Since the publication of the popular first
edition, stellar and planetary scientists have produced
numerous new observations, theories, and
interpretations, including the "demotion" of our former
ninth planet Pluto as a dwarf planet. Covering all of
these new discoveries, Planetary Science: The
Science of Planets around Stars, Second Edition
explains the science associated with the planets, the
stars they orbit, and the interactions between them. It
examines the formation, evolution, and death of stars
and the properties of the Sun that influence the planets
of the Solar System. Along with more problems, this
second edition adds new material and improves some
analytical treatments. The book consists of two main
components. For students unfamiliar with stellar
properties or the overall structure of the Solar System,
the first part gives a general picture of the system as
a whole and the interrelationships of the bodies within
it. It presents an overview of the nature of stars and
the Solar System as well as important results obtained
by scientific analysis. The second component is a set
of 43 appendices describing the majority of the
underlying science required to explain the main features
of the Solar System. These appendices cover a variety of
specialized topics, from mineralogy to the mechanical
interactions of radiation and matter. End-of-chapter
problems give students a quantitative understanding of
stellar and solar system phenomena. The text shows how
useful estimates of various quantities can be made even
when characteristics of the system are not known with
any precision. While the problems can be completed with
a hand calculator, students are encouraged to use the
Fortran computer programs provided on the book’s CRC
Press web page. Avoiding excessive details, this
textbook offers a comprehensive account of stellar and
planetary topics. It is suitable for students from a
range of disciplines, including astronomy, geology, and
earth sciences. The book provides students with an
understanding of the nature of the Solar System and the
influences that govern its behavior, helping them
develop an appreciation of the forces that can influence
our planet in the future.
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