ICARUS, International Journal of Solar System Studies

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Icarus, International Journal of Solar System Studies - Home Page

ICARUS is the official publication of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society and is dedicated to reporting the results of new research - observational, experimental, or theoretical - concerning the astronomy, geology, meteorology, physics, chemistry, biology, and other scientific aspects of our Solar System or extrasolar systems.
This website provides facilities for electronic submission of manuscripts and reviews and for password-protected electronic access to manuscripts for authors and reviewers. It also provides general information about the journal and about the Cornell University editorial office. If you have not previously used this site you may wish to read About This Site before proceeding, particularly if you want to access or submit a manuscript or review.

Editor-in-Chief:
Editors:

Editor Emeritus:
Philip D. Nicholson
James F. Bell III
Michael R. Combi
Andrew P. Ingersoll
Alessandro Morbidelli
Louise Prockter
Joseph A. Burns
Editorial Manager:
Editorial Assistant:
Editorial Address:
Cheryl L. Hall

Icarus Editorial Office
Space Sciences Building
Cornell University
phone: 607-255-4875
fax: 607-255-6354
e-mail: icarus at astro.cornell.edu

Of Icarus

In ancient days two aviators procured to themselves wings. Daedalus flew safely through the middle air and was duly honoured on his landing. Icarus soared upwards to the sun till the wax melted which bound his wings and his flight ended in fiasco. The classical authorities tell us, of course, that he was only "doing a stunt"; but I prefer to think of him as the man who brought to light a serious constructional defect in the flying-machines of his day. So, too, in science. Cautious Daedalus will apply his theories where he feels confident they will safely go; but by his excess of caution their hidden weaknesses remain undiscovered. Icarus will strain his theories to the breaking-point till the weak joints gape. For the mere adventure? Perhaps partly, this is human nature. But if he is destined not yet to reach the sun and solve finally the riddle of its construction, we may at least hope to learn from his journey some hints to build a better machine.

From "Stars and Atoms," by Sir Arthur Eddington (Oxford University Press, 1927, p. 41)

Last modified: Wed Apr 30 12:06:48 2008	© 2000-2007 Icarus
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