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This revised and updated second edition provides a
complete snapshot of our current knowledge on the geological features
on solid-surface Solar System bodies. They extend over a wide range
of scales, from micrometers to global scales, and include landform
types (structural or topographic features), parts of landforms, terrain
types and surface textures, surface patterns, and features identified at
wavelengths extending from visible to radio waves, including albedo
features, thermal infrared features, and radar features. The extensive new
content addresses findings from the Messenger, Cassini, New Horizons,
Curiosity and Maven missions and provides information on at least ten new
landform types, as well as articles on exoplanet landforms. Refinements in
methods and formations theories are also covered.
Today scientists have a huge set of images and
other physical data which makes it possible to create models on the inner
structure and thermal history of planetary bodies. Combined data sets lead to
better supported models on the formation of surface features. These models
give reliable explanations for the origin of planetary landforms. New, higher
resolution images reveal new sets of meso- and microscale landforms, while
images from previously not imaged dwarf planets, satellites, asteroids and
cometary nuclei show landforms never seen before. In the future exoplanets are
expected to continue to provide brand new types
of relief features not predictable by our Earth-and Solar System bound
imagination.
There are so many different landforms on planetary
surfaces that it is nearly impossible for anybody to overview all of them who
does not work exactly with that certain feature type. The Encyclopedia helps
with presenting the landforms in searchable, alphabetical order. The book
contains more than a simple list of various features: it provides context and
connections between them and point to their origin. For example sand dunes were
found on Venus, Mars and Titan, fluvial valleys and shorelines are present
on Mars and Titan, impact craters have many different types - all are presented
and explained here. Beyond the texts, references, schematic figures, images and
planetary maps accompany the description of landforms, providing a wide
background for detailed analyses even for geomorphologists working in planetary
science. This book helps the reader discover the great variety of planetary
landforms. Its continual updating makes it the go-to reference in the field.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Planetary Landforms.- Maps Section.
