Venus and Mercury, and How to Observe Them 2008th Edition

From the reviews:

“Covering the physical characteristics of Mercury and Venus and then outlining the instruments and techniques employed to observe them in a single book was always going to be ambitious. … Peter Grego has had a good stab at it and the resulting text contains hardly any filler in its 262 pages. … it’s an approachable read that you will return to again and again. Hopefully, it will inspire more astronomers to observe and record the inner planets.” (Grant Privett, BBC Sky at Night, June, 2008)

“A new guide to the two inferior planets of the solar system. … Grego provides instruction in how to observe these bodies, and describes their origins, ‘geography,’ and qualities unique to each planet. The work is useful to the beginner and experienced alike in the use of optics, recording methods, and specifics for each planet. A short Internet resource guide, black-and-white and color photos, a subject index, and planet-specific feature indexes enhance the book. … Summing Up: Recommended. All readers/libraries.” (M. V. Golden, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (11), August, 2008)

Mercury and Venus – known as the “inferior planets” because they are closer to the Sun than the Earth is – have always been regarded as difficult and even dangerous targets for amateur astronomers.

Recent advances in commercially-made instruments have, however, brought them within range of only moderately experienced observers, and certainly Mercury and Venus are by no means inferior in terms of visual delights, observing challenges…and mystery. Venus and Mercury and How to Observe Them offers a wealth of detailed practical information on every aspect of observing, from safely targeting the two planets, through visual observing, to sketching and electronic imaging.

This is of course much more than a book about observing.

We now know a lot more of the origin and evolution of Mercury and Venus, and Peter Grego describes the most recent theories of their probable formation, geology, and history. Not only does this include a lot about the surface of the planets, but also their internal structure, magnetic fields, and atmospheres.