Solar system update /

Editors Blondel (Univ. of Bath) and Mason (past president, British Astronomical Association) compiled 12 topical reviews written by experts, covering important aspects of solar system science. Each review touches briefly on past observations and theories before tackling a major problem. For example, a chapter on evidence for climate change on Mars uses Martian data and images to describe attempts to model climate changes, and describes future space missions that may solve the questions that the models raise. A chapter on Jupiter-sized planets compares our solar system to discoveries of extrasolar planets and planet detection methods. Other chapters consider future research on space weather, Mercury and the planned MESSENGER 2008 flyby, Venus's atmosphere, the habitability of Mars, first results of the Cassini mission to Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, Kuiper Belt objects such as Pluto, and comets. The chapter on the moon offers alternative explanations for its origin and evolution. All chapters have extensive references. This technical book assumes a solid background in astronomy and interpretation of data, but there are few equations. The illustrations are excellent. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. M.-K. Hemenway University of Texas at Austin