
An Introduction to the Solar System
Cambridge University Press
2nd Edition
Published on 12. May 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
418 pages
978-1-107-60092-8 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
Major leaps in space technology now allow us to view the splendour and diversity of the Solar System in remarkable detail. This textbook presents a fascinating description of the bodies in the Solar System and their origin and evolution. It highlights important concepts and techniques in boxed summaries. There are questions and answers throughout the text, as well as exercises with full solutions. Written and edited by practising planetary scientists, this new edition has been updated to reflect current knowledge and contains new figures to bring it up to date. It is ideal for introductory courses on the subject and is suitable for self-study. Online resources include electronic versions of figures from the book, sample assignments with suggested answers and links to websites featuring video clips and news stories related to the textbook.
Reviews / Votes
'An Introduction to the Solar System is clearly written, accurate, up-to-date, well-produced and a pleasure to read. It is a first rate production by a team of professionals, clearly designed for teaching and up to the high standards of The Open University. The many questions that are posed throughout the text (with answers at the back) make it an ideal teaching text. As a beginning text at an undergraduate level, it is hard to fault this book and I suspect that it will be widely used in introductory courses.' Professor S. Ross Taylor, Australian National University 'Of all the planetary science textbooks on my shelf, this is my new favourite. It is up to date, lavishly illustrated and engagingly written at a level that would challenge but not overwhelm the typical undergraduate. It is comprehensive and well-written. Undergraduates will find it educational and senior researchers will find topics outside their fields of expertise lucidly explained.' Dr Alan Rubin, University of California, Los Angeles 'This textbook gives a comprehensive review of the various objects and processes of the Solar System. It succeeds very well in conveying and explaining all the basic information and concepts on the planetary system, and it is as up to date as can be expected in this rapidly evolving field. The layout is clear and intuitive, the writing style is accessible, and calculations are given while avoiding complex mathematics. I highly recommend this book to anybody who wants to have an up-to-date introduction to the planetary sciences.' Professor Christian Koeberl, University of Vienna '5/5 stars: A must-have for anyone interested in learning more about planetary science.' BBC Sky at Night Magazine 'The rapid increase in knowledge of the Solar System, mostly from space missions, well merits the present revision after only seven years. This is an excellent textbook, well up to the standard of other Open University texts, and could well be used at other universities. It also provides a valuable reference book for specialists in other fields.' The Observatory '... engaging and well-structured ... ideal for introductory courses on the subject and is suitable for self-study.' SpaceflightMore details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises; 328 Halftones, color
Dimensions
Height: 263 mm
Width: 211 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
1320 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-107-60092-8 (9781107600928)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

David A. Rothery | Neil McBride | Iain Gilmour
An Introduction to the Solar System
Book
01/2018
3rd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€104.60
Shipment within 15-20 days
Previous edition

Neil McBride | Iain Gilmour
An Introduction to the Solar System
Book
02/2004
Cambridge University Press
€43.33
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
David A. Rothery is a volcanologist and planetary scientist at The Open University, with a background in geological remote sensing and a special fascination for the satellites of the outer planets. Neil McBride joined the Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute, at The Open University, in 2000 as Lecturer in Planetary and Space Science. He now works in acoustics supporting sustainable building design. Iain Gilmour is Head of the Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute at The Open University where he undertakes research on meteorites and large scale planetary impacts.
Editor
The Open University, Milton Keynes
The Open University, Milton Keynes
The Open University, Milton Keynes
Content
Introduction; 1. A tour of the solar system; 2. The internal structure of the terrestrial planets; 3. Planetary volcanism - Ultima Thule?; 4. Planetary surface processes; 5. Atmospheres of terrestrial planets; 6. The giant planets; 7. Minor bodies of the solar system; 8. The origin of the solar system; 9. Meteorites: a record of formation; Answers and comments; Appendices; Glossary; Further reading; Acknowledgements; Figure references; Index.