose him to some of my favorite passions, maths, sciences, physics, geophysics, paleontology, astronomy, electronics, photonics, new science and discoveries etc. The more audio books you can produce of the above genre the more I will support you. Arnold D Veness

Death from Space! - sometime.
Three events in the past decade have caused a great deal of interest in objects around us in space. Giotto's encounter with Halleys Comet, Hubble Space Telescope pictures of the Shoemaker/Levy comet crashing onto Jupiter and lastly the naked eye sightings of the Hale/Bopp Comet we have enjoyed earlier in the year. Originally from Somerset, Duncan Steel now works at the Anglo-Australian Observatory and his book provides a very readable account of the nature and movements of these very varied objects.

Ever since the first pictures of other planets and in particular their moons arrived, studies have been made of their cratering records. Pictures from space have also been the main method of detecting craters but this time down on earth where plate tectonics, erosion, sediments or vegetation tend to erase them.

Astronomy and Geology linked up when cosmic impact events were suggested as possible cause or trigger for some of the major extinctions we find in the fossil record. The effects of both solar and cosmic cycles on all aspects of life on the planet are now widely studied.

Mr. Steel gives an account of a very bright meteor seen by many people in 1993 in New South Wales. When asked for an estimate of how soon it would before another such sighting to occur the answer was given in years. One week later, however, an object estimated to be 2-3 meters in size and traveling at 30Km/Sec exploded 18Km overhead with the amount of energy produced by a Hiroshima Bomb. Events such as these and the trail of impacts left on Jupiter show that objects in space are certainly not solitary. Lines of craters have been found on other moons in the system. Comet Hale/Bopp provided a spectacular sight a few months ago but for now the interest is in the debris and dust they and asteroids can leave behind often in highly eccentric trails across our orbit. Gravitational forces and solar wind affect the objects and the trails have a structure and it is the "busy" parts of the belt which give the peaks to meteor showers as we pass. The widely varying time scales which have been linked with extinctions and other cycles are the result of earth and solar system moving round the galaxy.

The possible effects of a large impact, global warming, ice ages, large fire storms or basalt floods have all been discussed elsewhere but the book considers several other theories. A large object landing in the ocean could cause a truly instant catastrophe.

This is the tsunami wave which can be caused by earthquakes or large undersea slope collapse. Islands in the middle of the Pacific can feel the effects of activity right across the ocean. The sloping continental shelves amplify the height of the waves and in low lying areas they can reach well in land. Observations of the cratering pattern on Mercury led to one theory where the shock waves from a large impact travel round the globe and fracture the crust on the opposite side. Reconstruction of the continents at the times of suggested impact events seems to make it possible to link basalt floods such as the Deccan traps with their "opposite" partner.

The remainder of the book deals with the problems involved first in detecting objects which may be a threat to the earth and also discusses what or how anything could be done about it. The pictures of S/L 9 described as a "string of pearls" as it approached Jupiter show just how much of a problem this could prove. For a book found

on the astronomy shelves in the library this one provided a very interesting read and shows that we on earth are not alone in space. ... Read more

Book Description

This book presents the most recent research on the development of a reliable defense against objects that can potentially collide with the Earth. Large asteroids and comets can collide with the Earth causing severe consequences, and collisions are a random process that can occur at any time. To reduce the threat, it is necessary to understand these potentially hazardous objects. ... Read more

Book Description

Two hundred years after the first asteroid was discovered, asteroids can no longer be considered mere points of light in the sky. Spacecraft missions, advanced Earth-based observation techniques, and state-of-the-art numerical models are continually revealing the detailed shapes, structures, geological properties, and orbital characteristics of these smaller denizens of our solar system. This volume brings together the latest information obtained by spacecraft, combined with astronomical observations and theoretical modeling, to present our best current understanding of asteroids and the clues they reveal for the origin and evolution of the solar system.This collective knowledge, prepared by a team of more than one hundred international authorities on asteroids, includes new insights into asteroid-meteorite connections, possible relationships with comets, and the hazards posed by asteroids colliding with Earth. The book's contents include reports on surveys based on remote observation and summaries of physical properties; results of in situ exploration; studies of dynamical, collisional, cosmochemical, and weathering evolutionary processes; and discussions of asteroid families and the relationships between asteroids and other solar system bodies. Two previous Space Science Series volumes have established standards for research into asteroids. Asteroids III carries that tradition forward in a book that will stand as the definitive source on its subject for the next decade. ... Read more

Book Description

The phenomenon of retrograde motion is based on our Earth-centered view of the solar system, but the movement and cycles of retrograde planets are based entirely on the apparent motion of the Sun through the zodiac. Erin Sullivan organizes and explains retrograde motion from a systems viewpoint the system of the Sun and planets and interprets retrograde planets natally, by progression, and in transit. 33 illustrations. Introduction. Bibliography. Index. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A MICROSCOPIC SEARCH OF HIDDEN TREASURE
It is an exemplary treatise on the subject.I could not find a satisfying book on RETRGRADE PLANETS in past. None has tried to evaluate the role of retrograde planets. But the retrogression is constant astronomical phenomina. The estimation of strength of every planet is its position. In all charts like RADICAL,PROGRESSED, TRANSITING and DIURNAL still more are to be evaluated to predict.Nothing goes without taking RETROGRADE PLANETS.
Now comes a treatise on this topic.The author goes into all details minute and deals with planets in retrograde.It is a blooming Diamond well polished with a permanent shining light.The studious compilation has to be commended for its eternal utility. The style is very simple and explaining.
IT IS A MUST TO EVERY ASTROLOGER A BEGINNER AND PROFESSIONAL AS WELL.
I APPRECIATE THE AUTHOR ERIN SULLIVAN FOR HER COMMENDABLE WORK IN BRINGING OUT SUCH A TREATISE.

Astrology Down Under
Erin Sullivan's book, Retrograde Planets, was a landmark of sorts in astrology at the time it was first published in 1992. It was the first user-friendly astrology text/book to really address the issue of retrogrades in an in-depth and thought-full manner. Retrograde planets seem to turn around and go backward from our perspective on earth. During their backwards transit, they encourage us to look at the "under" or "other" side of things, thus the title of my review. We are all used to Mercury's retrograde three times a year, or we should be or at least have heard of it. Sullivan's book doesn't stop there. She considers the nature and mechanics of retrogression as it affects the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and the outer planets as well. You will not find a more thorough or READABLE explanation of this important phenomena. Sullivan also gives a good long chapter to retrograde natal planets and the secondary progression of retrograde planets or planets to retrograde. Not the most exciting writer in the world, Sullivan is nonetheless, thorough, methodical, devoted to her work and readable enough. I give this 5 stars not because the book is a real can't put downer, but rather because Sullivan is a meticulous astrologer who really knows her stuff. "Retrograde Planets" should be considered a good intermediate reference volume for the budding professional astrology.

Retrogression Fully Explained.....
This book has an amazing amount of info, written w/ great depth by Ms. Sullivan. It is a classic & must be read cover-to-cover. This is one for the serious Astrologer/student, & will be worth your effort! Some Astrology books seem slim in content...this one is chocked full of information on a sometimes ignored factor which occurs in most charts. Put your best thinking cap on for this one! Bravo, Erin!

Thank you, Erin
This is one of my all-time favorite astrology books. It made the movements of the planets understandable to me as no other book has. It includes detailed descriptions of the retrograde cycles of *all* the planets, and gives examples of how to use them in delineation. I found the parts about progressed aspects and stations particularly useful. Transits are included as well. There are many example charts with case histories to illustrate the principles Ms. Sullivan so clearly explains. I'd choose this book as part of an "essential" astrological library.

Rx Venus
Accurately describes the experience of having a personal planet like Venus retrograde. A must read for any student of astrology! ... Read more

Book Description

Meteorites and Their Parent Planets provides an engrossing overview of a highly interdisciplinary field--the study of extraterrestrial materials. The second edition of this successful book has been thoroughly revised, and describes the nature of meteorites, where they come from, and how they get to Earth. Meteorites offer important insights into processes in stars and in interstellar regions, the birth of our solar system, the formation and evolution of planets and smaller bodies, and the origin of life. The first edition was immensely popular with meteorite collectors, scientists and science students in many fields, as well as amateur astronomers. In this second edition all of the illustrations have been updated and improved, many sections have been expanded and modified based on discoveries in the past decade, and a new final chapter on the importance of meteorites has been added. Everyone with an interest in meteorites will want a copy of this book. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

One of the best books on the subject
Really a MUST-have for the serious meteorite collector. Lots of scientifical informations, but very readable.

Fascinating - I was amazed at the power of geochemistry
I'm a geologist who loves to find good summaries of geology / planetary science topics, and "Meteorites and their Parent Planets" is one of the best I've found. While I've always been more interested in "geometric" topics like structural geology, McSween's book made geochemistry and cosmochemistry come alive like I'd never imagined. He weaves a fascinating tale of the amazing deductions that have been made from analyses of meteorites. "Compositional" sciences like petrology and geochemistry used to make my eyes glaze over, but now I think that if I had it to do over again, I might go into geochemistry or meteoritics! I look forward to reading McSween's other books.

A great book which I highly recommend!!!
Informative reading and great photos. This book makes a great addition to your meteorite book library.

Great book for beginners and experienced collectors
I think that this book is very well written and easy for the beginner to understand. Lots of great information.

Great Book for beginners and experienced alike
As a meteorite dealer, I highly recommend this book for collectors to expand their knowledge. ... Read more