An Introduction to the Solar System

摘要

Here is another significant contribution from the educators and scientists of The Open Universityl Many textbooks on planetary science have been published in recent years, but this one has quickly become my favourite. It is written at a challenging but not too challenging level for undergraduate students. The book does not follow the "normal" layout, which would begin with a historical overview, then proceed with coverage of the various bodies of the Solar System. Instead, the editors have chosen the following sequence for the nine chapters: Chapter 1 is entitled "A Tour of the Solar System" and covers the various components of the solar system as well as a short treatment of its formation and history of study. This is followed by "The Internal Structure of the Terrestrial Planets" and then "Planetary Volcanism - Ultima ThuleV (with reference to the Thulean volcanic province of the North Atlantic region and the meaning of the Latin phrase "ultima Thule" as "journeys to the utmost limits of exploration"). "Planetary Surface Processes" contains a useful section on the importance of bolide impact (although I was "horrified" by the notion that "pseudotachylite is another characteristic impact-produced rock type"). The next chapter covers "Atmospheres of the Terrestrial Planets", which is logically followed by a chapter on the gaseous "Giant Planets", and their various chemical and physical characteristics. The next chapter deals with "Minor Bodies of the Solar System", covering asteroids, comets and interplanetary dust - and their origin. The final chapters deal with "Origin of the Solar System" and then "Meteorites: A Record of formation".