The solar system has always been a messy place in which gravity wreaks havoc. Moons form, asteroids and comets crash into planets, ice ages commence, and dinosaurs disappear. By describing the dramatic consequences of such disturbances, this authoritative and entertaining book reveals the fundamental interconnectedness of the solar system--and what it means for life on Earth.
After relating a brief history of the solar system, Alan Rubin describes how astronomers determined our location in the Milky Way. He provides succinct and up-to-date accounts of the energetic interactions among planetary bodies, the generation of the Earth's magnetic field, the effects of other solar-system objects on our climate, the moon's genesis, the heating of asteroids, and the origin of the mysterious tektites. Along the way, Rubin introduces us to the individual scientists--including the famous, the now obscure, and the newest generation of researchers--who have enhanced our understanding of the galactic neighborhood. He shows how scientific discoveries are made; he discusses the uncertainty that presides over the boundaries of knowledge as well as the occasional reluctance of scientists to change their minds even when confronted by compelling evidence. This fresh historical perspective reveals science as it is: an imperfect but self-correcting enterprise.
Journeying to the frontiers of knowledge, Rubin concludes with the exciting realm of astrobiology. He chronicles the history of the search for life on Mars and describes cutting-edge lines of astrobiological inquiry, including panspermia (the possible transfer of life from planet to planet), the likelihood of technologically advanced alien civilizations in our galaxy, and our probable responses to alien contact.
Authoritative and up-to-date but also entertaining and fluidly written, Disturbing the Solar System will appeal to any reader who has ever picked up a rock or gazed at the moon with a sense of wonder.
Review:
... Splendid. . . . Most writers make the pursuit of science seem purely mechanistic, devoid of characters or human foibles. Rubin is a welcome contrast. Duncan Steel(New Scientist)
... The book is scientifically accurate, and the writing is quietly competent. . . . Nearly half of [Rubin's] chapters represent his research interests in meteorites, asteroids and impact cratering, which are important but not yet over-told tales. . . . The book ends with the now de rigueur chapters on astrobiology, including a fascinating look at how humans might react if aliens were detected. Charles A. Wood(Nature)
... From a concise but complete description of the origin of the solar system to current thinking about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and much in between, this is an excellent read about our local astronomical neighborhood. (Choice)
... This is a terrific book. . . . What really sets [Rubin's] book apart is the perspective of an active researcher. Rubin well understands that science is not an answer, but a journey. . . . This book not only provides a lesson on the inner workings of science, but also a broad overview of the importance of meteoritics and planetary science. Timothy J. McCoy(Eos)
Table of contents:
Preface xi
PART 1: Overview of the Solar System
I. A Brief History of the Solar System 3
II. Where Are We? The Location of the Solar System 17
III. Heat Sources 33
PART 2: Earth and Moon
IV. The Magnetic Earth 47
V. Ice Ages 63
VI. Origin of the Moon 84
PART 3: Small Bodies, Impacts, and Rings
VII. Asteroids and Meteorites 99
VIII. What Heated the Asteroids? 118
IX. Mesosiderites: Biography of a Shocked and Melted Asteroid 129
X. Meteor Crater 143
XI. The Lunar Crater Controversy--a Brief Retelling 158
XII. Dinosaurs and the Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction 167
XIII. Recent Impacts: Tunguska to Shoemaker-Levy 9 183
XIV. Tektites: A Glass Menagerie 200
XV. Rings and Shepherds 215
PART 4: Life beyond Earth
XVI. The Search for Life on Mars 235
XVII. Panspermia 259
XVIII. Paucity of Aliens 281
XIX. Human Response to First Contact 299
Epilogue 321
Glossary 325
Additional Reading 343
Index 353
After relating a brief history of the solar system, Alan Rubin describes how astronomers determined our location in the Milky Way. He provides succinct and up-to-date accounts of the energetic interactions among planetary bodies, the generation of the Earth's magnetic field, the effects of other solar-system objects on our climate, the moon's genesis, the heating of asteroids, and the origin of the mysterious tektites. Along the way, Rubin introduces us to the individual scientists--including the famous, the now obscure, and the newest generation of researchers--who have enhanced our understanding of the galactic neighborhood. He shows how scientific discoveries are made; he discusses the uncertainty that presides over the boundaries of knowledge as well as the occasional reluctance of scientists to change their minds even when confronted by compelling evidence. This fresh historical perspective reveals science as it is: an imperfect but self-correcting enterprise.
Journeying to the frontiers of knowledge, Rubin concludes with the exciting realm of astrobiology. He chronicles the history of the search for life on Mars and describes cutting-edge lines of astrobiological inquiry, including panspermia (the possible transfer of life from planet to planet), the likelihood of technologically advanced alien civilizations in our galaxy, and our probable responses to alien contact.
Authoritative and up-to-date but also entertaining and fluidly written, Disturbing the Solar System will appeal to any reader who has ever picked up a rock or gazed at the moon with a sense of wonder.
Review:
... Splendid. . . . Most writers make the pursuit of science seem purely mechanistic, devoid of characters or human foibles. Rubin is a welcome contrast. Duncan Steel(New Scientist)
... The book is scientifically accurate, and the writing is quietly competent. . . . Nearly half of [Rubin's] chapters represent his research interests in meteorites, asteroids and impact cratering, which are important but not yet over-told tales. . . . The book ends with the now de rigueur chapters on astrobiology, including a fascinating look at how humans might react if aliens were detected. Charles A. Wood(Nature)
... From a concise but complete description of the origin of the solar system to current thinking about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and much in between, this is an excellent read about our local astronomical neighborhood. (Choice)
... This is a terrific book. . . . What really sets [Rubin's] book apart is the perspective of an active researcher. Rubin well understands that science is not an answer, but a journey. . . . This book not only provides a lesson on the inner workings of science, but also a broad overview of the importance of meteoritics and planetary science. Timothy J. McCoy(Eos)
Table of contents:
Preface xi
PART 1: Overview of the Solar System
I. A Brief History of the Solar System 3
II. Where Are We? The Location of the Solar System 17
III. Heat Sources 33
PART 2: Earth and Moon
IV. The Magnetic Earth 47
V. Ice Ages 63
VI. Origin of the Moon 84
PART 3: Small Bodies, Impacts, and Rings
VII. Asteroids and Meteorites 99
VIII. What Heated the Asteroids? 118
IX. Mesosiderites: Biography of a Shocked and Melted Asteroid 129
X. Meteor Crater 143
XI. The Lunar Crater Controversy--a Brief Retelling 158
XII. Dinosaurs and the Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction 167
XIII. Recent Impacts: Tunguska to Shoemaker-Levy 9 183
XIV. Tektites: A Glass Menagerie 200
XV. Rings and Shepherds 215
PART 4: Life beyond Earth
XVI. The Search for Life on Mars 235
XVII. Panspermia 259
XVIII. Paucity of Aliens 281
XIX. Human Response to First Contact 299
Epilogue 321
Glossary 325
Additional Reading 343
Index 353