Jupiter

Reviews / Votes

In this superbly researched and illustrated guide to the giant planet, the authors have trawled through centuries of humanity's archives for documentation of Jupiter, looking for engaging ways to explain what astronomers know about the planet, and how they found out . . . the illustrations are exceptional, reproducing one archive gem after another . . . reading this comprehensive primer on Jupiter - and on planetary astronomy itself - is as enlightening as it is thoroughly enjoyable. * BBC Sky at Night Magazine * Thomas Hockey . . . joins forces with fellow writer and historian Bill Sheehan in this popular introduction to the Solar System's largest planet, in a new series of books by Reaktion Books. Jupiter is very well written and illustrated. The approach is basically historical, with much fascinating detail and many rich insights into the subject . . . The references are comprehensive . . . In summary, Jupiter is both eloquent and detailed. I can thoroughly recommend it as the best available introduction to this fascinating world. -- Richard McKim * The Observatory * The scope of this book is very wide-ranging, including chapters on ancient observations of Jupiter, the origin and structure of the planet, features in its atmosphere, its satellites and the Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts. It also features results from spacecraft - including some initial results from the current Juno mission . . . well written and easy to follow. It is also well illustrated, with numerous colour and black-and-white illustrations. There are a number of spacecraft images, plus amateur images and drawings . . . I enjoyed reading the book and it provides a good overview of the Jovian system for a general reader. * Journal of the British Astronomical Association * The gas giant planet Jupiter, with its red spot and ever-changing meteorology, has fascinated human curiosity since as far back as records exist thousands of years ago. William Sheehan and Thomas Hockey add to the Kosmos series of books exploring our Solar System and beyond by looking not only at the historical and cultural context of Jupiter's continued significance but also by exploring its parts, from its atmosphere and weather patterns, to its rings and moons. They present the knowledge accumulated from the earliest observations by Galileo to the Juno mission's latest discoveries * Nature Astronomy * A glossy coffee-table title, packed with more than 100 images and illustrations. The opening chapters do a good job in tackling the birth of the solar system and all the Jovian planets; describing how they formed; before delving into Jupiter itself, layer by layer, from atmosphere to core . . . Sheehan and Hockey's language is clear . . . the book is well-paced . . . a useful and practical planetary-science primer. * Physics World * For more about the largest planet in our solar system, check out the beautiful hardcover book Jupiter by William Sheehan and Thomas Hockey, from the Kosmos series. We handpick reading recommendations we think you may like * Curiosity.com * This book is especially strong on a survey of amateur observations of Jupiter, and for that reason alone it is a useful addition to the literature. * Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage * To help us get up to speed on all things Jupiter, astronomy historian William Sheehan and astronomer Thomas Hockey have written a delightful primer, Jupiter, exploring all we know about this Jovian giant, from ancient historical references to theories as to its nature through the centuries and, ultimately, the exciting discoveries being made today. -- Milbry C. Polk * The Explorers Journal *