Comets and Asteroids 2004

These cosmic objects -- the leftovers of the formation of our solar system -- are the most plentiful bodies in that system. Covered in this fact-filled, up-to-date volume are how asteroids were first discovered, how asteroids and comets formed, their sizes, shapes and orbits, ongoing space flights to these bodies, plans to mine them for their valuable materials, and the very real threat of disaster caused by asteroids and comets impacting the Earth. Cover......Page 1 LinkToy : )~......Page 0 Table of Contents......Page 4 Foreword......Page 5 Introduction - Mountains in the Sky......Page 8 Comets Demystified, Asteroids Discovered......Page 16 How Asteroids and Comets Formed......Page 29 Vital Statistics of Asteroids and Comets......Page 42 Voyages to the Comets and Asteroids......Page 56 How Humans Will Mine Asteroids and Comets......Page 69 When Comets and Asteroids Strike Earth......Page 81 Notes......Page 95 Glossary......Page 98 For Further Reading......Page 100 Major Works Consulted......Page 102 Additional Works Consulted......Page 104 Index......Page 108 About the Author......Page 113 Cover 1 LinkToy : )~ -1 Table of Contents 4 Foreword 5 Introduction - Mountains in the Sky 8 Comets Demystified, Asteroids Discovered 16 How Asteroids and Comets Formed 29 Vital Statistics of Asteroids and Comets 42 Voyages to the Comets and Asteroids 56 How Humans Will Mine Asteroids and Comets 69 When Comets and Asteroids Strike Earth 81 Notes 95 Glossary 98 For Further Reading 100 Major Works Consulted 102 Additional Works Consulted 104 Index 108 Picture Credits 113 About the Author 113 These cosmic objects--the leftovers of the formation of our solar system--are the most plentiful bodies in that system. Covered in this fact-filled, up-to-date volume are how asteroids were first discovered, how asteroids and comets formed, their sizes, shapes and orbits, ongoing space flights to these bodies, plans no mine them for their valuable materials, and the very real threat of disaster caused by asteroids and comets impacting the earth. Discusses the history of comets and asteroids, how they are formed, where they are found, and what impact they made have on the future of the Earth