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  • © 2021

Imaging Our Solar System: The Evolution of Space Mission Cameras and Instruments

Authors:

  • A comprehensive guide to imaging instruments in space
  • Features the most famous images of our Solar System
  • Details the imaging instruments for modern missions such as OSIRIS-REx, Perseverance, and the Europa Clipper

Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books (PRAXIS)

Part of the book sub series: Space Exploration (SPACEE)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxii
  2. Part I

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Imaging the Unknown

      • Bernard Henin
      Pages 2-20
    3. Destination: Moon

      • Bernard Henin
      Pages 21-50
    4. Race to the Planets

      • Bernard Henin
      Pages 51-89
  3. Part II

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 90-90
    2. Lost Opportunities and New Capabilities

      • Bernard Henin
      Pages 91-112
    3. Ambitions Renewed

      • Bernard Henin
      Pages 113-144
  4. Part III

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 145-145
    2. The Inner Solar System in Focus

      • Bernard Henin
      Pages 146-213
    3. Modern Missions

      • Bernard Henin
      Pages 214-252
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 253-271

About this book

As we speak, stunning new snapshots of our Solar System are being transmitted to Earth by a fleet of space probes, landers, and rovers. Yet nowadays, it is all too easy to take such images for granted amidst the deluge of competing visuals we scroll through every day. To truly understand the value of these incredible space photos, we first need to understand the tools that made them possible.

This is the story of imaging instruments in space, detailing all the technological missteps and marvels that have allowed us to view planetary bodies like never before. From the rudimentary cameras launched in the 1950’s to the cutting-edge imaging instruments onboard the Mars Perseverance rover, this book covers more than 100 imaging systems sent aboard various spacecraft to explore near and distant planetary bodies. 

Featured within are some of the most striking images ever received by these pioneering instruments, including Voyager’s Pale Blue Dot, Apollo’s Blue Marble, Venera’s images from the surface of Venus, Huygens’ images of Titan, New Horizon’s images of Pluto and Arrokoth, and much more. Along the way, you will learn about advancements in data transmission, digitization, citizen science, and other fields that revolutionized space imaging, helping us peer farther and more clearly across the Solar System.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Hong Kong, China

    Bernard Henin

About the author

Bernard Henin fell in love with astronomy when, as a teenager reading National Geographic, he came across images of Neptune taken from NASA’s spacecraft Voyager 2. He was mesmerised by the giant blue planet, and found it both exhilarating and liberating to think that entire new worlds could be explored. Since then, he has followed humanity’s continued exploration of our solar system closely. 

Bernard enjoys sharing his passion for planetary science and space exploration with like-minded amateurs, through public presentations and talks. He is a member of the Sherwood Observatory in the United Kingdom (home to the second largest telescope in the country that is freely accessible for public viewing) and has carried out public outreach activities in the United Kingdom and in Hong Kong.

Originally from Belgium, Bernard has also lived in the USA, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. His first book with Springer is titled Exploring the Ocean Worlds of our Solar System (2018).

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 29.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 37.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access