Title
Asteroids: A History (Smithsonian History of Aviation & Spaceflight Series),Used
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Asteroids suggest images of a catastrophic impact with Earth, triggering infernos, tidal waves, famine, and death but these scenarios have obscured the larger story of how asteroids have been discovered and studied. During the past two centuries, the quest for knowledge about asteroids has involved eminent scientists and amateur astronomers, patient research and sudden intuition, advanced technology and the simplest of telescopes, newspaper headlines and Cold War secrets. Today, researchers have named and identified the mineral composition of these objects. They range in size from 33 feet to 580 miles wide and most are found in a belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Covering all aspects of asteroid investigation, Curtis Peebles shows how ideas about the orbiting boulders have evolved. He describes how such phenomena as the Moon's craters and dinosaur extinction were gradually, and by some scientists grudgingly, accepted as the results of asteroid impacts. He tells how a band of icy asteroids rimming the solar system, first proposed as a theory in the 1940s, was ignored for more than forty years until renewed interest and technological breakthroughs confirmed the existence of the Kuiper Belt. Peebles also chronicles the discovery of ShoemakerLevy 9, a comet with twentytwo nuclei that crashed into Jupiter in 1994, releasing many times the energy of the world's nuclear arsenal. Showing how asteroid research is increasingly collaborative, the book provides insights into the evolution of scientific ideas and the ebb and flow of scientific debate.
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- Q: What is the main topic of 'Asteroids: A History'? A: 'Asteroids: A History' explores the discovery and study of asteroids, detailing their impact on Earth and the evolution of scientific understanding about these celestial bodies.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Curtis Peebles, who provides insights into asteroid research and its historical significance.
- Q: What is the publication date of this book? A: 'Asteroids: A History' was published on September 17, 2000.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: This book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: How many pages does 'Asteroids: A History' have? A: The book contains 290 pages.
- Q: Is this book in good condition? A: The book is described as being in mint condition.
- Q: What are some key themes discussed in the book? A: The book discusses themes such as asteroid impacts, the evolution of scientific ideas, and the collaboration in asteroid research.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: This is the first edition of 'Asteroids: A History'.
- Q: Does the book cover recent discoveries about asteroids? A: Yes, it covers recent discoveries, including the identification of the mineral composition of asteroids and the existence of the Kuiper Belt.
- Q: Is this book suitable for both scientists and general readers? A: Yes, the book is written to be accessible to both amateur astronomers and experts, making it suitable for a wide range of readers.