Meteorites
Their Impact on Science and History

A comprehensive and highly illustrated guide to meteorites and the fascinating contributions they make to science.

Brigitte Zanda (Edited by), Monica Rotaru (Edited by), Roger Hewins (Translated by)

9780521799409, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 July 2001

130 pages, 41 b/w illus. 122 colour illus. 4 maps 4 tables
23.1 x 17.2 x 1.2 cm, 0.426 kg

'This book is one of the most lavishly illustrated texts on meteoritics that it has been my pleasure to read … [it] provides an excellent overview of the origin, nature, and significance of meteorites that is an easily accessible read for the interested public. I can also recommend its purchase to students of meteoritics, as a useful introduction to the field. It is also a valuable addition to the bookshelf of professional meterioriticists.' Monica Grady, The Observatory

What are these strange rocks that fall from the sky? Where do they come from? Are they a threat? What are they made of? How common are they? Throughout history, we have been fascinated by meteorites and their significance. As time has passed, we have learned more and more about these extraterrestrial objects and today, the scientific study of meteorites provides a wealth of information about the solar system. They reveal clues to some of the greatest scientific enigmas: the origin of life on Earth, the mass extinction of species, the nature and composition of asteroids, the conditions during the formation of the solar system, and the dust from stars that died long before our Sun formed. This comprehensive guide to meteorites, first published in 2001, was written by a team of experts. With the help of over two hundred full-colour photographs, diagrams and graphs, they will skillfully answer all your questions.

1. The harder they fall C. Perron
2. Stones fallen from the sky U. Marvin
3. Impact craters P. Thomas
4. Cretaceous Park R. Rocchia, E. Robin and H. Leroux
5. Like no rock on Earth B. Zanda, M. Christophe Michel Lévy, M. Bourot Denise and C. Caillet Komorowski
6. Little planets D. Benest
7. The Sound and the Fury J.-P. Bibring
8. Signed carbon F. Robert, M. Festou and F. Raulin
9. A stormy nebula R. Hewins
10. The age of the solar system G. Manhès
11. Galactic fossils E. Zinner
12. Leafing through the past two centuries... P. Pellas
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Illustration credits.

Subject Areas: Popular astronomy & space [WNX], Earth sciences [RB], Solar system: the Sun & planets [PGS]