Meteorites: Their Impact on Science and History [Paperback]

Brigitte Zanda (Editor), Monica Rotaru (Editor), Roger Hewins (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521799406 | ISBN-13: 978-0521799409 | Publication Date: August 13, 2001

What are meteorites? Where do they come from? Are they a threat? What are they made of? How common are they? As centuries have passed, our knowledge of these extraterrestrial objects has advanced immensely, and today, the scientific study of meteorites provides a wealth of information about the solar system. Meteorites 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
• the dust from stars that died long before our Sun formed.

Written by a team of experts, Meteorites is an accessible, comprehensive guide that features over two hundred full-color photographs, diagrams and graphs. Look no further for a wonderful introduction to these powerful, yet mystifying, objects. Brigitte Zanda is Associate Professor at the Mineralogy Laboratory of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, and Adjunct Member of the Graduate Faculty at Rutgers University. Following on from her PhD in Geochemistry, she has written many papers in Meteoritics and Planetary Science and other journals, and is a member of the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society. Monica Rotaru is Department Chief of Earth Sciences at the Palais de la découverte in Paris, where she organizes scientific exhibitions. After her PhD in geochemistry, she has conducted research in climatology and written television science documentaries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is full packed on information and illustrations, striking the right balance between history and science." The Tecumseh Review

"This is a nice popular science book on planetary science that bravely encompasses many of the more complex aspects of planetary science, including short-lived radionuclides, exposure ages and nucleosysnthesis, all in a remarkably well-presented manner...it is very readable...The book is well illustrated with many magnificent pictures and diagrams...this book is a must....As a source for quick facts, which never seem to be at hand when you need them, and ways to explain planetary science in a concise, but accurate manner,...My advice is to just flip the pages and you'll probably end up buying a copy." Meteoritics & Planetary Science

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521799406
• ISBN-13: 978-0521799409
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,528,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A good study, April 25, 2011

By 

BernardZ (Melbourne, vic Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meteorites: Their Impact on Science and History (Paperback)

This book has very nice photographs and diagrams on the subject. Much detail on the subject explained in a readable format.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, March 28, 2010

By 

Astronomy buff (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Meteorites: Their Impact on Science and History (Paperback)

This is a relatively short book, but packed with information on how the age and formation of solar system is revealed by meteorites. I was particularly interested in how much information can be gleaned from the tiny condrite grains. The isotopic anomalies in meteorites is evidence of where and how certain constituents were formed. The book is very well illustrated and informative.