*Allègre, C. 1992. From Stone to Star. pp. 2-13. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

This highly readable book traces the history of ideas regarding the formation of our solar system and Earth. Of particular interest are discussions of modern geology, the solar nebula hypothesis, the planetesimal hypothesis, the condensation sequence, heterogeneous versus homogeneous accretion, and the geochemical evidence that supports different models. Professor Sean highly recommends this book to anyone interested in the historical development of models of Earth’s formation.

*Arny, Thomas. Explorations: An Introduction to Astronomy. 2006. 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill: IA

Arny’s explanations and illustrations simplify astronomy for the beginning student. It is also an excellent resource for instructors who wish to brush up on their knowledge of astronomy. Professor Sean is a bit at odds with astronomy books (and astronomy chapters in some Earth Science books) that end with cosmology rather than start with it. He prefers introducing students to the big picture first. (The same argument can be made for geology books that end with plate tectonics.) Nonetheless, this book is an ideal desk reference for instructors and a great resource for students who wish to explore astronomy topics in greater depth.

Plait, Phillip. 2002. Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing "Hoax". Wiley: NJ

Any book that addresses misconceptions about science is worth a look.

*Tyson, Neil DeGrasse and Donald Goldsmith. 2004. Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution. W.W. Norton and Company: NY

Haven’t read it but Professor Sean has always liked Tyson’s forthright manner.

*From the Earth to the Moon. HBO. 1998

(See especially Part Ten: Galileo Was Right for a stirring account of the meaning of geologic context.) (DVD)

*NOVA Origins. 2004. PBS. (DVD)

*The Planets. 1999. BBC. (DVD)

*Fu, Lee-Lueng and Anny Cazenave. 2001. Satellite Altimetry and Earth Sciences: A Handbook of Techniques and Applications. Academic Press: San Diego. 463 pp.

Reference for: Chapter 9, Geostrophic Flow: The Hill in the Gyre

This is an advanced textbook on satellite altimetry.

*Fix, John. 2006. Astronomy: Journey to the Cosmic Frontier, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education: IA

Reference for: Chapter 11, Figures 11-6, 11-8