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Meteorites

Meteorites

Meteorites

Their Impact on Science and History
Brigitte Zanda, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris
Monica Rotaru, Palais de la Découverte, Paris
Roger Hewins
August 2001
Paperback
9780521799409
$70.99
USD
Paperback

    What are these strange rocks that fall from the sky? Where do they come from? Are they a threat? What are they made of? How common are they? Throughout history, we have been fascinated by meteorites and their significance. As time has passed, we have learned more and more about these extraterrestrial objects and today, the scientific study of meteorites provides a wealth of information about the solar system. They 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, and the dust from stars that died long before our Sun formed. This comprehensive guide to meteorites, first published in 2001, was written by a team of experts. With the help of over two hundred full-colour photographs, diagrams and graphs, they will skillfully answer all your questions.

    • Twenty experts give a scientifically accurate account of meteorites
    • Clear and accessible explanations
    • Profusely illustrated throughout with colour diagrams and photographs

    Reviews & endorsements

    "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

    See more reviews

    Product details

    August 2001
    Paperback
    9780521799409
    130 pages
    231 × 172 × 12 mm
    0.426kg
    41 b/w illus. 122 colour illus. 4 maps 4 tables
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • 1. The harder they fall C. Perron
    • 2. Stones fallen from the sky U. Marvin
    • 3. Impact craters P. Thomas
    • 4. Cretaceous Park R. Rocchia, E. Robin and H. Leroux
    • 5. Like no rock on Earth B. Zanda, M. Christophe Michel Lévy, M. Bourot Denise and C. Caillet Komorowski
    • 6. Little planets D. Benest
    • 7. The Sound and the Fury J.-P. Bibring
    • 8. Signed carbon F. Robert, M. Festou and F. Raulin
    • 9. A stormy nebula R. Hewins
    • 10. The age of the solar system G. Manhès
    • 11. Galactic fossils E. Zinner
    • 12. Leafing through the past two centuries... P. Pellas
    • Glossary
    • Acknowledgements
    • Illustration credits.
      Contributors
    • C. Perron, U. Marvin, P. Thomas, R. Rocchia, E. Robin, H. Leroux, B. Zanda, M. Christophe Michel Lévy, M. Bourot Denise, C. Caillet Komorowski, D. Benest, J.-P. Bibring, F. Robert, M. Festou, F. Raulin, R. Hewins, G. Manhès, E. Zinner, P. Pellas

    • Editors
    • Brigitte Zanda , Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, France

      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 , Palais de la Découverte, Paris

      Monica Rotaru is Department Chief of Earth Sciences at the Palais de la découverte in Paris, where she organises scientific exhibitions. After her PhD in geochemistry, she has conducted research in climatology and written television science documentaries.

    • Translator
    • Roger Hewins