000			01696nam a2200205Ia 4500
999			_c1537 _d1537
003			OSt
005			20241215020503.0
008			210730s9999 xx 000 0 und d
020			_a9789814525152
040			_cIISER Bpr
082			_a523.4 _bENC
100			_aTherese Encrenaz _91786
245			_aPlanets: Ours and Others _bFrom Earth to Exoplanets _cTherese Encrenaz
260			_bWorld Scientific _aNew Jersey _c2013
300			_a208p.
500			_aWhat is a planet? The answer may seem obvious; still, the definition of a planet has continuously evolved over the centuries, and their number has changed following successive discoveries. In 2006, the decision endorsed by the International Astronomical Union to remove Pluto from the list of planets has well illustrated the difficulty associated with their definition. The recent discovery of hundreds of exoplanets around nearby stars of our Galaxy opens a new and spectacular dimension to astrophysics. We presently know very little about the physical nature of exoplanets. In contrast, our knowledge on solar system planets has made huge progress over the past decades, thanks, especially, to space planetary exploration. The purpose of this book is first to characterize what planets are, in their global properties and in their diversity. Then, this knowledge is used to try to imagine the physical nature of exoplanets, starting from the few parameters we know about them. Throughout, we keep in mind the ultimate question of the search for possible extraterrestrial life: Could life exist or have existed in the solar system and beyond?
650			_aPlanets _91787
650			_aExtrasolar planets _91788
942			_cBK _2ddc _02