FROM THE PUBLISHER
Two events will make the summer of 2003 a remarkable one for amateur astronomers. By late August, Mars will come within 34 million miles of Earth, appearing six times larger and shining 85 times brighter than usual-"the most striking and spectacular Mars apparition in tens of thousands of years" (
The New York Times). And William K. Hartmann, co-author of
The Grand Tour,
Out of the Cradle, and
The History of Earth, is publishing A
TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO MARS.
Conceived and created like a real Baedecker-factual, accessible, heavily illustrated, in a carry-around size-A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO MARS brings together all the astonishing information scientists have recently learned about Mars, and conveys it in the engaging, lively style that made Dr. Hartmann the first-ever winner of the Carl Sagan Medal for public communication of planetary science. Taken around the planet like tourists, readers will discover mysterious dry riverbeds, the largest volcano in the solar system (three times higher than Mount Everest), a possible ancient sea floor, giant impact craters, "the face on Mars," and other wonders.
Throughout is an extraordinary selection of photographs, maps, and paintings, including images from Mariner 9 and the Viking explorations, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the ongoing Mars Global Surveyor mission. Four gatefolds show the latest topographic maps of the entire Martian surface. Sidebars advise readers on what to wear and landing procedures. In addition, Hartmann's "My Martian Chronicles" spotlight his life and times as a planetary scientist.
