Cosmochemistry

Description

Cosmochemistry is a rapidly evolving field of planetary science and the second edition of this classic text reflects the exciting discoveries made over the past decade from new spacecraft missions. Topics covered include the synthesis of elements in stars, behaviour of elements and isotopes in the early solar nebula and planetary bodies, and compositions of extra-terrestrial materials. Radioisotope chronology of the early Solar System is also discussed, as well as geochemical exploration of planets by spacecraft, and cosmochemical constraints on the formation of solar systems. Thoroughly updated throughout, this new edition features significantly expanded coverage of chemical fractionation and isotopic analyses; focus boxes covering basic definitions and essential background material on mineralogy, organic chemistry and quantitative topics; and a comprehensive glossary. An appendix of analytical techniques and end-of-chapter review questions, with solutions available at www.cambridge.org/cosmochemistry2e, also contribute to making this the ideal teaching resource for courses on the Solar System's composition as well as a valuable reference for early career researchers.

Harry McSween is Chancellor Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee. His research on meteorites and Mars has resulted in hundreds of scientific papers. He has authored/co-authored six books on planetary science, including the textbook Planetary Geoscience (Cambridge, 2019) and was co-investigator on four NASA spacecraft missions. He has received awards from the US National Academy of Sciences, Meteoritical Society, and American Geophysical Union, and is the namesake for an asteroid. Gary Huss is Research Professor and Director of the W. M. Keck Cosmochemistry Laboratory, University of Hawai'i. He is grandson of H. H. Nininger, the father of modern meteoritics, and has 50 years of experience collecting and carrying out research on meteorites. He has published approximately 130 papers on cosmochemistry. He is a Fellow of, and has served as President of, the Meteoritical Society. He also has an asteroid named after him.

'Cosmochemistry deserves a wide distribution as a text for undergraduate and research students. Indeed, the book is worthy of the American Astronomical Society's Chambliss Astronomical Writing Award given for textbooks at either the upper-division or graduate level.' David L. Lambert, The Observatory