The exploration of our solar system is one of humanity’s greatest scientific achievements. The last fifty years in particular have seen huge steps forward in our understanding of the planets, the sun, and other objects in the solar system. Often referred to as the final frontier, many profound mysteries about our own solar system have yet to be answered.
In his book Exploring the Solar System, award-winning author Peter Bond takes a look at the latest information we have on the celestial bodies in our own backyard. Today he has agreed to talk with us about his work.
- Why did you feel this was an important book to write?
- What Solar System facts do you think would surprise your readers to learn?
Science is often seen as a difficult subject to choose at school or college, and, as a result, students tend to avoid it. On the other hand, many young people are fascinated by space, and when I speak to school groups, they often show considerable knowledge of the stars and planets.
I wanted to write a book that would be accessible to students and general readers with a limited science background, one that would, hopefully, also enthuse and inspire them about the scientific discoveries that are being made about our solar system. Since we live on the only easily habitable planet in the solar system, it is also important to compare Earth with the other worlds that have been discovered, in order to make people aware of how unique and precious it is. Our role as caretakers of this beautiful blue planet cannot be overstated.
During presentations to groups of school students or non-scientists, I always try to give them an idea of sizes and distances. For example, when they see an image of Earth next to the Sun, they are amazed to discover that 1.3 million (1,300,000) Earths would fit inside the Sun. 1,300 Earths would fit inside Jupiter – indeed, Jupiter is so big that all of the other planets would fit inside it – yet it rotates faster than any other major planet, taking less than 10 hours to complete one rotation. Continue reading
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