Exploring the trans-Neptunian solar system / Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration, Space Studies Board, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration.

Series:

Compass series (Washington, D.C.)

Compass series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Pluto (Dwarf planet).

Neptune (Planet).

Charon (Satellite).

Triton (Satellite).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (64 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1998.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In the last decade, our knowledge of the outer solar system has been transformed as a result of the Voyager 2 encounter with Neptune and its satellite Triton and from Earth-based observations of the Pluto-Charon system. However, the planetary system does not simply end at the distance of Pluto and Neptune. In the past few years, dozens of bodies have been discovered in near-circular, low inclination orbits near or beyond the orbit of Neptune. These bodies are now believed to be directly related to each other and to Pluto, Charon, and Triton, and as a class they define and occupy the inner boundary of a hitherto unexplored component of the solar system, the trans-neptunian region. Exploring the Trans-Neptunian Solar System reviews current understanding of the trans-neptunian solar system and makes recommendations for the future exploration of this distant realm.

Contents:

Front Matter

Foreword

Preface

Contents

Executive Summary

1 The New Worlds Beyond 30 AU

2 Current Knowledge and Outstanding Issues

3 Key Measurement Objectives

4 Technology Issues

5 Conclusions and Recommendations

Glossary.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9780309174121

0309174120

9780309521888

0309521882

9780585144979

0585144974

OCLC:

44964848