Overview
No other planet has so fired the human imagination as Mars. The possibility of life on the planet was an obsession in the 19th century. It is not surprising to find that it has become so once again, because of all the planets in the solar system (apart from Earth), Mars has always been regarded as the most likely to serve as the abode of life. Now that there are hints that the planet may have held 'liquid water' (a prerequisite for life, in contrast to the frozen water of the ice caps) much more recently than anyone had supposed, excitement over Mars exploration has never been higher. In this engaging, eloquent account of our love affair with the Red Planet, William Sheehan and Stephen James O'Meara review the history of human fascination with our neighbor in the solar system, and look at the prospects for manned space-flight to Mars in this new century. The authors portray the history of Mars investigations through the eyes of the dreamers and achievers that have made the planet such an integral part of the human psyche. They reveal the discoverers' hardships, their strength in the face of criticisms, and the glories of their successes. What Everest and the moon were to the 20th century, Mars will be to the 21st. Mars is our Everest, a new frontier that will continue to spur the greatest flights of imagination and the most astounding technical feats. Projects are already underway to make these dreams a reality. This book will prepare you and fill you with enthusiasm for the adventure ahead.
Full Product Details
Author: William Sheehan ,
Stephen James O'Meara
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Imprint: Prometheus Books
Dimensions:
Width: 15.20cm
, Height: 1.30cm
, Length: 22.90cm
Weight: 0.454kg
ISBN: 9781573929004
ISBN 10: 157392900
Pages: 106
Publication Date: 01 April 2001
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Out of stock
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.
Reviews
An informative overview of sky watchers' enduring fascination with Mars. -- Booklist A tremendously readable and engaging history of why Mars has thrilled humanity for 200 years and why the latest discoveries make it more exciting than ever. -- William K Hartman, Mars Global Surveying Imaging Team
""An informative overview of sky watchers' enduring fascination with Mars."" -- Booklist ""A tremendously readable and engaging history of why Mars has thrilled humanity for 200 years and why the latest discoveries make it more exciting than ever.""-- William K Hartman, Mars Global Surveying Imaging Team
Author Information
William Sheehan (Willmar, MN) is author of The Planet Mars and the co-author of In Search of Planet Vulcan. Stephen James O'Meara (Volcano, HI) is the author of the Deep-Sky Companions series. Both Sheehan and O'Meara are contributing editors to Sky & Telescope and Odyssey magazines.
