Author:
Sheehan, William, 1954- author.
ImprintLondon, UK : Reaktion Books, Ltd., 2018.
Imprint2018
Description183 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 23 cm.
Note:The scintillating one -- Motions of Mercury -- Through the telescope -- Rotation -- Mercury up close -- Vulcan -- Appendix I : Glossary -- Appendix II : Basic data -- Appendix III : Craters.
Bibliography Note:Includes bibliographical references (pages 165-173) and index.
Note:"The last of the five naked-eye planets discovered in ancient times, Mercury has long been an elusive, enigmatic world. As seen from the Earth, it never emerges far from the Sun, and astronomers in the telescopic era found it challenging to work out basic data such as its rotation period, the inclination of its axis, and whether or not it possessed an atmosphere. In this up-to-date and beautifully illustrated volume, William Sheehan brings our understanding of the planet into clear focus. He deftly traces the history, from the earilest observations right up to the most recent explorations using radar and spacecraft. The planet has been surveyed in great detail, revealing vast volcanic plains, water-ice deposits in craters near the poles, and a remarkable core having the highest iron content of any body of the solar system. A fascinating world in its own right, Mercury also holds important clues for scientists attempting to better understand the origin and evolution of the Earth."--Dust jacket.
