Planetary Geoscience

by Harry Y. McSween Jr., Jeffrey E. Moersch, Devon M. Burr

For many years, planetary science has been taught as part of the astronomy curriculum, from a very physics-based perspective, and from the framework of a tour of the Solar System - body by body. Over the past decades, however, spacecraft exploration and related laboratory research on extraterrestrial materials have given us a new understanding of planets and how they are shaped by geological processes. Based on a course taught at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, this is the first textbook to focus on geologic processes, adopting a comparative approach that demonstrates the similarities and differences between planets, and the reasons for these. Profusely illustrated, and with a wealth of pedagogical features, this book provides an ideal capstone course for geoscience majors - bringing together aspects of mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, volcanology, sedimentology, geomorphology, tectonics, geophysics and remote sensing.

Genres: Planetary Science, Science

350 pages, Hardcover

Published August 22, 2019

Reviews

[Jorgon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the current state of planetary science, from a mostly geological angle (as the title indicates). Lots of fun, and about as good as it gets--for those who are into this sort of thing. :)