Mars is the next target for planetary exploration, with three space missions planned for the years between 1992 and 1996. Past missions, such as Mariner and Viking, have already provided a wealth of data on the planet. Peter Cattermole has covered an enormous amount of this research in Mars - The story of the Red Planet and has presented it in a clear and logical manner, accessible to anyone interested in astronomy, space or planetary science. Mars contains many colour illustrations and Viking images not previously available to the general public. This superb imagery is complemented by excellent maps of Mars provided by the United States Geological Survey. Mars is also a state-of-the-art account of the geology and atmosphere of the planet. The author traverses the different regions of Mars - the ancient cratered highlands, the volcanic plains and the icy polar regions - and explains the gradual evolutionary processes that created them. The evidence shows that the surface of Mars has been shaped by catastrophic floods, bombardment by asteroids, widespread volcanic and periglacial activity and the Martian winds, and that the surface once featured rivers, streams and possibly rivers of snow and ice.

Mars : The Story of the Red Planet

Science & Math

Cattermole, P.

Astronomy & Space Science

Springer

As I write this short preface, the red orb of Mars is high in the eastern sky, and is brighter than it has been for many years. Last night my telescope again revealed the strange polar hood which is a feature of the planet at this time in its cycle. Because of its current prominence in the night sky, it is a very appropriate time to bring together and reappraise what we know of Mars and look forward to the next wave of planetary exploration. The initial notion of writing a book about Mars is an exciting one; the practicalities involved in working through and completing the project are, however, more than a trifle exacting. The first problem I encountered was the sheer vastness of the library of information about Mars which now exists. The second was the natural extension of the first, that is, how best to analyse it and reach widely acceptable interpretations. I have tried to write the story of Mars in a logical and unbiased way, however, we all have our individual prejudices, and I would be less than truthful if I did not admit to personal bias here and there. With this in mind, I apologise to any authors who may feel either misinterpreted or less than adequately acknowledged. The project is now completed and has been superbly prepared by Chapman & Hall.

Mars: The story of the Red Planet

Reference

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Cattermole, P.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Cattermole, P.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Cattermole, P.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Mars : The Story of the Red Planet

Mars: The story of the Red Planet