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Reviews
Tracking down rocks in space
We live on a dynamic Earth, where we are subjected to volcanic eruptions, trop-
ical storms, earthquakes and more. But of all the natural disasters that can affect
us, only an impact by a large comet or asteroid – a Near-Earth Object (NEO) – has
the potential to change all of civilisation forever. Near-Earth Objects: Finding
Them Before They Find Us introduces readers to NEOs, the potentially
hazardous objects that could provide an insight into the origin of the Solar
System and also serve as stepping stones for space exploration.
Our Solar System is populated by millions of comets and asteroids. Many
of these pass close to Earth in the course of their journey around the Sun. This
book provides a reader-friendly and up-to-date guide for understanding the
threats posed by NEOs. But just as they can destroy all around them, collisions
during Earth’s early history also delivered ingredients that might have led to the
origin of life. The impacts also boosted evolution, ensuring that only the fittest
survived.
The reality of what an impact may mean for us for centuries to come moti-
vates scientists to track these objects down. This book takes the reader behind
the scenes of today‘s efforts to find, track, and study NEOs. Donald K. Yeomans
is keen to explain the potential benefits and resources we can get from these
dangerous objects – such as obtaining water and oxygen, and using them as
fuelling stations for expeditions to Mars and the outermost reaches of the Solar
System. With this in mind, it’s time to find Near-Earth Objects – before they find us.
Peter Clissold
In honour of its fiftieth anniversary, the European Southern
Observatory (ESO) has issued Europe to the Stars, a wonderful
volume that provides a unique insight into ESO‘s quest to explore
the heavens. The dream of an advanced observatory in the
southern hemisphere that would re-establish Europe‘s leading
role in space exploration was first advanced by Walter Badde
and Jan Oort in the fifties. It was realised in 1962 with the
signing of the ESO convention by its founding members:
Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Having established their headquarters in Germany (first in
Hamburg, then in Garching, near Munich), the search began for
the perfect location for the new observatory. After extensive
scouting, La Silla in Chile was chosen as the prime location,
where, in 1969, ESO was officially inaugurated. Since then the
observatory, expanded to include the Very Large Telescope (VLT)
at Cerro Paranal and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter
Array (ALMA), has been instrumental in the huge technological
and scientific discoveries that have so significantly advanced our
understanding of the Universe.
The book and accompanying DVD take the readers and
viewers on a comprehensive guided tour of ESO‘s history, tech-
nological advances, and visions for the future visual exploration
of space. The amazing photographs, including a number of
impressive fold-out pictures, convey an acute sense of the vast-
ness of the skies and the harsh and desolate landscape from
which scientists unveil the mysteries of our Universe – one step
at a time.
Merel Groentjes
The Universe – ours to discover
reviews | DLR maGazıne 136 · 137 | 63
Exploring Mars
Is there life elsewhere in the Universe? Red Rover: Inside the Story of Robotic
Space Exploration, from Genesis to the Mars Rover Curiosity explores this
long-standing open question. Mars, our closest planetary neighbour, has always
inspired great curiosity, and has been one of the prime targets for exploration in our
Solar System – both to evaluate it as a destination for mankind and to investigate the
possibility that it could harbour life as we know it. To answer questions, researchers
have sent various types of probes – from observation satellites through to rovers.
While studies of the suitability of the Martian surface for manned exploration
continue, researchers recently successfully landed their latest explorer – Curiosity – a
Jeep-sized space laboratory. In Red Rover, Roger Wiens, the Principal Investigator for
the ChemCam laser instrument on Curiosity and a veteran of numerous robotic
NASA missions, tells the story of how he contributed to the development of various
robotic probes that made it to space. The reality of space exploration – tight dead-
lines, slim budgets and the threat of a shutdown – makes creative engineering and
human ingenuity a must. All the hard work pays off as those involved in the missions
live the critical moments of launch, voyage through space and entry into ‘unknown’
territory. Wiens’ detailed description of the events taking place during Curiosity’s
arrival and descent to Mars will keep you on the edge of your seat.
From Genesis to Curiosity, this book gives an enthralling account of the
behind-the-scenes of human achievements in space – past, present and future.
Karin Ranero Celius
Extrasolar planets
Scientists are on the lookout for extrasolar planets every day. To
date, 869 have been found and confirmed, and no two are
alike. Some are small, Earth-like planets, while others are roughly
30 times the size of our largest planetary neighbour, Jupiter. How
are these planets found? The Exoplanet app is an excellent tool
for learning about exoplanets, near and far. From background
information on discovery methods to a comprehensive catalogue of
all the exoplanets found – confirmed and yet to be confirmed.
Fly into the Milky Way and zoom into a planetary system.
You will see animations of the planets as they move around their
star. Choose a planet and see its size compared to our own plane-
tary neighbours. This app gives you all the known parameters of
the planet, which are updated on a daily basis. An added feature is
a Correlation Diagrams option, where the user can create personal-
ised charts according to the parameters chosen, and even export it
as a file that can be printed out and shown. Last but not least, an
Exoplanet News section provides links to scientific papers and arti-
cles discussing the latest discoveries. It’s educational, free,
informative and a great reference source for anyone interested in
the search for planets around other stars.
Karin Ranero Celius