The Great Comet Crash
The Great Comet Crash
Out of Print
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.
- Authoritative and accessible text by comet and planet experts
- Complete photographic record, before, during, and after the collisions
- Vivid presentation captures the drama of this unique cosmic event
- Introduction by the three discoverers of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9
Reviews & endorsements
'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, 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
Product details
October 1995Hardback
9780521482745
128 pages
285 × 224 × 14 mm
0.785kg
20 b/w illus.
Unavailable - out of print July 2001
Table of Contents
- Foreword Gene and Carolyn Shoemaker
- 1. Introduction Jacqueline Mitton
- 2. A comet like no other Gene and Carolyn Shoemaker
- 3. The path to destruction Brian Marsden
- 4. The giant target John Spencer
- 5. Bangs or whimpers? Kevin Zahnle
- 6. The international observing campaign Michael A'Hearn
- 7. The string of pearls Harold Weaver and David Jewitt
- 8. The great crash John Spencer and John Rogers
- 9. Wiser after the event? Jay Melosh
- 10. What if …? Clark Chapman
- 11. Reference section
- Glossary
- Bibliography
- Index.
