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Tittle Author Publisher Publication date ISBN Language Genre File Type |
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Asteroids, Comets and Meteorites - Cosmic Invaders of the Earth Jon Erickson Facts On File, Inc. 2003 0-8160-4873-8 English Science |
The science of meteoritics deals with the study of meteorites and their impacts on Earth. Meteorite craters on the Moon, the inner planets, and the moons of the outer planets are quite evident and numerous. Several remnants of ancient meteorite craters remain on Earth, suggesting it was just as heavily bombarded as the rest of the solar system. Meteorite impacts have produced many strikingly circular features in the crust scattered throughout the world. They are testimony to disasters in the past caused by major meteorite impacts. In the future, many more craters will be found, painting a clear picture of what transpired long ago.The evidence hints that impact cratering is an ongoing process, and the planet can expect another major meteorite impact at any time.
Large meteorite impacts had a major effect on the history of life since the very beginning. Throughout geologic history, asteroids and comets have repeatedly bombarded Earth, implying such events are a continuing process. Sometimes asteroids the size of mountains struck the planet, extinguishing large numbers of species.The most celebrated extinction was the death of the dinosaurs and many other species.The dinosaur killer left its footprints all over the world.
Between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter lies a wide belt of asteroids containing a million or more stony and metallic irregular rock fragments. Several large asteroids have been observed to be out of the main asteroid belt and in Earth-crossing orbits. Comets strike at much higher velocities, making them more deadly. Many Earth-bound asteroids and comets capable of killing millions of people are wandering around in space. Dozens of nearEarth asteroids have been discovered, and occasionally a wayward object wanders near out planet.
The text begins with the origin of the universe, the galaxies, and the solar system. It then examines the creation of Earth, the Moon, and the initiation of life. The text continues with historical meteorite impact events on Earth and explores craters on the other planets and their moons. Next it discusses asteroids, the asteroid belt, meteors, and meteorites, comets, and meteor showers. The text continues with an examination of meteorite craters and impact structures scattered around the world. It then discusses the global effects of large meteorite impacts and the impact theory of mass extinction of species. Finally, it examines the effects to civilization of large asteroid or comet impacts on Earth.
Science enthusiasts will particularly enjoy this fascinating subject and gain a better understanding of how the forces of nature operate on Earth. Students of geology and Earth science will also find this a valuable reference to further their studies. Readers will enjoy this clear and easily readable text that is well illustrated with photographs, illustrations, and helpful tables. A comprehensive glossary is provided to define difficult terms, and a bibliography lists references for further reading. Meteorite impacts are among the tireless geologic processes that continually shape this living Earth.
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