Introduction to Planetary Photometry - Hardcover

Shepard, Michael K.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 110713174X ISBN 13: 9781107131743

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2017

Synopsis

Introducing planetary photometry as a quantitative remote sensing tool, this handbook demonstrates how reflected light can be measured and used to investigate the physical properties of bodies in our Solar System. The author explains how data gathered from telescopes and spacecraft are processed and used to infer properties such as the size, shape, albedo, and composition of celestial objects including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. Beginning with an overview of the history and background theory of photometry, later chapters delve into the physical principles behind commonly used photometric models and the mechanics of observation, data reduction, and analysis. Real-world examples, problems, and case studies are included, all at an introductory level suitable for new graduate students, planetary scientists, amateur astronomers and researchers looking for an overview of this field.

About this title

About the Author

Michael K. Shepard is Professor of Geosciences at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, specialising in remote sensing, planetary photometry and asteroid studies. He is the author of the popular science book Asteroids: Relics of Ancient Time (Cambridge, 2015), articles for popular science magazines like Sky and Telescope, and a guest science column for the regional Press Enterprise newspaper. He has previously worked at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 110713174X
• ISBN 13: 9781107131743
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 258