Natural Satellites

For centuries, astronomers have placed a special interest on the other planets of the solar system. But with the advent of spacecraft and the tremendous missions undertaken by the Voyager and Cassini probes, astronomers have discovered that the natural satellites of the planets—the solar system's moons—are some of the most extraordinary places imaginable. There are moons with towering geysers, erupting volcanoes, and subterranean oceans of warm, mineral-rich water. Some of the highest mountains and deepest canyons can be found on the moons. There are moons that have shattered into pieces and then reassembled. There is even a moon where it rains rocket fuel. Recently, scientists have turned to the moons for answers in their investigations of the origins of the solar system and the evolution of life on our own planet. Featuring full-color, scientifically accurate illustrations by NASA artist Ron Miller, Natural Satellites: The Book of Moons chronicles these investigations and the questions we have yet to answer in our exploration of the solar system's moons.

The Dynamics of Natural Satellites of the Planets is an accessible reference for understanding the celestial mechanics of planetary moons through the lens of both theory and observation. Based on decades of research by the author, the book utilizes state-of-the-art observations of the natural satellites in the solar system to establish models, measurements and calculations to better understand the theory of the satellite movement and dynamics. It presents an extensive set of study methods and results on the motion of natural satellites of the planets and includes reviews and references to related publication for further explanation. By relating observations to numerical theory, the book serves as a quick and comprehensive reference for applying the theory of orbital dynamics to observational data on orbits and physical properties of the natural satellites in order to formulate state-of-the-art explanations and models, particularly for determining the parameters of satellite motion. Combines astronomy and celestial mechanics, providing astrometric data from observations to inform methods and models for predicting natural satellite dynamics Includes both theory and observation in one place and presents new models based on observations Organized into small sections, each providing specific measurements, calculations or models, making it a quick and comprehensive reference

In this important source book on natural satellites, thirty-four distinguished contributors from various fields of satellite astronomy offer a thorough examination of Orbits and Dynamical Evolution.

This useful resource deals with satellite orbits, showing how the wide range of available orbits can be used in communications, positioning, remote-sensing, meteorology, and astronomy.

"This is the 12th book in the University of Arizona Space Science Series, a burgeoning library destined to stand as the consummate literary legacy of our era's revolution in Solar System exploration. . . . Satellite science has matured rapidly since its rebirth in March 1979, and its vitality radiates from the pages of this fine volume."ÑIcarus

The book begins with a historical review of four major theories for the origin of the Solar System in particular, or of planets in general, which highlight the major problems that need to be solved by any plausible theory. In many theories, including that which form the major theme of this book, the formation of planets and stars is intimately linked, so four chapters are devoted to the processes that can be described as the birth, life and death of stars. Recent observations that have revealed the existence of planets around many Sun-like stars are described in detail, followed by a clear exposition of the Capture Theory for the origin of planets. Many aspects of this theory are illustrated with sophisticated computer modelling that convincingly demonstrates the plausibility of the theory. The Capture Theory is in complete accord with all observations, including the estimate it gives for the proportion of Sun-like stars with planets. It is the only theory that sits comfortably with all present observational and theoretical constraints. The general theory of planet formation does not explain the detailed structure of the Solar System. An early postulated collision of two major planets is shown to explain many disparate features of the Solar System — the nature of the terrestrial planets, surface features of the Moon and its relationship with Earth, asteroids, comets and dwarf planets, the relationship between Neptune, Triton and Pluto and the characteristics of meteorites, including the isotopic anomalies found in them. The postulate of a planetary collision is given support by a 2009 NASA observation of the residue of such an event around a distant young star. Contents:Observations of StarsProducing Protostars — Embryonic StarsThe Life and Death of a StarThe Evolution of a Galactic ClusterExoplanets — Planets Around Other StarsThe Formation of Planets: The Capture TheoryOrbital EvolutionThe Frequency of Planetary SystemsSatellite FormationFeatures of the Solar SystemInteractions Between PlanetsThe MoonMars and MercuryNeptune, Triton and PlutoDwarf Planets, Asteroids, Comets and the Kuiper BeltMeteorites: Their Physical and Chemical PropertiesIsotopic Anomalies in MeteoritesOverview and Conclusions Readership: Undergraduates to researchers and also of general interest. Keywords:Planets: Solar SystemKey Features:There are no competing titlesThe structure of the book, with main chapters and appendices, should make it accessible and of interest to readers of different backgroundsThe theory it deals with is described in fine detail — a model of presentation inspired by On The Origin of SpeciesReviews:“The first quarter of the presentation is a masterful summary of the history of the speculation about the origin of the sun and planets, a description of the properties of stars and star clusters, and an introduction to the exciting and developing field of exoplanets, objects that orbit distant stars … The presentation is primarily qualitative, with the supporting physical principles usefully relegated to an extensive suite of appendixes … the level is suitable for the advanced undergraduate.”CHOICE “This book describes the history and the problem of planetary formation question in more complete and attractive detail. In an unusual but excellent feature, the basic physics needed at each stage is broken out into a long series of appendices, 39 in all.”Contemporary Physics

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