The Scientific Exploration Of Mars

Fredric Taylor, Halley Professor of Physics at Oxford, is one of the leaders of the exploration of the planets, and is also known as an excellent writer of both ‘popular’ science and technical research papers. One would expect him to produce a good book about Mars, and he has certainly done so.

There are three very well defined parts. The first deals with early observations of Mars, going back to pre-telescopic times (I have to admit that I have never before heard the suggestion that Tycho Brahe may have been poisoned by Kepler!). The second part sums up what we have found out by our new techniques, and is wide-ranging. In the final section plans for travel to Mars are discussed, ending with an entertaining account of an expedition there, which could happen well before the end of the century. He is confident that this will happen; we must ‘wait and see’.

The text is very clear; there are extensive references. The diagrams are good and the illustrations adequate, though some of the Earth-based images could be improved. An excellent book – but beware! Parts 1 and 3 can be enjoyed by readers with little prior knowledge, but Part 2 is decidedly technical (though non-mathematical), and the beginner will be wise to read some introductory books before picking up this one. Serious students of Mars will find it particularly valuable, and it will no doubt run to many editions.
Patrick Moore is the presenter of The Sky at Night on BBC TV


Patrick Moore is the presenter of The Sky at Night on BBC TV