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Meteorites are fascinating cosmic visitors. Using accessible language, this book documents the history of mineralogy and meteorite research, summarizes the mineralogical characteristics of the myriad varieties of meteorites, and explains the mineralogical characteristics of Solar System bodies visited by spacecraft. Some of these bodies contain minerals that do not occur naturally on Earth or in meteorites. The book explains how to recognize different phases under the microscope and in back-scattered electron images. It summarizes the major ways in which meteoritic minerals form - from condensation in the expanding atmospheres of dying stars to crystallization in deep-seated magmas, from flash-melting in the solar nebula to weathering in the terrestrial environment. Containing spectacular back-scattered electron images, colour photographs of meteorite minerals, and with an accompanying online list of meteorite minerals, this book provides a useful resource for meteorite researchers, terrestrial mineralogists, cosmochemists and planetary scientists, as well as graduate students in these fields

A definitive reference on the Dawn mission and its key results, including the implications for our understanding of the asteroid belt and evolution of the Solar System. With chapters written by prominent scientists, this is an essential volume for researchers and professionals of planetary science, asteroid science and space exploration.

The chemical composition of any planetary atmosphere is of fundamental importance in determining its photochemistry and dynamics in addition to its thermal balance, climate, origin and evolution. Divided into two parts, this book begins with a set of introductory chapters, starting with a concise review of the Solar System and fundamental atmospheric physics. Chapters then describe the basic principles and methods of spectroscopy, the main tool for studying the chemical composition of planetary atmospheres, and of photochemical modeling and its use in the theoretical interpretation of observational data on chemical composition. The second part of the book provides a detailed review of the carbon dioxide atmospheres and ionospheres of Mars and Venus, and the nitrogen-methane atmospheres of Titan, Triton and Pluto. Written by an expert author, this comprehensive text will make a valuable reference for graduate students, researchers and professional scientists specializing in planetary atmospheres.

Providing the latest results and color images from the Cassini space mission, this up-to-date edition is an important resource for students and professionals in planetary science. Revised highlighted topics include Saturn's F ring, Uranus' rings and moons, Neptune's partial rings, dusty rings, and Jupiter's ring-moon system after the New Horizons mission.

This book explains how and why solid planets and satellites develop crusts. It presents a comprehensive survey and comparative analysis of crustal development on different planetary bodies, and is a key reference for researchers and students in geology, geochemistry, planetary science, astrobiology and astronomy.

This richly illustrated book is the first dedicated to volcanism on Io. Containing the latest results from the Galileo mission data analysis this book will be a fascinating reference for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and researchers in planetary sciences, volcanology, remote sensing and geology.

Covering our understanding of Mars' formation, geology, atmosphere, interior, surface properties, and potential for life, this textbook is essential reading for graduate courses, and an important reference for researchers. This interdisciplinary textbook encompasses geology, chemistry, atmospheric sciences, geophysics, and astronomy, and any necessary background information is provided.

This clear and systematic text summarizes the ideas surrounding the origin and history of chondrules and chondrites, drawing on research from the various scientific disciplines involved. With citations to a large number of published papers on the topic, it forms a comprehensive bibliography of the key research areas.

Planetary Surface Processes is the first advanced textbook to cover the full range of geologic processes that shape the surfaces of planetary-scale bodies. Using a modern, quantitative approach, this book reconsiders geologic processes outside the traditional terrestrial context. It highlights processes that are contingent upon Earth's unique circumstances and processes that are universal. For example, it shows explicitly that equations predicting the velocity of a river are dependent on gravity: traditional geomorphology textbooks fail to take this into account. This textbook is a one-stop source of information on planetary surface processes, providing readers with the necessary background to interpret new data from NASA, ESA and other space missions. Based on a course taught by the author at the University of Arizona for 25 years, it is aimed at advanced students, and is also an invaluable resource for researchers, professional planetary scientists and space-mission engineers.

Our knowledge of Mars has grown enormously over the last decade as a result of the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and the two Mars Rover missions. This book is a systematic summary of what we have learnt about the geological evolution of Mars as a result of these missions. It describes the diverse Martian surface features and summarizes current ideas as to how, when, and under what conditions they formed, and explores how Earth and Mars differ and why the two planets evolved so differently. The author also discusses possible implications of the geologic history for the origin and survival of indigenous Martian life. Up-to-date and highly illustrated, this book will be a principal reference for researchers and graduate students in planetary science. The comprehensive list of references will also assist readers in pursuing further information on the subject. Colour images can be found at www.cambridge.org/9780521872010.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the theory and practical applications of spectroscopic, mineralogical, and geochemical techniques used in planetary remote sensing. It describes state-of-the-art developments in analyzing the chemistry and mineralogy of the surfaces of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.

This definitive guide for advanced students and researchers of meteor science covers all of the central topics, from the physical composition of meteoroids to recent observational and theoretical developments. Emphasizing future avenues of research, this volume will be the standard resource on meteors and meteoroids for many years to come.

Meteorite research is fundamental to our understanding of the origin and early history of the Solar System. This advanced yet succinct introduction to meteorites and many of their properties will be valuable to graduate students and scientists in astrophysics, space research, cosmochemistry, geochemistry, isotope geology and earth and planetary sciences.

An authoritative synthesis of knowledge of the planet Mercury after the MESSENGER mission, providing topical coverage that is balanced, comprehensive and at a level accessible to graduate students and advanced undergraduates. It is the reference against which future observations of Mercury from Earth or spacecraft will be benchmarked.

Up-to-date, highly illustrated, and with a comprehensive list of references, this book describes the diverse Martian surface features, how Earth and Mars differ, and why the two planets evolved so differently. This book will be a principal reference for researchers and graduate students in planetary science.

An overview of state-of-the-art research into properties and possible formation mechanisms of chondrules, by leading cosmochemists and astrophysicists.

A detailed overview of Saturn's formation, evolution and structure, including the latest insights from the Cassini Orbiter mission. Specialised chapters discuss the planet's seasonal variability, polar aurorae, and the Great Storm of 2010-2011. Written by eminent planetary scientists, this is an essential reference for students and researchers.

This multidisciplinary volume presents an authoritative overview of the latest in our understanding of the processes of planet formation. From meteorite observations to orbital dynamics, Planetesimals is the essential reference for those interested in planetary formation, solar system dynamics, exoplanets and planetary habitability.

Understanding of planetary rings continues to grow thanks to ongoing space missions, but few books reconcile this new knowledge. Ideal for graduate students and researchers, this volume explains the basic concepts and draws on exciting new findings to consolidate understanding across the field.

Humanity has long been fascinated by the planet Mars. What is the atmosphere like today and why did it change so dramatically over time? In this book students, researchers and non-specialists alike are guided through a detailed description of the atmosphere and climate of this most Earth-like of planetary neighbours.

A comprehensive introduction to asteroid science, summarising the astronomical and geological characteristics of asteroids. Ideal for students, researchers and professional scientists, this accessible book covers topics including asteroid and meteorite classification, observational techniques, and past, present and future space missions.

The first comprehensive overview of planet formation, this book is a clear introduction and valuable reference for students and researchers in astronomy, cosmochemistry, laboratory astrophysics and planetary sciences. Following the evolution of solids, astronomers, cosmochemists and laboratory astrophysicists jointly discuss the latest insights.

This comprehensive reference examines the physical processes that shape the fascinating atmospheric structure and chemistry, weather, climate, circulation and surface geology of Titan, Saturn's largest moon. The text also surveys leading theories about Titan's origin and evolution, and assesses their implications for understanding the formation of other complex planetary bodies.

Since the last major study published in 1992, this is the first complete review of the compositional and mineralogic properties of Mars. This is an exciting resource for researchers and students in planetary science, astronomy, space exploration, planetary geology, and planetary geochemistry.

Interpretations of the geological processes operating on Mars are based on our knowledge of processes occurring on Earth. This 2007 book presents contributions from leading planetary geologists to demonstrate the parallels and differences between these two planets, and will therefore be a key reference for students and researchers of planetary science.

The first comprehensive overview of planet formation, this book is a clear introduction and valuable reference for students and researchers in astronomy, cosmochemistry, laboratory astrophysics and planetary sciences. Following the evolution of solids, astronomers, cosmochemists and laboratory astrophysicists jointly discuss the latest insights.

This book surveys tectonic landforms on solid bodies throughout the Solar System. It discusses the properties and processes that explain the variety of structures observed, and provides methods for mapping and analysing these features. Illustrated with diagrams and spectacular planetary images, this is an essential reference volume.

Interpretations of the geological processes operating on Mars are based on our knowledge of processes occurring on Earth. This 2007 book presents contributions from leading planetary geologists to demonstrate the parallels and differences between these two planets, and will therefore be a key reference for students and researchers of planetary science.

This comprehensive volume summarizes our understanding of the jovian system, in the light of scientific results from the Galileo spacecraft, the Galileo probe, the Cassini spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope and numerous ground-based and theoretical studies. An invaluable book for researchers and graduate students.

This book surveys tectonic landforms on solid bodies throughout the Solar System. It discusses the properties and processes that explain the variety of structures observed, and provides methods for mapping and analysing these features. Illustrated with diagrams and spectacular planetary images, this is an essential reference volume.