The Planet Mars: A History of Observation & DiscoveryIn this timely and vividly written account, William Sheehan traces human fascination with Mars back to the naked-eye observers of the planet. He recalls the early telescopic observers who first made out enigmatic markings and polar caps on its surface. Through lively historical anecdotes, he describes in detail the debate over the so-called canals of Mars, which encouraged speculation that the planet might be inhabited. Finally, Sheehan describes more recent theories about the planet, leading up to the present, when unmanned spacecraft have enabled us to make giant strides in exploration. Well documented and sparked with human interest, this book will be a useful companion and guide in interpreting the barrage of headlines about Mars that is sure to come over the next few years. Amateurs will appreciate the contributions that have been made to Martian studies by people like themselves, and professionals will find much original material that has never before been published. |
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What people are saying - Write a review
The planet Mars: a history of observation & discovery
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictAlthough two decades have passed since the last spacecraft successfully visited Mars, several missions will be launched in the next year. In this timely volume, Sheehan (Worlds in the Sky, LJ 9/1/92 ... Read full review
The planet Mars: a history of observation & discovery
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictAlthough two decades have passed since the last spacecraft successfully visited Mars, several missions will be launched in the next year. In this timely volume, Sheehan (Worlds in the Sky, LJ 9/1/92 ... Read full review
Contents
Pioneers | 16 |
A Situation Similar to Ours | 31 |
Confirmations and Controversies | 79 |
Lowell | 98 |
How the Eye Interprets | 114 |
Opposition 1909 | 130 |
The Lingering Romance | 146 |
Spacecraft to Mars | 162 |
Vikingsand Beyond | 186 |
The Hurtling Moons of Mars | 204 |
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Common terms and phrases
albedo appeared Archives Astronomical Society Barnard Beer and Madler began bright British Astronomical Association Camille Flammarion canals carbon dioxide Cassini clouds color craters dark areas Dawes diameter discovery disk distance drawings of Mars dust storm E. E. Barnard E. M. Antoniadi Earth Flagstaff Flammarion G. V. Schiaparelli Herschel Huygens Ibid images impact Kepler kilometers lander later Lick Observatory longitude Lowell Observatory Lowell's Mariner 9 markings Mars's Martian atmosphere Martian canals Martian surface Meudon millibars Moon motion night northern observations of Mars orbit Paris patches Percival Lowell perihelic opposition perihelion Phobos photographs pianeta Marte Pickering planetary planete Mars Popular Astronomy reflector refractor region rotation period satellites Schroeter seas seasonal seemed seen Sinus Sabaeus solar Solis Lacus south polar cap southern hemisphere spacecraft spots Syrtis Major telescope temperature Tharsis tion Tycho Venus Viking volcanic water vapor wrote