Solar System Moons: Discovery and Mythology

by Jïrgen Blunck

Overview

Starting from Mars outward this concise handbook provides thorough information on the satellites of the planets in the solar system. Each chapter begins with a section on the discovery and the naming of the planet’s satellites or rings. This is followed by a section presenting the historic sources of those names. The book contains tables with the orbital and physical parameters of all satellites and is illustrated throughout with modern photos of the planets and their moons as well as historical and mythological drawings. The Cyrillic transcriptions of the satellite names are provided in a register.

Readers interested in the history of astronomy and its mythological backgrounds will enjoy this beautiful volume.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642448423
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	11/24/2014
Edition description:	2010
Pages:	142
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

The Satellites and Rings of the Planets.- The Satellites of Mars.- The Satellites of Jupiter.- The Satellites of Saturn.- The Satellites of Uranus.- The Satellites of Neptune.- The Satellites of the Dwarf Planets.- The Satellites of Pluto.- The Satellite of Eris.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews: “This work primarily concerns itself with the discovery and subsequent naming of our current tally of planetary satellites; a tally incessantly growing. … the book practically doubles as a literary study of myths and legends. … This book immediately becomes an essential reference work on the Solar System and a fitting memorial to its author.” (Steve Ringwood, Astronomy Now, April, 2010) “Book by historian Jurgen Blunck (1935-2008) beautifully sets essential facts about the discovery of Solar System moons and planetary rings in proper historical and mythological context. It is a worthy successor to such works as his highly accurate and comprehensive study of the history … . There is much useful information, and Solar System Moons is a volume that can be dipped into at random or read in its entirety. … I do urge librarians to obtain it given its accuracy and its comprehensive nature.” (Richard McKim, The Observatory, Vol. 130 (1215), April, 2010)

From the Publisher