Customer Reviews

Asteroids: A History

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Once upon a time, asteroids were "the vermin of the skies," as Peebles indicates. However, with the success of the NEAR mission and with concerns over the cataclysmic effects of asteroid impacts making their way even into popular culture, they are of great interest today.

The book lives up to the title, providing a very brief background on the birth of modern astronomy with Kepler and Galileo before getting to the discovery of the first asteroids. The first clue was the large gap between Mars and Jupiter, where astronomers in the 1700s began looking for a missing planet. By early in the next century, they'd found several, though they were all too small. And by the early 1900s, astronomers were getting a little tired of them, there were so many (about 2,000).

Skipping up to modern times, we now have dedicated instruments that are all but swamping the system with findings: The Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) project, using automated techniques, found over 25,000 new asteroids in less than two years.

Peebles also focuses on different categories of asteroids, since not all are found between Earth and Mars: some approach the Earth (sometimes unnervingly closely), while others, in the Kuiper Belt, are beyond the orbit of Neptune. The discovery of each of these classes is described in separate chapters as well as, when appropriate, the theory behind the formation of each and how it was developed.

Two chapters serve as something of footnotes, one on the different sources of asteroid names (dead astronomers, Greek mythology, places, etc.), and the other on the controversy in San Diego over streetlighting. The latter seems somewhat out-of-place in this book, though the story is worth telling: basically, there was a great fight over whether the city should install streetlights with a low impact on the nearby Palomar Observatory or a higher impact. The former were disliked by some due to their orangish, unflattering lighting. To make a long story short, the astronomers win in the short-run but lose in the long-run as a new administration comes in and, at significant expense, votes to install the high-impact lighting. Peebles does not describe the resulting effects at Mt. Palomar, which is a great absence from the book and effectively undercuts much of his argument.

The final chapters cover the potential for asteroid impacts, the discovery of Shoemaker-Levy 9 and its subsequent impact on Jupiter, and the possibility of defending against impacts.

Some minor goofs: Minor Planet Center director Brian Marsden (one of the most significant figures in modern solar system astronomy) is referred to as "Bruce Marsden" once, and the NASA administrator during the Challenger disaster, James Beggs, is consistently referred to as "Biggs."

My only other criticism is that the recounting gets a little tedious at times: asteroid X is discovered, then asteroid Y, then asteroid Z, and so on. But that would be a little hard to avoid in this sort of history, and Peebles manages to provide enough background, covering theory, techniques, and historical circumstances, to stay out of that rut most of the time.

It's an excellent book for those interested in the topic.

An outstanding introductory and reference work on the current thinking behind the asteroid phenomenon, including the controversies over naming, geological studies etc. Covers in some depth the main periods of asteroid discovery, from visual to photographic to automated. Also deals briefly with issues of asteroid origin; a very interesting discussion of the analysis of "groups" of asteroids, identified by similarities in their orbital elements, as well as interesting treatment of Jupiter's effects on sweeping out lanes in the asteroid belt. Excellent treatment of the NEA threat, from its inception up through the SL-9 impact.

Quirky treatment of light pollution in the middle of the book, in the context of the naming phenomenon (an asteroid was named for the city of San Diego after a light pollution ordinance was passed, but later rescinded, though the asteroid kept its name). It was an interesting discussion, and a story that deserves to be told, but didn't belong in the middle of this book.

A very good book to anyone that desires to acquire a good glimmer about the subject of Near Earth Objects and their threat to our civilization.

It covers all aspects from technical to politics and is a real tribute to many dedicated professionals and amateurs astronomers, geologist and others various scientists which are making history in asteroid and comets hunting. It also make me disapointed to know that the Southern hemisphere, were I live, is like a blind concerning the NEOs search effort.

Only one aspect prevent me too score 5 stars: In my opinion, the too long discussion on chapter 8 about he streetlights issue of San Diego.

A wonderful start book for anyone who intend to initiate in the NEOs study.

Although it's a little dry in places and could use some more illustrations and a few more photographs, the book does a decent job of introducing the reader to the history of asteroids, their discoverers, the implications for mass extinctions on earth, and the efforts being taken today to detect them and deflect them before they have a chance to make a bad impression.

As an amateur astronomer of 40 years one part of astronomy I am interested is asteroids, especially near Earth orbit asteroids. My main interest is Mars.

Curtis Pebbles does a good job giving the history of asteroids starting from Ceres. He lists the asteroids discoveries and the names and designation of the asteroids. Many different types of names much I really don't care for. Discoveries started out with classical mythology names but soon after time various categories of names were allowed. Even girl friends names allowed, plants,animals, cities, countries, rulers etc. An asteroid was even auctioned off by the discoverer to be named for money. INMO that went too far.

I would of liked a catalog or graph showing the asteroids by their orbits Near Earth, between Mars and Jupiter, asteroids beyond Jupiter etc. Also type of composition of asteroid and size. It would of made reference easier.

Many scientists and astronomers are listed and bibliographical information is given. There are some nice black and white pictures about various asteroids as well as a picture of Dr Eugene Shoemaker. Shoemaker- Levy 9 crashing into Jupiter is spectacular. For me it was great to see the impacts of the various sections of the comet Shoemaker- Levy 9 smashing into Jupiter but chilling to realise if the Earth got hit by it, it would have been lights out for the human race.

I was saddened to read about Gene shoemaker killed in a car wreck in Australia and his wife being badly injured. The world lost a great scientist and man. His wife was a great Comet finder and terrific helper.

The first part of the book was OK as I would of rather had the asteroids listed differently. Only 3 stars. The latter part of the book got much better with interesting detail how with CCD cameras and better telescopes asteroid hunting became much easier than earlier visual observing only. Much is stressed on having a large amount of people helping to find asteroids rather than only a select view.

The extinction of the dinosaurs is shown as a impact asteroid or comet event. Curtis Peebles shows the evidence that finally swayed many scientist to believe an impact rather than volcanic activity. Also the various time scales the Earth is due to be hit by different size asteroids is shown. The work and set up so far by various groups in asteroid detection world wide is shown and the need for an eventual asteroid deflection/destruction program to be eventually started as its not if the Earth is going to be hit by a huge asteroid with life extinction possible but when. Eventually we will have to have a system in place or face extinction.

I would of given this book a 5 star rating if the asteroids discussed would of been arranged better for referencing. Even so a good read with lots of valuable information. 4 stars