Dimensions
135 x 228 x 28mm
Two events will make the winter of 2003 a remarkable one for amateur astronomers. By late August, Mars will come within 34 million miles of Earth, appearing six times larger and shining 85 times brighter than usual.
Conceived and created like a real Baedecker travel guide - factual, accessible, heavily illustrated, in a carry-around size - this book brings together all the astonishing information scientists have recently learned about Mars, and conveys it in the engaging, lively style that made Dr William K Hartmann the first-ever winner of the Carl Sagan Medal for public communication of planetary science.
Taken around the planet like tourists, readers will discover mysterious dry riverbeds, the largest volcano in the solar system (three times higher than Mount Everest), a possible ancient sea floor, giant impact craters, "the face on Mars", and other wonders.
Throughout is an extraordinary selection of photographs, maps and paintings, including images from "Mariner 9" and the "Viking" explorations, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the ongoing Mars Global Surveyer mission.
Four gatefolds show the latest topographic maps of the entire Martian surface. Sidebars advice readers on what to wear and landing procedures. In addition, Hartmann's 'My Martian Chronicles' spotlights his life and times as a planetary scientist.
