Drifting on alien winds: exploring the skies and weather of other worlds

Ever since the Montgolfier's hot air balloon carried a chicken, a goat, and aduck into the Parisian skies, scientists have dreamed of contraptions to explore the atmosphere. With the advent of the space age, new airborne inventions were needed. From the Soviet Venus balloons to the advanced studies of blimps and airplanes for the atmospheres of Mars and Titan, Drifting on Alien Winds surveys the many creative and often wacky ideas for exploring alien skies. Through historical photographs and stunning original paintings by the author, readers also explore the weather on planets and moons, from the simmering acid-laden winds of Venus to liquid methane-soaked skies of Titan. Provides an overview of the science of planetary atmospheres and weather patterns of other planets and moons in our Solar System and how we learn about them. Written in an engaging journalistic style, which includes interviews with important scientists in the field. Richly illustrated, including original artwork by the author, whose paintings have been highly prized. INDICE: Preface: Something in the Air. Part I: Starting Here and Getting There. Chapter 1: The Sky at Home. Chapter 2: What It Really Takes to Explore Alien Skies. Chapter 3: Studies on the Fly. Chapter 4: Studying the Weather from the Inside. Part II: The Forecast - Clearing, with Scattered Ammonia Showersby Morning. Chapter 5: Venus. Chapter 6: Mars. Chapter 7: Jupiter. Chapter 8:Saturn and Titan. Chapter 9: Uranus, Neptune, and Triton. Part III: Future Explorers. Chapter 10: Future Ballons, Aircraft, and Upcoming Missions. Chapter 11: To Venture on Wilder Seas. Glossary. Chapter Notes. Tables. Index.

• ISBN: 978-1-4419-6916-3
• Editorial: Springer New York
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 211
• Fecha Publicación: 29/03/2011
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés