INTRODUCTION TO THE VENUS II BOOK ********************************************************************
S. W. Bougher, D. M. Hunten, and R. J. Phillips., eds. 1997. ``Venus II : Geology, Geophysics, Atmosphere, and Solar Wind Environment.''
(Tucson: University of Arizona Press).
The Venus II book and CDROM is currently near completion, and is due out
as a published volume by late summer 1997.
With the demise of the Pioneer Venus Orbiter in October 1992, the Galileo Venus flyby in February 1990, and the final orbit of Magellan in October 1994, we find ourselves at the culmination of a period of exciting Venus reconnaisance and exploration. The resulting scientific studies are
unprecedented in their detail for any planet except the Earth. Consequently,
a new Venus book is needed that re-evaluates our initial
assessment of Venus in light of these and other spacecraft missions
and ground-based campaigns conducted over the past 30-years. The Space Science Series of the University of Arizona Press is just
completing production of a such book entitled - ``Venus II : Geology,
Geophysics, Atmosphere, and Solar Wind Environment''. A special Venus II scientific meeting was convened in Tucson, Arizona
over January 4-7, 1995 in order to review what is known about the geology, interior structure, atmosphere,
and solar wind environment of Venus and to study the many intriguing questions
and competing theories that remain. The content of this book is an outgrowth of that meeting. The resulting themes of the Venus II book are
threefold: to summarize those aspects of
Venus that are known with reasonable confidence, to elucidate key points where
interpretations diverge and the resulting implications, and to identify future
measurements of high priority. The diversity of the 36 chapters contained herein clearly reflects the interdisciplinary nature of Venus science, and
also attests to the breadth of backgrounds and skills that have contributed to Venus science over many years. Several
spacecraft missions are represented, including the Veneras, Vega 1 and 2, Pioneer Venus, the Galileo flyby, and Magellan. In addition, various ground-based observational campaigns are described and their results presented.
Over 100 authors have contributed to this book writing project.
A CDROM is also provided as a supplement to this Venus II book. It is
a collaboration of the Data Distribution Lab of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
and the University of Arizona Press. This CDROM incorporates text, graphics,
software, and various digital data products from selected Venus II book
authors. Finally, as editors, it is our hope that future Venus exploration and science
will continue to build upon the data and ideas presented in this Venus II book
and CDROM. Furthermore, it is our sincere belief that ongoing Mars exploration
and science will benefit greatly from this new ``Venusian perspective''. Dr. Stephen W. Bougher
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
-->Click here for more on this book<--