Venus

(Hardback)

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Description

This new and beautifully illustrated account of Venus takes in the most recent research into this mysterious, inhospitable world. Looking at the history of our observations of the planet, from early astronomy to future space missions, it seeks to answer many of the questions that remain unanswered, such as why Venus and Earth, so similar in size and mass, evolved in such different directions, and how Venus acquired its dense carbon-dioxide atmosphere. Above all, it assesses whether life might have escaped from the oven-like temperatures at the surface and evolved to become perpetually airborne in which case Venus may not be lifeless after all.

Reviews

"A broad-ranging and richly illustrated account of what and how we have come to know of this remarkable world. From the earliest naked eye and telescopic observations, to the recent suggestion of potential life in the planet's cloud decks, Venus chronicles the key developments in our understanding of the Earth's sister planet, and explores how Earth and Venus have so much in common yet have evolved to become such contrasting objects. The writing is evocative and full of fascinating detail, with Sheehan's expertise in the history of astronomy shining through continuously. With a dedicated chapter on potential life on Venus, the book includes the most up-to-date science on the topic, and will be a valuable reference for anyone interested in this alluring planet and its place in our history and imagination."-- "Nature Astronomy"
"Venus is well-written and illustrations of Venus from ancient times to the modern day make this visually appealing. The authors cover a huge amount of science. . . . It's a worthy addition to Reaktion's science Kosmos series."-- "BBC Sky at Night Magazine"
"A comprehensive introduction to historical and current research into Venus, as well as its representations in popular culture. . . . The book also reveals that confirmation bias is a recurring feature in Venusian research, and that expecting it to be Earthlike is a mistake--its differences outweigh its similarities. To consider the planet only in comparison to Earth is, Sheehan and Limaye insist, 'one of the most hubristic efforts in the history of science.' They counsel humility in the face of Venus's ongoing mysteries. Venus is a passionate and thorough planetary primer for armchair stargazers."-- "Foreword Reviews"
"Sheehan and Limaye's timely book Venus is an enjoyable, easy-to-read review of everything related to our planetary neighbor. It is packed with facts and stories through history, from ancient times to today's latest discoveries from spacecraft and modern telescopes. With the many new missions to appear in the late 2020s and early 2030s, this book provides a solid background and will be enjoyed equally well by scientists and the interested public."--Hkan Svedhem, Venus Express Project Scientist, European Space Agency

Author Bio

William Sheehan is a noted historian of astronomy, writer and retired psychiatrist. He has written 20 books including Jupiter (with Thomas Hockey), Mercury and Saturn for Reaktion Books. He lives in Arizona, and asteroid 16037 is named Sheehan in his honour. Sanjay Shridhar Limaye is based at the University of Wisconsin and has investigated the Venusian atmosphere with Pioneer Venus, Venus Express and Akatsuki missions.