Exploring the Atmosphere of Mars
On Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, NASA will launch MAVEN, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission. MAVEN will orbit Mars, exploring its upper atmosphere and ionosphere in an attempt to understand how solar exposure may have affected the habitability of the planet. Information gained during this mission will be used in planning future manned missions to Mars. If you would like to know more about the Red Planet and space exploration, take a look at the resources below.
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Destination Mars: New Explorations of the Red Planet by Rod Pyle
In the next decade, NASA is planning a minimum of four separate missions to Mars. Clearly, exciting times are ahead for Mars exploration. This is an insider's look into the amazing projects now being developed here and abroad to visit the legendary red planet. Drawing on his contacts at NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pyle provides stunning insights into the history of Mars exploration and the difficulties and dangers of traveling there.
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach
Space is a world devoid of the things we need to live and thrive: air, gravity, hot showers, fresh produce, privacy, beer. Space exploration is in some ways an exploration of what it means to be human. As Roach discovers, it's possible to preview space without ever leaving Earth. From the space shuttle training toilet to a crash test of NASA's new space capsule (cadaver filling in for astronaut), Roach takes us on a surreally entertaining trip into the science of life in space and space on Earth.
Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier by Neil deGrasse Tyson
This book represents the best of Tyson's commentary, including a candid new introductory essay on NASA and partisan politics, giving us an eye-opening manifesto on the importance of space exploration for America's economy, security and morale. Thanks to Tyson's fresh voice and trademark humor, his insights are as delightful as they are provocative, on topics that range from the missteps that shaped our recent history of space travel to how aliens, if they existed, might go about finding us.
Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl Sagan
In Cosmos, Sagan cast his gaze over the magnificent mystery of the Universe and made it accessible to millions of people around the world. In this stunning sequel, the late astronomer completes his revolutionary journey through space and time, tracing the spellbinding history of our launch into the cosmos and assessing the future that looms before us as we move out into our own solar system and on to distant galaxies beyond.
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