Solar System in Close-Up

Dr. John Wilkinson is an experienced science author having recently written  “The Moon in Close-up” (Springer 2010),  and “New eyes on the Sun” (Springer 2012) and 100+ science textbooks published for Australian schools.  Science textbooks have been published by Macmillan Australia and Oxford University Press (Australia). John is a science educator and former university lecturer in Physics and Science Education, 30 years as a secondary science teacher.  He writes regular Astronomy articles for Australian Science Teachers Journal, Lab Talk, and Australian Astronomy magazines. John completed his Masters degree and PhD in science education at LaTrobe University, Melbourne. He has research interests in science education and astronomy.

• The new solar system.- Space probes and telescopes.- The dominant Sun.- Mercury – the messenger.- Venus – the bright goddess.- Earth – the planet of life.- Mars – the red planet.- The Asteroids - a belt of rocks.- Jupiter – king of the planets.- Saturn – the planet of rings.- Uranus –  the blue planet.- Neptune – a cold world.- Trans–Neptunian Objects.- Comets.

"Each chapter begins with bullet points of chapter highlights, followed by copious detail on the subjects ... many excellent images, some tables, and useful diagrams. ... All references are web links (mostly to NASA). Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates, general readers." (M.-K. Hemenway, Choice, Vol. 54 (4), December, 2016)