Of all the planets in our solar system, Mars is the most easily identifiable of all the astronomical objects in the night sky. Not only is is quite brights when visible, it reflects a distinct reddish hue that makes it readily stand out from the myriad other sparkling objects surrounding it. Perhaps for this reason, it is also the planet that has played such a significant role in the human imagination when we turn our attention to the skies.
In his recently published book For the Love of Mars; A Human History of the Red Planet, Dr. Matthew Shindell of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, guides his readers through the history of our observations, interpretations, and most recently explorations of the aptly called red planet. From Babylonian astrologers through the natural philosophers of more recent centuries, and up to our present technological state of being able to receive color images of the surface of the planet taken by remotely operated mechanical landers (how the astrologers and astronomers at these!)
Whether you’re an actively observing astronomer, a new-comer to the activity, or simply enjoy looking up at the night sky in wonder at the beauty and vastness to be seen there of a clear evening, Dr. Shindell’s book is one well worth investigating further for the copious food for thought it contains about our most familiar planetary neighbor.
