The Smithsonian Book of Mars (Smithsonian Library of the Solar System)
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
From 1985 to 2000 Joseph Boyce provided scientific leadership to NASA as its Mars exploration program scientist. He has lived much of the history of the planet's exploration, and his findings have helped to determine what we know about Mars today. The Smithsonian Book of Mars is truly a firsthand account.
Boyce draws his clear explanations of Mars's atmosphere, climate, surface, and interior from the monumental findings of the different NASA missions. Beginning with Mariner 4 in 1965 and continuing through the 2001 Mars Odyssey probe, each spacecraft sent to Mars yielded fascinating new discoveries (how did those "canals" come to be?) and occasionally overturned earlier findings--especially when trying to answer NASA's ultimate question, "Are we alone?" The search for life on Mars seemed to be over after the 1976 Viking mission, but in 1997 scientists announced that they had found possible traces of ancient life in the ALH84001 Martian Meteorite, sparking furious debates in scientific journals. That controversy is precisely why Boyce finds Mars so endlessly fascinating--you just never know.
Boyce closes the book with a look at the bright future for additional Mars exploration and outlines the requirements for a manned mission. He spent many hours scouring the NASA archives and has included only the best pictures.
The Smithsonian Book of Mars (Smithsonian Library of the Solar System),Joseph Boyce,Smithsonian Books,1588340740,Astronomy - General,Mars (Planet),Planets,Science,Science/Mathematics,Planets & asteroids,Space travel & exploration
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