The Encyclopedia of the Solar System provides a series of comprehensive and authoritative articles written by more than 50 eminent planetary and space scientists. Each chapter is self-contained yet linked by cross-references to other related chapters. This beautifully designed book is a must for the library of professional astronomers and amateur star-gazers alike, in fact for anyone who wishes to understand the nature of our solar system.

Key Features
* Cross-referenced throughout for easy comprehension
* Superbly illustrated with over 700 photos, drawings, and diagrams, including 36 color plates
* Provides 40 thematically organized chapters by more than 50 eminent contributors
* Convenient glossaries of technical terms introduce each chapter
* Academic Press maintains a web site for the Encyclopedia at www.academicpress.com/solar; Author-recommended web resources for additional information, images, and research developments related to each chapter of this volume, are available here

• Front Cover 2
• Encyclopedia of the Solar System 5
• Copyright Page 6
• Contents 7
• Contributors 11
• Foreword 15
• Preface 17
• Guide to the Encyclopedia 19
• Chapter 1. The Solar System and Its Place in the Galaxy 21
• Chapter 2. The Origin of the Solar System 55
• Chapter 3. The Sun 85
• Chapter 4. The Solar Wind 115
• Chapter 5. Mercury 143
• Chapter 6. Venus: Atmosphere 167
• Chapter 7. Venus: Surface and Interior 181