The last century has been an incredible age of space exploration tremendously expanding our knowledge of the universe. This amazing book reminds us that such knowledge often comes at a price. Space Disaster and Meteorite Alert! chronicles both the brave and adventurous space missions throughout history that have ended in disaster, as well as an asteroid's journey through the atmosphere to its eventual landing on Earth.
This book describes transportation disasters, such as car and truck accidents, shipwrecks, train derailments, and airplane crashes, and discusses the causes of these disasters.
This “accessible and always entertaining” (Booklist) combination of history, pop science, and in-depth reporting offers a fascinating account of the asteroids that hit Earth long ago and those streaming toward us now, as well as how prepared we are against asteroid-caused catastrophe. One of these days, warns Gordon Dillow, the Earth will be hit by a comet or asteroid of potentially catastrophic size. The only question is when. In the meantime, we need to get much better at finding objects hurtling our way, and if they’re large enough to penetrate the atmosphere without burning up, figure out what to do about them. We owe many of science’s most important discoveries to the famed Meteor Crater, a mile-wide dimple on the Colorado Plateau created by an asteroid hit 50,000 years ago. In his masterfully researched Fire in the Sky, Dillow unpacks what the Crater has to tell us. Prior to the early 1900s, the world believed that all craters—on the Earth and Moon—were formed by volcanic activity. Not so. The revelation that Meteor Crater and others like it were formed by impacts with space objects has led to a now accepted theory about what killed off the dinosaurs, and it has opened up a new field of asteroid observation that is brimming with urgency. Dillow looks at great asteroid hits of the past and modern-day asteroid hunters and defense planning experts, including America’s first Planetary Defense Officer. Satellite sensors confirm that a Hiroshima-scale blast occurs in the atmosphere every year, and a smaller, one-kiloton blast every month. While Dillow makes clear that the objects above can be deadly, he consistently inspires awe with his descriptions of their size, makeup, and origins. Both a riveting work of popular science and a warning to not take for granted the space objects hurtling overhead, Fire in the Sky is, ultimately, a testament to our universe’s celestial wonders.
This fascinating book looks at topics such as preparing disaster supply kits for homes and cars, learning how to use ham radios, reading maps, creating and practicing evacuation plans, setting up emergency contact people, and information about shelters. It also looks at different kinds of disasters and how to prepare for each one.
""Space Meteors 101"" offers a captivating exploration of meteors, asteroids, and their potential impact on Earth. This comprehensive guide delves into the origin and composition of meteors, their behavior in Earth's atmosphere, and their significance in shaping our planet's past and future. The book presents a compelling argument that understanding these celestial objects is crucial for scientific advancement and planetary defense. Readers will discover intriguing facts about meteors, such as their role in potentially influencing Earth's climate patterns and their possible contribution to the origin of life on our planet. The book draws on a wide range of scientific research, including data from NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies and findings from the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor event. By using analogies and real-world examples, it makes complex physics concepts accessible to both science enthusiasts and general readers. Progressing through three main sections, the book covers: 1. Fundamental concepts 2. Atmospheric behavior of meteors 3. Potential impacts on Earth It balances academic rigor with a conversational style, offering readers a solid foundation in meteor science while inspiring a newfound appreciation for the cosmic drama unfolding in the night sky.
