The Heavens on Fire
The Heavens on Fire
$79.00
USDImagine the night sky so full of shooting stars that the firmament itself seems to be crashing to Earth. When the most spectacular of all meteor showers - the Leonids - passed in 1966, observers saw 40 every second. In 1833, three widely-separated observers described the Leonid storm as 'the heavens on fire'. The returning Leonids are now reaching their peak with great activity expected in mid-November in the next couple of years. The Heavens on Fire vividly tells the history of meteors, and especially the Leonids, whose terrifying beauty established meteor science. Mark Littmann traces the history and mythology of meteors, profiles the fascinating figures whose discoveries advanced the field, and explores how meteors have changed the course of life on Earth. He offers advice on how and where to make the best of the forthcoming Leonid storms.
- Publication coincides with the meteor burst in November 99 when visible in Europe and North Africa
- Describes the greatest meteor showers in history, and anticipates the next great display
- Covers both the science and history of cosmic fireworks
Reviews & endorsements
"...an excellent reference for anyone with an interest in the history of the Leonid meteors or who wants to try to observe the possible storms of the next few years. The writing is very accessible to nonspecialists, but detailed enough to make it a must-have for meteor enthusiasts." Sky & Telescope
"Littmann tells his story with real flair, and expansively enough to teach a great deal of meteor, comet and meteorite astronomy in the process. There is considerable technical detail, mostly in side-bars, so the book is altogether satisfying both as a quick, informative read and also as a reference source. In addition, it is filled with well-chosen illustrations." Nature
"Mark Littmann engagingly traces the history and mythology of meteors, profiles the fascinating figures whose discoveries advanced the field, and explores how meteors have changed the course of life on earth...a great read." The Strolling Astronomer
"An authoriative history, a well written and lucid text...and a great read." Spectrum
"A very readable work....Highly recommended." Choice
Product details
September 1999Paperback
9780521779791
360 pages
247 × 176 × 19 mm
0.75kg
82 b/w illus. 3 maps 2 tables
Temporarily unavailable - available from TBC
Table of Contents
- 1. The night the stars fell
- 2. Sifting
- 3. Struggling to understand meteors
- 4. The November meteors in history
- 5. The critics attack
- 6. The discovery of the August meteors
- 7. 1866: the first predicted return
- 8. The comet-meteor connection
- 9. Meters for meteors
- 10. The coming fire shower - 1899
- 11. The world's safest fireworks display - 1932
- 12. New horizons in meteor science
- 13. Surprise - 1966
- 14. Killer comets and dis-asteroids
- 15. Catch a falling star
- 16. Prospects for 1998, 1999, and 2000
- 17. The journey of a meteoroid
- Glossary
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index.
