Mercury

Mercury by William Sheehan

Unveil the secrets of the solar system’s smallest and swiftest planet with Mercury, an insightful and beautifully illustrated volume from the acclaimed Kosmos series. Written by esteemed historian of astronomy William Sheehan, this book brings one of the most elusive celestial bodies into sharp focus, tracing its journey from a "scintillating" ancient enigma to a complex world revealed by modern spacecraft.

Product Highlights

The "Elusive" Planet: Explores why Mercury—the last of the five naked-eye planets discovered in antiquity—remained a mystery for so long due to its extreme proximity to the Sun

Historical Path of Discovery: Deftly traces the evolution of our knowledge, from the early telescopic observations and Johannes Kepler’s 17th-century transit predictions to the radar studies of the 1960s

Modern Space Missions: Features breathtaking data and imagery from pivotal missions, including the first fly-bys of Mariner 10 in the 1970s and the comprehensive mapping by the MESSENGER orbital mission (2011–2015)

Geological Revelations: Provides a detailed look at the planet's battered surface, revealing vast volcanic plains, water-ice deposits hidden in polar craters, and its remarkably massive, iron-rich core

The Mystery of Vulcan: Concludes with a fascinating history of Vulcan, the hypothetical "inner-Mercury" planet that 19th-century astronomers once believed existed to explain Mercury’s eccentric orbit

Why It’s a Stellar Addition

As a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society with an asteroid named in his honour (16037 Sheehan), William Sheehan crafts a narrative that is both scientifically rigorous and accessible to the general reader. Lavishly illustrated with 99 illustrations (40 in colour), this book is widely regarded as the best modern introduction to Mercury.

Technical Specifications

Author: William Sheehan

Publisher: Reaktion Books

Series: Kosmos

Format: Hardcover

Page Count: 183 pages