Review by Choice Review
Beebe (New Mexico State Univ.; NASA) has written a unique, highly detailed, yet readable book on the largest planet. Although intended for general readers, this book is most useful for students studying Jupiter or its moons. Beebe begins with a historical perspective of the journey of discovery, from the ancient Greeks to the Voyager space probe, and continues with a detailed discussion of Jupiter's structure, composition, and moon system. She adds a personal flavor to the book, describing her own research projects connected with Jupiter. The book concludes with a discussion of the impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9; however, the book was written before the actual collision and, although a few pictures of the collision aftermath were added while the book was in press, there is no discussion of what was learned from the collision. (This could be added in later editions.) Novice readers may be put off by the lack of a glossary of scientific terms. Recommended. General; undergraduate through faculty. K. Larsen; Central Connecticut State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Astronomy professor Beebe has worked for NASA during all six Voyager encounters and as part of the Hubble Space Telescope team. Now, in her first book, she shares her extensive knowledge about the great planet Jupiter. 318 times as massive as the earth, and surrounded by 16 moons and equatorial rings of debris, Jupiter can be studied as the center of a miniature solar system, a perspective that enables scientists to understand our galaxy's past and attempt to predict its future. As Beebe describes all the wonders of the Jovian system, from the Great Red Spot to the gas-giant's weather systems, sunlike properties, and the orbits of its varied satellites, her delight in its complexity enlivens and invigorates her meticulous explanations. Beebe begins with an overview of humankind's fascination with Jupiter, from mythology to Galileo's revelatory scrutiny through the lens of the first perfected telescope, and on to the tremendously exciting successes of the Pioneer and Voyager missions. She then tackles the components of the Jovian system by first explaining its atmosphere and the planet's interior, then the discoveries associated with its satellites and rings, and finally, its magnetic field. After the summer bombardment by the Shoemaker-Levy comet, Jupiter will be of more interest than ever. ~--Donna Seaman
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
