Jupiter is the grandest of all planets. It is by far the largest planet in the solar system and among the brightest objects in the night sky, and its calming presence has inspired humans for centuries. Jupiter was the `beloved star' of the ancient Sumerians and Babylonians, the first serious observers of the planets, and the Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft visited it in the 1970s. Now it is being scrutinised as never before by NASA's Juno spacecraft, as experts begin to have a comprehensive view of the origin, composition, and structure of this giant gas world.
This beautifully illustrated volume ranges across the entire history of Jupiter studies, from the naked-eye observations of the Babylonians and the Greeks, through the telescopic discoveries of Galileo and T.E.R. Phillips, to the explosion of information received from space probes. It brings our understanding of Jupiter right up to date and includes preliminary findings from the Juno space probe, while also providing valuable practical information for those who wish to make their own observations of the planet.
Introducing planetary science in an accessible and engaging way, Jupiter will appeal to those who wish to have a better understanding of this magnificent planet and its unique place in the solar system.
About the Authors
William Sheehan is a noted historian of astronomy, writer and retired psychiatrist. He has written 20 books including Jupiter (with Thomas Hockey), Mercury and Saturn for Reaktion Books. He lives in Arizona, and asteroid 16037 is named Sheehan in his honour.
Thomas Hockey is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Northern Iowa. He has written six previous books, including Galileo's Planet (1999) and asteroid 25153 is named Tomhockey in his honour.
Industry Reviews
'In this superbly researched and illustrated guide to the giant planet, the authors have trawled through centuries of humanity's archives for documentation of Jupiter, looking for engaging ways to explain what astronomers know about the planet, and how they found out...The illustrations are exceptional, reproducing one archive gem after another...Reading this comprehensive primer on Jupiter and on planetary astronomy itself is as enlightening as it is thoroughly enjoyable.' - BBC Sky at Night Magazine
'The gas giant planet Jupiter, with its red spot and ever-changing meteorology, has fascinated human curiosity since as far back as records exist thousands of years ago. Sheehan and Hockey add to the Kosmos series of books exploring our Solar System and beyond by looking not only at the historical and cultural context of Jupiter's continued significance but also by exploring its parts, from its atmosphere and weather patterns, to its rings and moons. They present the knowledge accumulated from the earliest observations by Galileo to the Juno mission's latest discoveries.' - Nature Astronomy
