Mercury
Mercury
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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
SKU:140125
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