This book gives a detailed introduction to the thousands and thousands of smaller bodies in the solar system. Written for interested laymen, amateur astronomers and students it describes the nature and origin of asteroids, dwarf planets and comets, and gives detailed information about their role in the solar system. The author nicely reviews the history of small-world-exploration and describes past, current and future space craft missions studying small worlds, and presents their results. Readers will learn that small solar system worlds have a dramatically different nature and appearance than the planets. Even though research activity on small worlds has increased in the recent past many of their properties are still in the dark and need further research.

About the Author
Dr. Michael Moltenbrey is a computer scientist who based his thesis on simulations on high performance computers. As an active amateur astronomer and former President of his local club, he has been giving many lectures on astronomy to the public.

Reviews

"This book presents many of the distinctive parameters for small worlds, especially those that provide distinction from our well known planets. The book's definition and presentation of the parameters is its greatest value. ... From reading it, you will readily see just how much knowledge we've gained of our own backyard in this wide universe." (Mark Mortimer, universetoday.com, November, 2015)

Book Information
ISBN 9783319230023
Author Michael Moltenbrey
Format Paperback
Page Count 273
Imprint Springer International Publishing AG
Publisher Springer International Publishing AG