posted 06-18-2008 12:22 AM               

In a stunning and completely new view of the solar system, an astronaut and a geologist team up to investigate, through parallel views made possible by cutting-edge space technology, how the earth itself can help science unravel the mysteries of the heavens.

Noted planetary geologist Ellen Stofan and veteran astronaut Tom Jones pair images of Earth -- many captured by space shuttle and space station crewmembers -- with astonishing scenes of alien surfaces beamed home by NASA's far-ranging robotic probes. Vivid illustrations of searing lava plains, windswept deserts, and stark craters demonstrate how natural forces have shaped these varied landscapes. This comprehensive new portrait of the solar system brings to light an array of important features never seen until today -- and it highlights, for the first time, the similarities and contrasts between Earth and its neighbors in space.

Anecdotal stories from space flights and exploratory missions make Planetology an absorbing read as well as an informative resource. The book's unique concept draws intriguing comparisons across multiple physical processes, and its dynamic design offers a fresh approach to the study of space. With extensive media and science experience and contacts for both authors, Planetology is positioned for stellar success.

About the Authors

Ellen Stofan is a planetary geologist who has conducted research on the geology of volcanic and tectonic features on Venus, Mars, Titan, and Earth. She is currently a Senior Research Scientist of proxemy Research and an Honorary Professor of Earth Sciences at University College London.

Tom Jones is a scientist, author, pilot, and former NASA astronaut. He led three space walks to install the centerpiece of the International Space Station. He is the author of Sky Walking: An Astronaut's Memoir (Harper Collins, 2006) and The Complete Idiots Guide to NASA (Alpha, 2002) as well as a contributing writer to Smithsonian Air and Space magazine.

• Hardcover: 224 pages
  
• Publisher: National Geographic (November 18, 2008)
  
• ISBN-10: 1426201214
  
• ISBN-13: 978-1426201219