1 / 7Mars: Photographs from the NASA Archives
Mars: Photographs from the NASA Archives is a TASCHEN illustrated book tracing NASA’s exploration of the planet through photographs, historical illustrations and explanatory text. Its broad scope spans early Mariner imagery, orbiter views and rover missions, with essays and image captions for added context.
At a glance
- Covers six decades of NASA Mars exploration, from Mariner 4’s early close-up images to rover missions.
- The imagery includes Martian riverbeds, polar ice caps, dust storms, canyons, volcanoes and surface landscapes.
- Essays discuss the history of exploration and mission challenges, while captions provide image and technical context.
- Includes historical illustrations alongside NASA photographs.
Often bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- Combines imagery with essays and captions, offering more mission context than a picture-only collection.
- Its scope across flybys, orbiters and surface rovers gives readers a visual overview of changing Mars exploration.
Cons
- The listed 3.15 kg weight and 30 x 30 cm dimensions make it a substantial book rather than a light, compact read.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | TASCHEN |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 29 Nov. 2024 |
| Edition | Multilingual |
| Print length | 340 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 3836586460 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-3836586467 |
| Dimensions | 30 x 3.8 x 30 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 3.15 kg |
What to know before buying
Listing details to confirm
The listing describes the edition as English, French and German in one section, while its product details say only multilingual. Confirm the languages in the selected edition if this matters.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Mars, planetary science and NASA mission history.
- A display-minded photography-book buyer looking for large-format planetary imagery.
- A gift for someone interested in space exploration and visual reference books.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a compact or lightweight book.
- Buyers who need confirmation of the exact languages in this particular edition before ordering.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
74% 74% - 4 stars
8% 8% - 3 stars
8% 8% - 2 stars
0% 0% - 1 star
10% 10%
Aggregate ratings lean positive, with most ratings in the five-star category, but the distribution also includes a smaller one-star share. Without review comments, the ratings do not show what readers liked or disliked. For a large, image-led volume with essays and captions, they offer only a broad satisfaction signal, not evidence about image quality, printing or language details.
Frequently asked questions
What does the book cover?
It presents NASA images and historical illustrations covering Mars exploration, including Mariner 4, orbiter missions and surface rovers.
Does it include explanatory text?
Yes. The listing describes essays on exploration history and mission challenges, together with captions providing image and technical context.
What languages are included?
The listing is inconsistent: one section names English, French and German, while the product details only say multilingual. Check the selected edition if you need specific languages.
Is it easy to carry?
The stated dimensions are 30 x 3.8 x 30 cm and the listed weight is 3.15 kg, so it is a large, heavy volume.
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