Summary
Jupiter and Saturn are the two largest planets in the solar system and the first two gas giant planets encountered when moving away from the Sun. They are both immensely complicated systems not unlike miniature solar systems on their own: Jupiter has 63 known moons and its own ring system, whereas Saturn is famous for its rings and 62 known moons. Astronomers are finding with some regularity new, distant moons orbiting each of these planets, so their number of known satellites continues to grow.
Jupiter and Saturn, Revised Edition presents comprehensive and up-to-date information on these two fascinating planets in our solar system. Divided in two parts, this full-color resource discusses how these planets were discovered, basic data on the planets, new observations and current research findings, and much more.
Chapters include:
- Jupiter: Fast Facts about a Planet in Orbit
- The Interior of Jupiter
- Jupiter's Surface Appearance and Conditions
- Jupiter's Rings and Moons
- Missions to Jupiter
- Saturn: Fast Facts about a Planet in Orbit
- Saturn's Interior: Composition and Magnetic Field
- Saturn's Surface Appearance and Conditions
- Saturn's Rings and Moons
- Missions to Saturn
- An Environment for Life? Titan, Enceladus, and Europa
- Conclusions: The Known and Unknown.
Specifications
Full-color photographs and line illustrations. Tables and charts. Index. Appendixes. Glossary. Further print and Web resources.
About the Author(s)
Linda T. Elkins-Tanton, Ph.D., has a doctorate in geology and geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), held a research position at Brown University, and is now on the faculty at MIT. She is an expert on early planetary evolution, volcanic processes, and the connections between meteorite impacts, flood basalts, and global extinction events. She has been published in many journals, including Science; Nature Geoscience; Geology, Earth, and Planetary Science Letters; Geophysical Research Letters; and the Journal of Geophysical Research.