Asteroids, Comets, and Meteorites: Cosmic Invaders of the Earth (The Living Earth)

Clearly written and well illustrated with black-and-white photographs, illustrations, and helpful tables, Asteroids, Comets, and Meteorites provides students, researchers, and general readers with the most up-to-date information on this fascinating field. From the days of the dinosaurs to our modern environment, this book explores all aspects of these cosmic invaders. 0816048738......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 4 TABLES......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Foreword......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 Ch1: Origin of the Solar System......Page 14 Ch2: The Formation of Earth......Page 38 Ch3: Cratering Events......Page 62 Ch4: Planetary Impacts......Page 88 Ch5: Asteroids......Page 115 Ch6: Comets......Page 134 Ch7: Meteorite Craters......Page 154 Ch8: Impact Effects......Page 176 Ch9: Death Star......Page 201 Ch10: Cosmic Collisions......Page 222 Conclusion......Page 240 Glossary......Page 241 Bibliography......Page 252 Index......Page 260 The impact event that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs was not an isolated occurrence, for, as the foreword writer reminds us, a near-miss with an asteroid occurred in 1996. Erickson, an independent Colorado-based geologist, provides students beginning to study the Earth sciences and general readers with a lucid introduction to the bearers of such planetary impacts and their ongoing role in shaping our solar system. The book features numerous b & w illustrations, including recent photos taken from spacecraft, and a glossary with a pronunciation guide ISBN-13: 9780816048731 0816048738 1 CONTENTS 4 TABLES 6 Acknowledgments 8 Foreword 10 Introduction 12 Ch1: Origin of the Solar System 14 Ch2: The Formation of Earth 38 Ch3: Cratering Events 62 Ch4: Planetary Impacts 88 Ch5: Asteroids 115 Ch6: Comets 134 Ch7: Meteorite Craters 154 Ch8: Impact Effects 176 Ch9: Death Star 201 Ch10: Cosmic Collisions 222 Conclusion 240 Glossary 241 Bibliography 252 Index 260 An examination of meteorites, asteroids, and comets looks at the origin of the solar system, the formation of Earth, meteorite impacts throughout history and their effects, cosmic collisions, and extinction of species.