City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

Probing the new solar system, John Wilkinson

eng

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federal national government publication

mapsillustrations

index present

non fiction

Probing the new solar system

bibliography

John Wilkinson

"In the past decade astronomers have discovered many planet-like bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune, in far out regions of the Solar System called the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud. These newly discovered objects have made astronomers re-examine their understanding of the Solar System. Probing the New Solar System explores the recent data and discoveries that have contributed to a changed understanding of the Solar System, in particular the effect that a revised definition of a planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union had on this understanding. Some historical information is given at the start of each chapter to set the context for the chapter. Exploration by space probes has revealed that the Earth's planetary neighbours are even more fascinating than what we previously thought. Today we stand on the threshold of the next phase of planetary exploration and knowledge. Many new space probe missions are currently underway and many more are being planned. Our views of the Solar System and of other planetary systems outside our own are changing on a daily basis. This book is therefore an up to date record of the many recent discoveries made about our Solar System and other planetary systems using ground-based and space probe technology. It has been written for people interested in Astronomy, both professional and amateur, as well as for students and educators."--Provided by publisher