Encyclopedia of the Solar System

Long before Galileo published his discoveries about Jupiter, lunar craters, and the Milky Way in the Starry Messenger in 1610, people were fascinated with the planets and stars around them. That interest continues today, and scientists are making new discoveries at an astounding rate. Ancient lake beds on Mars, robotic spacecraft missions, and new definitions of planets now dominate the news. How can you take it all in? Start with the new Encyclopedia of the Solar System, Second Edition.

This self-contained reference follows the trail blazed by the bestselling first edition. It provides a framework for understanding the origin and evolution of the solar system, historical discoveries, and details about planetary bodies and how they interact-and has jumped light years ahead in terms of new information and visual impact. Offering more than 50% new material, the Encyclopedia includes the latest explorations and observations, hundreds of new color digital images and illustrations, and more than 1,000 pages. It stands alone as the definitive work in this field, and will serve as a modern messenger of scientific discovery and provide a look into the future of our solar system.

· Forty-seven chapters from 75+ eminent authors review fundamental topics as well as new models, theories, and discussions
· Each entry is detailed and scientifically rigorous, yet accessible to undergraduate students and amateur astronomers
· More than 700 full-color digital images and diagrams from current space missions and observatories amplify the chapters
· Thematic chapters provide up-to-date coverage, including a discussion on the new International Astronomical Union (IAU) vote on the definition of a planet
· Information is easily accessible with numerous cross-references and a full glossary and index

Preface
Foreword
The Solar System and Its Place in the Galaxy
The Origin of the Solar System
A History of Solar System Studies
The Sun
The Solar Wind
Mercury
Venus: Atmosphere
Venus: Surface and Interior
Earth as a Planet: Atmosphere and Oceans
Earth as a Planet: Surface and Interior
The Sun-Earth Connection
The Moon
Meteorites
Near-Earth Objects
Mars Atmosphere: History and Surface Interaction
Mars: Surface and Interior
Mars: Landing Site Geology, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry
Main-Belt Asteroids
Planetary Satellites
Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
Interiors of the Giant Planets
Io: The Volcanic Moon
Europa
Ganymede and Callisto
Titan
Triton
Planetary Rings
Planetary Magnetospheres
Pluto and Charon
Physics and Chemistry of Comets
Cometary Dynamics
Kuiper Belt: Dynamics
Kuiper Belt Objects: Physical Studies
Solar System Dust
X-Rays in the Solar System
The Solar System at Ultraviolet Wavelengths
Infrared Views of the Solar System from Space
The Solar System at Radio Wavelengths
New Generation Optical/Infrared Telescopes
Planetary Radar
Semote Chemical Analysis
Solar System Dynamics: Regular and Chaotic Motion
Planetary Impacts
Planetary Volcanism
Planets and the Origin of Life
Planetary Exploration Missions
Extra-Solar Planets
Appendices
Glossary
Index