Solar System Books

This book tells you how to exploit the power of the computer to model dozens of astronomical systems. Written in a conversational mode, it includes both the formulae and source code, in BASIC, (on disk) and executable files so you do not need a BASIC complier or runtime program to execute the programs. Subjects include: Simple Harmonic Motion, The Doppler Effect, Non-Spherical Masses in Orbit, Trojan Stability, Orbital Resonances, Ovendens Principle, Size Distributions of the Minor Planets, Global Positioning System, Gravitational Lenses, Harmonies Among the Stars, An Animated Analemma, Stability Zones, Solar Sailing, The Heliogyro, Build ing a Galaxy, Moon Phases, plus much, much more...

I love this little book. Its authors not only told me everything I've ever wondered about the moon and then some; they also put this information into biblical perspective, so that for me its primary take-away is just this: "What an awesome God we have!"

I like this book for it's beautiful illustrations and the simplicity of explanations. It also has some interesting inaccuracies which would make it perhaps add to it's collectibility. THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN PRIOR TO MAN LANDING ON THE MOON. Pages 22-23 have an illustration of men in space suits holding long ice picks and leaping on some mountains on the moon. In the background is a red rocket ship which has landed on the moon. The caption states, "The first explorers will find the moon a vst desert, with lofty mountains and big craters dotting the dusty plains. The Moon's weak gravity will allow the explorers to move in great leaps."

The chapter on MARS: PLANET OF MYSTERY, is interesting as well:
Page 27 explains, "Mars has no rivers, no oceans, or lakes. But it has a tilt like Earth's and therefore has seasons. When it is winter in one hemisphere, ice or snw covers the area around the pole. This polar cap is probably less than a foot deep,but it contains nearly all the water on the planet! In spring, the ice cap begins to melt. Through the telescopes, we see the dark greenish patches appear along the edges of the cap. These are perhaps areas covered by green moses--the only life believed to exist on the planet...As autum comes, the greenish areas turn brown. As winter sets in, winds carry the water back to the pole, and there it freezes again."

The next chapter covers "MEN OF MARS" It discusses how people thought the canals seen on mars must be irrigation ditches to lead water from the melting snow caps to the farmers fields..."But few astronomers take these ideas seriously...In 1956 Mars came closer to earth than it had come in many years. Astronomers all over the world watched it through telesopes, photographed it, and studied its light with spectroscopes. STILL THEY FOUND NO SURE SIGN THAT THERE IS ANY LIFE ON MARS EXCEPT FOR LOWLY MOSSES...But even if there are no people on Mars, we can look forward to the day when Earth men may explore it."

I think this book is a great collectors piece to contrast our view of the solar system in the 1950's vs now, and how far we have come. It is also lovely for its beautiful illustrations.

What a great fun-to-read book!!!

From the moment that you start reading this book, you will realise the passion that Patrick Moore has for the Moon. In this book he reviews the early folklore and superstitions that early man had for the Moon, these are from around the world and make fascinating reading. Then he brings the reader up to date with all the latest knowledge gained from automatic probes and the apollo Moon landings. This is Patrick Moores writing at its very best and is a must have book for all astronomers and enthusiasts of all ages.

This is essentially a map of the Moon that closely resembles a state road map. It has a reasonable index and labels the major features. It doesn't try to identify everything you could see with a large telescope but it is useful tool for the average binocular observer, a viewer with a small telescope or for a classroom wall.

Excellent book for someone who is interested in up to date information and learning more about becoming professionally involved with solar energy.

For a college Astronomy class, I had to give a presentation on Mars--something besides the general knowledge factoids that you can dig up off the Internet. So, I went in search of a satisfying Mars book that went beyond the basics, but didn't tax one like me who isn't the best at science. I found this book on Amazon, and I order it! I was NOT disappointed! For a science book, I found this to be both interesting and entertaining to read. It contains some fascinating images and illustrations to explain the Red Planet--past, present, and future. I felt very close to Olympus Mons, the Solar System's largest volcano, and to many other Martian features after reading this book. I especially enjoyed the bit about Mars' moons.

If you are interested in Mars, this is a must-have!

One of the few books about aerospace engineering that talks in detail about how real spacecraft were engineered.

I have many of these guides and I find them fascinating. They are filled with facts of basic information and that is a strong assest for them, for me this is enough information. If I want more info. I can read a bigger, longer book. Often longer nonfiction books have too many words, too much information and the basic facts get lost in this so-called extended vocabulary. Looking for the basic fascinating information/introduction to a subject buy/read: A Golden Guide.

This book has vivid pictures which make it worth buying just for that. The information is extreemly useful and some of it can be hard to find in other place.