Free US delivery on orders $35 or over
You must sign in to add this item to your wishlist. Please sign in or create an account
Everything you ever wanted to know about the red planet revealed in an up-close and personal tour of Mars
Mars is ingrained in our culture, from David Bowie's extra-terrestrial spiders to H.G. Wells's The War of the Worlds. The red planet has inspired hundreds of scientists, authors and filmmakers - but why? What is it about this particular planet that makes it so intriguing?
Ancient mythologies defined Mars as a violent harbinger of war, and astrologers found meaning in the planet's dance through the sky. Stargazers puzzled over Mars's unfamiliar properties; some claimed to see canals criss-crossing its surface, while images from early spacecraft showed startling faces and pyramids carved out of rusty rock. Did Martians exist? If so, were they intelligent, civilised beings?
We now have a better understanding of Mars: its red hue, small moons, atmosphere (or lack of it), and mysterious past. Robots have trundled across the planet's surface, beaming back astonishing views of the alien landscape and seeking clues on how it has evolved. While little green Martians are now firmly the preserve of literature, evidence is growing that the now arid, frozen planet was once warmer, wetter, and possibly thronging with microbial life. Soon, we may set foot on the planet. What challenges are involved, and how are we preparing for them? Is there a future for humanity on Mars?
In 4th Rock from the Sun, Nicky Jenner reviews Mars in its entirety, exploring its nature, attributes, potential as a human colony and impact on 3rd Rock-culture - everything you need to know about the Red Planet.
Published | Apr 06 2017 |
---|---|
Format | Ebook (Epub & Mobi) |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 288 |
ISBN | 9781472922519 |
Imprint | Bloomsbury Sigma |
Illustrations | 8-page colour plate section |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
It'll satisfy readers with factoids aplenty and even teach space nerds something new.
Publishers Weekly
Readers can launch into any section and discover something new and fascinating about our celestial neighbor. With several missions to Mars in the works and the Curiosity rover wheeling around it as we speak, digestible works like this will find a wide audience. Earthlings who dream of Martian colonies or are simply interested in the next frontier of exploration will learn a lot from Jenner's title.
Chad Comello, Library Journal
An up-to-date and engaging overview for space buffs, sf fans, and anyone interested in separating the facts from the fiction.
Carl Hays, Booklist
Nicky Jenner mounts a compelling case . . . [4th Rock from the Sun] serves to inspire the reader to root for this next potential milestone in human history.
Charlotte Götz, Science
This book is available on Bloomsbury Collections where your library has access.
Your School account is not valid for the United States site. You have been logged out of your account.
You are on the United States site. Would you like to go to the United States site?
Error message.