{"product_id":"the-planet-mars-william-sheehan-9780816516414","title":"The Planet Mars: A History of Observation and Discovery","description":"Twenty years after the Viking missions of the '70s, we are finally going back to Mars. No fewer than ten missions are planned for the period between 1996 and 2003, and it is likely that human explorers will follow soon after--perhaps by the middle of the twenty-first century. When they do, they will owe much to the Mars of romance, to the early pioneers whose discoveries and disappointments are brought to life in \u003ci\u003eThe Planet Mars: A History of Observation and Discovery\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In this timely and vividly written account, William Sheehan traces human fascination with Mars back to the naked-eye observers of the planet. He recalls the early telescopic observers who first made out enigmatic markings and polar caps on its surface. Through lively historical anecdotes, he describes in detail the debate over the so-called canals of Mars, which encouraged speculation that the planet might be inhabited. Finally, Sheehan describes more recent theories about the planet, leading up to the present, when unmanned spacecraft have enabled us to make giant strides in exploration. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Well documented and sparked with human interest, this book will be a useful companion and guide in interpreting the barrage of headlines about Mars that is sure to come over the next few years. Amateurs will appreciate the contributions that have been made to Martian studies by people like themselves, and professionals will find much original material that has never before been published. The American Mars Global Surveyor is scheduled for launch in November 1996, and soon after the American Mars Pathfinder will make its way toward the red planet. A Russian mission consisting of an orbiter and two landers will be launched in October 1997. These space travelers will write a whole new chapter in the dramatic story of Mars, a planet whose exploration has only just begun. Astronomy Book Club main selection and selections of Book-of-the-Month Club and Quality Paperback Book Club.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e William Sheehan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0816516413\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780816516414\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e University of Arizona Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/01\/1996\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 270\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.10lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.13h x 5.59w x 0.80d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/01\/1996 pg. 48\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/09\/1996 pg. 79\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/01\/1996 pg. 664\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/26\/1997 pg. 19\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/01\/1996","brand":"William Sheehan","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48086941270271,"sku":"9780816516414","price":21.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_8743044d-dfc3-4c1c-8fd6-66c187e67c20.jpg?v=1769097412","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-planet-mars-william-sheehan-9780816516414","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}