Worlds Beyond The Thrill of Planetary Observation

About this book

Ten planetary scientists describe their favourite planet, what they have discovered, and what drives them to explore. Each tells a personal story, ranging across the breadth of the solar system - from hellish Mercury to the snows of Pluto; from telescopic to robotic exploration; from adventures in Antarctica to painting planetary landscapes; from the frustrations of failure to the joys of success.
Contributors include: Alan Stern, J. Kelly Beatty, William K. Hartmann, Michael Zolensky, Robert G. Strom, Harrison H. Schmitt, Robin M. Canup, Matthew P. Golombek, Richard P. Binzel, and Christopher P. McKay.

Contents

Introduction Alan Stern; 1. Dateline: the planets J. Kelly Beatty; 2. Planetary science with a paintbrush in hand William K. Hartmann; 3. Chasing new meteorites, or finding Heaven on Earth Michael Zolensky; 4. Mercury: the inner frontier Robert G. Strom; 5. Return to the Moon! Harrison H. Schmitt; 6. Making moons Robin M. Canup; 7. To rove on the Red Planet Matthew P. Golombek; 8. To the asteroids and beyond! Richard P. Binzel; 9. Titan: a moon with an atmosphere Christopher P. McKay; 10. Seasons at the edge of night Alan Stern.

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Biography

Alan Stern is director of the Space Studies Department of the Southwest Research Institute, and Principal Investigator of NASA's Pluto-Kuiper Belt Mission, New Horizons.