Weird Worlds

David A. J. Seargent holds an MA and Ph.D., both in Philosophy from the University of Newcastle NSW, where he formerly worked as a tutor in Philosophy for the Department of Community of Programs/Worker’s Educational Association external education program. As an amateur astronomer, he is known for his observations of comets, one of which he discovered in 1978. He is the author of four astronomy books: “Comets – Vagabonds in Space” (Doubleday, 1982), “The Greatest Comets in History” (Springer, 2008), “Weird Astronomy” (Springer, 2010), and most recently “Weird Weather” (Springer, 2012). He is the author of a regular column in “Australian Sky and Telescope” magazine.

From the reviews: "David Seargent has the enviable ability to pick his way through an enormous amount of detail and to spice up our understanding of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets with the odd and interesting aspects of their physics and chemistry. He expertly balances the depth of our knowledge against the huge number of unknowns. ... this engagingly written, introductory-level, and extremely accessible book will do much to encourage more people to investigate planets." (David W. Hughes, The Observatory, Vol. 134 (1239), April, 2014) "Seargent (Australian Sky and Telescope) begins with the most curious features of the major planets, and then leads readers to some of the innumerable minor bodies in the solar system, such as asteroids, comets, moons, Kuiper Belt objects, and dwarf planets like Pluto and Ceres. ... While Weird Worlds is certainly an excellent introduction to planetary science, it is really a tour guide of the solar system--and beyond. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries." (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 51 (4), December, 2013)

• Oddities of the Inner Worlds.- Strange Little Worlds – Asteroids and Their Kin.- The Many Moons of the Solar System.- Titan – Weirdest World of Them All?.- Oddities of the Outer Worlds.- Strange Worlds Afar.- Observational Projects.​