4th Rock from the Sun

May 1, 2017

Seeing the same "obsessive, contagious excitement" about Mars now that used to characterize the Apollo program, science writer Jenner, whose work has appeared in New Scientist, Nature, and Astronomy Now, capitalizes on "Mars fever" with this multifaceted exploration of the Red Planet. Named for the Roman god of war, Mars has long held widespread appeal, whether because of its proximity and similarity to Earth, its mythological potency, or its ominous sanguine color. Jenner dedicates a different chapter to each aspect of the planet's unique character: how its peculiar orbital motion happens, how an Italian astronomer's translation error spawned a century's worth of Martian sf, and how astronomy and astrology have remained "strongly intertwined" despite scientific progress. Readers can launch into any section and discover something new and fascinating about our celestial neighbor. With several missions to Mars in the works and the Curiosity rover wheeling around it as we speak, digestible works like this will find a wide audience. VERDICT Earthlings who dream of Martian colonies or are simply interested in the next frontier of exploration will learn a lot from Jenner's title.--Chad Comello, Morton Grove P.L., IL

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