The Space-Age Solar System

This volume aims to provide a non-mathematical description of the Sun, planets, moons, asteroids and comets in our solar system. Discussion is based on results obtained from recent space probes to Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. The text offers detailed descriptions of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and the results of the recent probes of Halley's Comet. An extensive discussion of meteorites leads to a description of the current models of the solar system. Introductory chapters present theories of the solar system from the ancient Greeks to the present day. Other topics covered include the Sun, its structure and how it generates energy, and the surfaces, internal structures and histories of the planets.