Destiny or Chance: Our Solar System and its Place in the Cosmos - Hardcover

Taylor, Stuart Ross

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521481783 ISBN 13: 9780521481786

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1998

Synopsis

Written by a leading planetary scientist, this book tells the remarkable story of how our solar system came into existence. It provides a fast-paced and expert tour of our new understanding of the Earth, its planetary neighbours and other planetary systems. We are shown why Mars is so small, where comets come from, how rings form around planets, why asteroids exist and why Pluto isn't a planet at all. En route we discover that chance events have shaped the course of the history of our solar system. Dramatic collisions, for example, have caused the tilts and spins of planets, the extinction of the dinosaurs and the rise of man. Finally, we look at how suitable Earth is for harbouring life, what other planetary systems look like and whether we are alone in the cosmos. For all those interested in understanding our solar system, this is a lucid and compelling read.

About this title

Review

'This book would make excellent background reading for astronomy students at both Bachelor and Masters level and gives enough pointers for them to be able to find more quantitative accounts as and when necessary. It is also an excellent read for the interested lay person ... I enjoyed reading it very much and I fully recommend it to other readers who wish to have an authoritative but understandable overview of our solar system.' Iwan Williams, Astronomy and Geophysics

'This book provides a fast-paced and expert tour through the new revolutions sweeping the study of Earth, its planetary neighbours, and other planetary systems. The author's viewpoint of our planetary system's uniqueness is essential reading for those who seek to understand our place in the universe.' Jonathan I. Lunine, University of Arizona

' ... [contains a] wealth of factual information on the solar system ... supplied with the solid authority of a lifetime's experience in planetological research, backed by impressive international plausits.' Edwin Budding, Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand

' ... an accessible, readable format, he includes many historical titbits and a multitude of marvellous facts and figures.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

'This is a book that should be read by anyone who wants to be a scientist, is a scientist, or is interested in science.' Simon Conway Morris, Geological Magazine

'... I found this a very readable book' Linda Fowler, The Open University Geological Society

'A very easily read volume and a useful reference - a good buy!' Peter D. Mata, Spaceflight

'This is just a wonderful book ... this is not just another descriptive book about the solar system, but a book that explores the implications of that description ... The book can be profitably read, I would think, by anyone from motivated high school students to professional scientists. It can most profitably be read by those who don't already understand the historical sciences.' Graham Ryder, Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin

'This is just a wonderful book ... This is not just another descriptive book about the solar system, but a book that explores he implications of that description ... Ross Taylor ... is a fine writer - the essay-style prose runs easily, the accompanying images play their part, and the text is interwoven with fine interesting asides, especially historical ones (not too many planetary texts caan fluently bring in notes about Haydn).' Graham Ryder, Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin

'... fascinating questions form the core of Taylor's book ... benefits from an accessible and engaging tone.' BBC Sky at Night

Book Description

Written by a leading planetary scientist, this book is a fast-paced, non-technical and expert tour of how our solar system came into existence. En route we discover that chance events have shaped its history. A lucid and compelling read.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0521481783
• ISBN 13: 9780521481786
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248