The Great Comet Crash: The Collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 and Jupiter [Hardcover]

John R. Spencer (Editor), Jacqueline Mitton (Editor), Gene Shoemaker (Foreword), Carolyn Shoemaker (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 1995

The Great Comet Crash is a record of the spectacular collision between Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 and the giant planet Jupiter in July 1994. Researchers who were involved in all aspects of observing and interpreting the encounter give personal narratives of the events, from the discovery of the comet through to the dramatic effects on the appearance of Jupiter in the hours, days and months after the collision. The chapters are all by distinguished researchers who personally participated in the international teams who recorded the events. The book is illustrated in colour throughout by the very best images selected from professional observatories around the world. The Great Comet Crash is the definitive illustrated account by professional astronomers of the collision and its consequences.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

We've already heard about the discovery and spectacular demise of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 from David Levy himself in Impact Jupiter ; now we get the story from a multiplicity of perspectives, including that of Carolyn and Eugene Shoemaker. The Shoemakers and the eight other astronomers featured in this large-format, generously illustrated volume chronicle the discovery of the comet; the careful tracking of its relentless, kamikaze trajectory toward Jupiter; the crash of each fragment of this so-called String of Pearls comet; and the effect these tremendous collisions had on the giant red planet. The crash of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 was an unprecedented event, both in terms of the uniqueness of the comet itself and in our ability to transmit images of its swan song to millions of TV viewers and computer users. In the final chapters of this informative overview, astronomers H. Jay Melosh and Clark R. Chapman assess the unanswered questions left in the wake of this celestial event and try to imagine what would happen if such a comet struck the earth. Donna Seaman

Review

'Where the book really shines is in the illustrations, providing a photo album of the newly discovered comet, its evolution as it headed for its catastrophic end, the Galileo and Hubble Space Telescope observations, and the wealth of ground-based infrared and visual imagery ... highly recommended.' Paul Weismann, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, , in Science

'The great value of this book is that so much is written by the main players themselves ... One puts the book aside with a profound sense of excellence achieved ... a great book suitable for a wide range of readers, and great value too.' Astronomy and Space

' ... a great deal of riveting information ... a model of good popular science exposition.' Science Reporter, Journal of the Association of British Science Writers ' ... superbly illustrated ... full of information.' W. M. Napier, Endeavour

'... a worthy record of a very momentous event.' Journal of the British Astronomical Association ' ... well produced, with excellent illustrations, easy to read ... Overall a splendid book.' Popular Astronomy

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 29, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521482747
• ISBN-13: 978-0521482745
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,876,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)