J. Brit. Astron. Assoc., 108, 2, 1998, p.107
J. Brit. Astron. Assoc., 108, 2, 1998, p.107
John Wiley & Sons, 1997. ISBN 0-471-15297-8. Pp ix + 216, £22.50 (hbk).
reviewed by Andrew J. Hollis
This is a popular book that could not have been written earlier. It benefits from the instrumental revolution that has affected all of astronomy in recent years, allowing physical studies of Pluto to develop even though no spacecraft has yet visited. Indeed it is probably fair to suggest that very little more significant information can now be gleaned without a fly-by mission.
The story of the discovery and orbital characteristics have been well treated in the past (the best being the recent biography of Clyde Tombaugh). However the discovery of the satellite Charon and the observations of its subsequent eclipse and occultation phenomena, coupled with the imagery from the HST and stellar occultations, have given us a good insight into the atmospheric and physical characteristics of the planet. These are all well described in this book by one of the foremost 'Plutophiles' assisted by a former Editor of this Journal. There is a discussion of the possible interrelationship with the Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt objects (nice to see Edgeworth having equal billing in these pages for his earlier work). The only annoying feature is the reference to these objects as 'Smileys' - a John le Carré reference, since they came in from the cold. Whilst Jewitt may wish to call the first discovered, 1992QB1, Smiley he overlooks the fact that 1613 (a main belt asteroid) already carries that name and it will require a peculiar aberration by the naming committee to allow a second one.
The fascinating tale of the evolution of a possible space mission to Pluto is described, from its first discussions by the 'Pluto Underground' through its subsequent development to the proposed Pluto-Kuiper Express - the most lightweight probe ever thought of. Sadly this probe has not been funded, at least at present. The book is very readable and the information it contains is accurate and interesting. There are a few minor grumbles which do not seriously spoil the value of the book. Firstly the caption to Figure 3.7 suggests that the density of Pluto may be 7.735g/cu cm; this is patently wrong and must be a misprint. I suspect this should read 1.735 but I'm guessing here. More seriously the book frequently lapses into what I assume are US West Coast colloquialisms which may not be understood by all who read it now and may well confuse those reading in twenty or thirty years time.
These criticisms are minor and do not detract from the value of this popular level book about a distant and remote outpost. If you are interested in finding out more about this possible precursor of a new breed of distant Solar System object then this is the book to read first.
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