Mission to Saturn : Cassini and the Huygens probe /

Here in five chapters is a chronology that covers the pre-space-probe era (antiquity to 1981), the current space-probe era (1981 to the present), and plans for future probes. Harland (space historian, UK) exhibits an extraordinary grasp of the subject matter and a remarkable ability to convey that understanding to the reader. The text flows in a well-presented, easy way, showing how discoveries in the past blended into those of the present. Especially notable are descriptions of the upcoming Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its associated probe of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, due to rendezvous with the ringed planet in 2004. In addition to a beautiful set of maps, Harland provides an excellent description of the interactions among astronomers of different nations who used the results of others as stepping-stones to their own discoveries. The book contains many figures and 21 pages of notes, nine pages of facts and figures on Saturn, its rings, and moons, four pages of suggested future reading, and a good 12-page index. Highly recommended for readers who are interested in the chronology of exploration of the second largest planet in our solar system. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates through professionals. W. E. Howard III formerly, Universities Space Research Association