Exoplanets: Finding, Exploring and Understanding Alien Worlds Author: Chris Kitchin Publisher: Springer ISBN: 978-1-46140-643-3 Price: £26.99 (Pb), 281pp
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This book by astronomy writer and BBC The Sky at Night regular Chris Kitchin examines the various methods used to detect and analyse exoplanets. It also explores topical subjects such as the environments on such planets, where they are found and whether they could make a good home-from-home for humans. Kitchin’s obvious expertise in this field means he goes into significantly greater depth than other books on the subject. However, the book reads a little like a textbook in places, with tables presented throughout. The text is peppered with the names of various planets (‘WASP-19b’, ’55 Cnc d’, ‘PSR 1257+12b’ and so on) – while Kitchin can’t escape this, it does make for quite a dry read. There are appendices describing why these planets are named as they are, but constantly flipping from chapter to appendix in order to keep up makes the book feel stilted.

The main problem with books on this subject is that they date very quickly. Kitchin admits this himself, mentioning that parts of the book were written in the last days before sending to print (in early 2011). With the almost weekly Kepler discoveries of new, smaller and more Earth-like planets, the book seems strangely outdated – it would perhaps have served better if it focused on the methods of detection alone, rather than summing up the past discoveries, future prospects of the field, and discussing their potential as future human colonies.

The book may not appeal to the lay reader as some prior knowledge is assumed, but Kitchin tries to be as inclusive as possible by both explaining as he goes along and pointing the way to recommended further reading. For someone willing to put a bit of effort in to gain a comprehensive overview of the hunt for exoplanets – and learn about the physics behind the past discoveries – this book is an ideal choice.

Nicky Guttridge