Cosmic Pinball: The Science of Cosmets, Meteors, and Asteroids [Hardcover]

Carlton Allen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071354603 | ISBN-13: 978-0071354608 | Publication Date: November 26, 1999 | Edition: 1

Based on the latest scientific research. Cosmic Pinball details what is happening right here in our planetary neighborhood. It pieces together the story of "rogue rocks" -- from the benevolent Leonid meteor showers, to Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's powerful impact on Jupiter, to the KT Event asteroid that is currently credited with wiping out the dinosaurs. Going beyond millennial hype. Cosmic Pinball provides a unique framework tying together both history and today's research -- to prevent a sound overview of the science of comets, meteors, and asteroids.

Summers and Allen have brought together three leading astronomers who are at the forefront of this cutting-edge field: Guy Consolmagno, Ph.D., Vatican Observatory: Daniel David Durda, Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder: David Kring, Ph. D., University of Arizona at Tucson.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The real story of the science behind the "rocks" from space. Based on the latest scientific research, Cosmic Pinball explores three cosmic intruders from right here in our planetary neighborhood: comets, meteors, and asteroids. It masterfully pieces together the many stories of these rogue rocks--from the memorable Leonid meteor showers, to Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's powerful impact on Jupiter, to the asteroid credited with wiping out the dinosaurs. Carolyn Sumners, Director of Astronomy at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and Carlton Allen, planetary geologist at NASA's Johnson Space Center, bring together a panel of highly respected scientists to dig through the many myths and fables surrounding the potentially treacherous trio of projectiles. The contributing astronomers are: Guy Consolmagno, SJ, Ph.D., Vatican Observator; Daniel Durda, Ph.D., Southwest Research Institute; and David Kring, Ph.D., University of Arizona. Going beyond the paranoia and hype, Cosmic Pinball provides a unique framework tying together myths, history, and today's research, to present a sound overview of the science of comets, meteors, and asteroids.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 190 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill; 1 edition (November 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071354603
• ISBN-13: 978-0071354608
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,030,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really good book on the subject, October 27, 2001

By 

Joan Roch (Montréal, Qc Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cosmic Pinball: The Science of Cosmets, Meteors, and Asteroids (Hardcover)

The book does a good job a teaching what these objects are, by using a precise and yet simple vocabulary. The text covers a lot of related subjects, including impact with earth, but never goes into catastrophism and sensationalism.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good science writing, June 5, 2009

By 

S. Plowright (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cosmic Pinball: The Science of Cosmets, Meteors, and Asteroids (Hardcover)

It is hard to find balanced & readable books on science topics that are not too dumbed down, nor too tediously academic. Also, this subject matter could so easily have been sensationalised.

This book has none of those failings. It is a straight talking, plain English, yet detailed tour of the science of potential impactor objects. It conveys the enthusiasm and deep knowledge that these scientists have for their subject, and their commitment to avoid trivialising it with hype.

It covers the main classes of object, their different characteristics and origins, cratering, statistical impact rates, and damage simulations. The conclusions are presented dispassionately.

Evidence of past impacts on the planets, Moon, & Earth are abundant. The existence of the objects and their orbits is well understood. Although there may have been greater impact rates in the past, impacts do continue. It is only a matter of time before Earth is struck again. It is up to our governments how to prepare for that.