Exploring the Solar System

Reviews / Votes

"This is an excellent account of our present knowledge of the Solar System. The text is clearly written, and the full-colour illustrations are magnificent and each one has a substantial caption...I recommend it to all who know little or nothing about the Solar System." (The Observatory, March 2013)

"This textbook is right up to date, containing many recent results from our robotic emissaries currently exploring Venus, Mars and the Saturnian system, especially the astounding discoveries the Cassini-Hygens mission has made about the moons Titan and Enceladus." (BBC Sky At Night, 1 June 2012)

"The book would make an excellent introduction to the planets, and the focus on exploration offers a different, less structured approach to an exciting and active research field, that will appeal to the interested non-specialist as well as students in the field." (Astronomy & Geophysics, 2012)

"I highly recommend the accessible and very informative book Exploring the Solar System by Peter Bond, to undergraduate students in science or in non-science related fields, and anyone in the general public seeking an understandable yet comprehensive overview of the Solar System. This book provides the up to the minute information about the Sun's family that will enrich your understanding of science in general, and outer space in particular." (Blog Business Word, 31 March 2012) "Peter Bond's Exploring the Solar System takes a different approach, presenting a comprehensive overview of the exploration of our planetary system, with a focus on what we have found out about the planets, dwarf planets and moons of the solar system. This is the place to find out about the spacecraft that have contributed so much to our understanding of our planetary neighbours, providing a strongly practical, "how do you know that?" slant on planetary science. The book gives a general overview of the solar system, organized by planet, as well as covering the discovery of other planetary systems. It does not have the emphasis on calculation of the OU texts, but gives extensive and detailed descriptions of our planetary neighbours. Bond emphasizes the discoveries arising from different spacecraft and evolving techniques, and includes comprehensive information about the history of exploration, with useful lists of missions in the appendix. Each chapter concludes with questions for the reader to think about (without answers), including discussion topics such as "Is it worth spending money on SETI?" The book would make an excellent introduction to the planets, and the focus on exploration offers a different, less structured approach to an exciting and active research field, that will appeal to the interested non-specialist as well as students in the field." (Astronomy & Geophysics, 2012)