Reference Reviews

Lawrence Looks at Books

The Solar System, edited by David G. Fisher and Richard R. Erickson. 3 vols. 1,135p. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2010. 978-1-58765-530-2; 2009-013008. $364.

In the past twenty years space-based telescopes, infrared and ultraviolet astronomy, as well as numerous inter-planetary probes have revolutionized our understanding of both the universe and the solar system. For much of the Twentieth Century, scientists were lured by the mysteries of deep space to look beyond the solar system for objects of study. Now were new technologies and opportunities, studies of our own solar system have greatly proliferated. This heavily revised expansion of Magill’s Choice: The Solar System (Salem Press, 1998) makes extensive use of this explosion in research. The 180 expert-written essays explore the primary features of the solar system, including the sun, the eight planets, Pluto, Charon, asteroids, comets and other small bodies. With the exception of Mercury, the planets receive multiple entries. For instance, there are separate articles on Neptune’s atmosphere, dark spots, interior, magnetic field, ring system and satellites, as well a specific entry on Triton. Likewise, the Earth, Sun and Moon get similar treatment with extra attention to unique features like lunar maria, solar flares and winds, or the Earth’s oceans. From telescopes to radio astronomy, the methods used to study the solar system are also explained. Selected essays relate the planets to the sun, Milky Way Galaxy and the Universe beyond. As a result, the coverage includes meteor showers, the Oort Cloud and eclipses as well as brown dwarfs, pulsars and supernovae. Each article notes relevant disciplines, summarizes our current state of knowledge on the topic, relates how the knowledge gained from its study has been applied, and places our understanding of the subject in the context of the history of science. Numerous drawings and images highlight distinctive features and issues surrounding the solar system. Selected sidebars review the contributions of pioneering scientists, while the up-to-date bibliographies promote further research. Supplemental materials include a table of measures and a glossary of more than 600 terms. The result is a substantial introduction to our understanding of the universe which will serve both students and general readers. This set is recommended for school and public libraries.