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Mercury is one of the more difficult objects for amateur astronomers to observe because of its close proximity to the Sun. For the same reason, it is also one of the most fascinating and strange planets. Mercury is not much larger that our Moon, but orbits the Sun at an average distance of only 58 million km, compared to the Earth's 150 million km. On its sunlit side, Mercury's surface temperature can exceed 450C while the night side freezes at -180C.
Amateur astronomers can see Mercury and its ever-changing phases all year, and sometimes watch it transit the Sun - the next transit is in November 2006, followed by one in May 2016.
In his inimitable, easy-going style, Patrick Moore describes Mercury, the professional astronomers who have observed it over the centuries, amateur observations, and the past, present and future space missions to this extraordinary world.
List of contents
Lift-off.- Elusive Planet.- "Messenger of the Gods".- Mercury in the Solar System.- Crossing the Sun.- Ghost Planet.- Through the Telescope.- Mapping Mercury.- Mariner 10.- Cratered World.- Around Mercury.- Return to Mercury.- Life on Mercury?.- A Trip to Mercury.- Mercurian Base.
Summary
Mercury is one of the more difficult objects for amateur astronomers to observe because of its close proximity to the Sun. For the same reason, it is also one of the most fascinating and strange planets. Mercury is not much larger that our Moon, but orbits the Sun at an average distance of only 58 million km, compared to the Earth’s 150 million km. On its sunlit side, Mercury’s surface temperature can exceed 450C while the night side freezes at –180C.
Amateur astronomers can see Mercury and its ever-changing phases all year, and sometimes watch it transit the Sun – the next transit is in November 2006, followed by one in May 2016.
In his inimitable, easy-going style, Patrick Moore describes Mercury, the professional astronomers who have observed it over the centuries, amateur observations, and the past, present and future space missions to this extraordinary world.
Additional text
From the reviews:
"Because it is never very far from the sun in our sky, Mercury is one of the least studied planets, by amateurs or professionals. Astronomer Moore’s compact book … provides a concise summary of some of mercury’s unique properties. … The book summarizes that mission and offers a mini-atlas of the planet’s surface and a short prospectus for the Mercury Messenger mission on its way now. … General readers; lower-division undergraduates; two-year technical program students." (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 45 (1), 2007)
"Moore on Mercury provides the reader with a concise summary of all things Mercurian on the eve of this historic encounter. … it provides an excellent introduction to the planet, and the author does a fine job of placing our study of this world in its proper historical context." (Brendan K Ward, Astronomy and Space, May, 2007)
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From the reviews:
"Because it is never very far from the sun in our sky, Mercury is one of the least studied planets, by amateurs or professionals. Astronomer Moore's compact book ... provides a concise summary of some of mercury's unique properties. ... The book summarizes that mission and offers a mini-atlas of the planet's surface and a short prospectus for the Mercury Messenger mission on its way now. ... General readers; lower-division undergraduates; two-year technical program students." (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 45 (1), 2007)
"Moore on Mercury provides the reader with a concise summary of all things Mercurian on the eve of this historic encounter. ... it provides an excellent introduction to the planet, and the author does a fine job of placing our study of this world in its proper historical context." (Brendan K Ward, Astronomy and Space, May, 2007)
