San Antonio College Library

"Planet Mars goes to the heart of current planetary research. The reader is taken on a richly illustrated journey through the fascinating vistas of the Red Planet, as revealed by recent missions and NASA's tireless robot geologists. In addition, the book compares the evolution of Mars with that of Earth, in hope of telling us more about our own past and perhaps how life began."--Jacket.

The author presents his plan, Mars Direct, with ideas for using present-day technology to "produce fuel and oxygen on the planet's surface with Martian natural resources," etc.--Jacket.

"Markus Hotakainen's engrossing tale of Mars: From Myth and Mystery to Recent Discoveries will fill you in and entertain you with unbelievable stories that were once believed about Mars. We have come a long way in knowing our neighbor in space. Join Markus on this journey from myth to reality, and find out what we do know about Mars, and what is still a mystery."--Jacket.

"National Geographic and science journalist Marc Kaufman combine inside stories, fascinating facts, and eye-popping pictures, some never before seen, of the red planet and NASA's groundbreaking Curiosity mission. Renowned author Kaufman spent two years embedded with the engineers and scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, cheering on the rover's spine-tingling landing, learning the backstory of anticipated findings, and witnessing the inescapable...

"In this timely and vividly written account, William Sheehan traces human fascination with Mars back to the naked-eye observers of the planet. He recalls the early telescopic observers who first made out enigmatic markings and polar caps on its surface. Through lively historical anecdotes, he describes in detail the debate over the so-called canals of Mars, which encouraged speculation that the planet might be inhabited. Finally, Sheehan describes...

Mars has long offered the prospect of another living world near Earth. Although NASA's first spacecraft dashed visions of little green men tending canals, recent voyages have painted a picture of an intriguing planet that may have once resembled Earth, with warmth, water, and possibly life. Mars may answer the great question "Are we alone?"; for if Mars, like Earth, gave rise to life, then trillions of other worlds throughout the universe have surely...

In this book, the author focuses on the similarities between Mars and the early Earth. Utilizing his expert knowledge of microbial life in boiling hot springs on Earth, where many scientists believe life on our planet may well have originated, the author unveils his dramatic plan - already adopted by NASA - for finding life in the rocks and subsurface water of Mars. Then, taking a hard look at that alleged "fossil" in the now famous Mars-rock found...

"A young planetary scientist intimately details the search for life on Mars, tracing our centuries-old obsession with this seemingly desolate planet. Mars was once similar to Earth, but today there are no rivers, no lakes, no oceans. Coated in red dust, the terrain is bewilderingly empty. And yet multiple spacecraft are circling Mars, sweeping over Terra Sabaea, Syrtis Major, the dunes of Elysium, and Mare Sirenum--on the brink, perhaps, of a staggering...