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Near-Earth Objects: Finding Them Before They Find Us
An insider's look at the science of near-Earth comets and asteroids
Of all the natural disasters that could befall us, only an Earth impact by a large comet or asteroid has the potential to end civilization in a single blow. Yet these near-Earth objects also offer tantalizing clues to our solar system's origins, and someday could even serve as stepping-stones for space exploration. In this book, Donald Yeomans introduces readers to the science of near-Earth objects―its history, applications, and ongoing quest to find near-Earth objects before they find us.
In its course around the sun, the Earth passes through a veritable shooting gallery of millions of nearby comets and asteroids. One such asteroid is thought to have plunged into our planet sixty-five million years ago, triggering a global catastrophe that killed off the dinosaurs. Yeomans provides an up-to-date and accessible guide for understanding the threats posed by near-Earth objects, and also explains how early collisions with them delivered the ingredients that made life on Earth possible. He shows how later impacts spurred evolution, allowing only the most adaptable species to thrive―in fact, we humans may owe our very existence to objects that struck our planet.
Yeomans takes readers behind the scenes of today's efforts to find, track, and study near-Earth objects. He shows how the same comets and asteroids most likely to collide with us could also be mined for precious natural resources like water and oxygen, and used as watering holes and fueling stations for expeditions to Mars and the outermost reaches of our solar system.
Of all the natural disasters that could befall us, only an Earth impact by a large comet or asteroid has the potential to end civilization in a single blow. Yet these near-Earth objects also offer tantalizing clues to our solar system's origins, and someday could even serve as stepping-stones for space exploration. In this book, Donald Yeomans introduces readers to the science of near-Earth objects―its history, applications, and ongoing quest to find near-Earth objects before they find us.
In its course around the sun, the Earth passes through a veritable shooting gallery of millions of nearby comets and asteroids. One such asteroid is thought to have plunged into our planet sixty-five million years ago, triggering a global catastrophe that killed off the dinosaurs. Yeomans provides an up-to-date and accessible guide for understanding the threats posed by near-Earth objects, and also explains how early collisions with them delivered the ingredients that made life on Earth possible. He shows how later impacts spurred evolution, allowing only the most adaptable species to thrive―in fact, we humans may owe our very existence to objects that struck our planet.
Yeomans takes readers behind the scenes of today's efforts to find, track, and study near-Earth objects. He shows how the same comets and asteroids most likely to collide with us could also be mined for precious natural resources like water and oxygen, and used as watering holes and fueling stations for expeditions to Mars and the outermost reaches of our solar system.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 15, 2015
Description: Of all the natural disasters that could befall us, only an Earth impact by a large comet or asteroid has the potential to end civilization in a single blow. Yet these near-Earth objects also offer tantalizing clues to our solar system's origins, and someday could even serve as stepping-stones for space exploration. In this book, Donald Yeomans introduces readers to the science of near-Earth objects--its history, applications, and ongoing quest to find near-Earth objects before they find us.
In its course around the sun, the Earth passes through a veritable shooting gallery of millions of nearby comets and asteroids. One such asteroid is thought to have plunged into our planet sixty-five million years ago, triggering a global catastrophe that killed off the dinosaurs. Yeomans provides an up-to-date and accessible guide for understanding the threats posed by near-Earth objects, and also explains how early collisions with them delivered the ingredients that made life on Earth possible. He shows how later impacts spurred evolution, allowing only the most adaptable species to thrive--in fact, we humans may owe our very existence to objects that struck our planet.
Yeomans takes readers behind the scenes of today's efforts to find, track, and study near-Earth objects. He shows how the same comets and asteroids most likely to collide with us could also be mined for precious natural resources like water and oxygen, and used as watering holes and fueling stations for expeditions to Mars and the outermost reaches of our solar system.
Interesting, and a better read than listening to lectures on the subject.
In its course around the sun, the Earth passes through a veritable shooting gallery of millions of nearby comets and asteroids. One such asteroid is thought to have plunged into our planet sixty-five million years ago, triggering a global catastrophe that killed off the dinosaurs. Yeomans provides an up-to-date and accessible guide for understanding the threats posed by near-Earth objects, and also explains how early collisions with them delivered the ingredients that made life on Earth possible. He shows how later impacts spurred evolution, allowing only the most adaptable species to thrive--in fact, we humans may owe our very existence to objects that struck our planet.
Yeomans takes readers behind the scenes of today's efforts to find, track, and study near-Earth objects. He shows how the same comets and asteroids most likely to collide with us could also be mined for precious natural resources like water and oxygen, and used as watering holes and fueling stations for expeditions to Mars and the outermost reaches of our solar system.
Interesting, and a better read than listening to lectures on the subject.
January 5, 2016
More and more of these near-earth objects are being discovered everyday. This book chronicles the various types of objects that Earth encounters as we go merrily along our orbit around the sun and march through the galaxy, the search efforts to find them, and the options we have should we discover one on a a collison course with this place we call home.
Nothing to worry about now (as far as we know) but on April 13, 2029, flyby of asteroid Apophis will be one for the record books. On that date, Apophis will become the one of the closest flybys of an asteroid of its size when it comes approximately 19, 400 miles (31,300 kilometers) above Earth's surface. On average, an asteroid the size of Apophis, 1,066 feet (325 meters) can be expected to impact Earth about every 80,000 years. For perspective, if the distance to the moon equals one, then this asteroid will pass within 0.08 lunar distances.
Nothing to worry about now (as far as we know) but on April 13, 2029, flyby of asteroid Apophis will be one for the record books. On that date, Apophis will become the one of the closest flybys of an asteroid of its size when it comes approximately 19, 400 miles (31,300 kilometers) above Earth's surface. On average, an asteroid the size of Apophis, 1,066 feet (325 meters) can be expected to impact Earth about every 80,000 years. For perspective, if the distance to the moon equals one, then this asteroid will pass within 0.08 lunar distances.
November 5, 2015
Learned a ton from this book - way more than I expected going into it. Considering how many pop-sci astronomy books I read, I didn't expect a 170 page book to give me much new information. Yeomans kept his focus so perfectly narrow to the subject matter that it let him hit many new topics that most other books of its kin touch.
This book actually made me want to take a closer look at the math involved in basic astronomy because it was one of the most interesting parts of this book.
This book actually made me want to take a closer look at the math involved in basic astronomy because it was one of the most interesting parts of this book.
October 24, 2020
2.5 stars for a mildly interesting overview that had some serious flaws.
Yeomans takes the reader through a very high-level summary of near-Earth objects (asteroids and comets), and the threat they pose to humanity. He goes through classification, celestial movement, history, current cataloging efforts, and potential mitigation plans. I thought his summary level and organization were really good for someone who's looking for an introduction to this topic. But I had some problems with other aspects.
First of all, his tone can get very dry. The first few chapters especially felt like reading a bunch of disjointed sentences from various textbooks, including the incomprehensible verbal recitation of equations (which drives me crazy). There was no flow and no interest for me. Either it got a little better or I got used to it as the book went on, but I was continually reminded of a boring textbook instead of the intriguing subject he was writing about.
Second of all, he includes a lot of footnotes. This isn't inherently a problem, and some of these were actually interesting tidbits. But a lot of it was listing a bunch of people who are currently working on this topic. It felt like a lot of his industry friends begged him to include their names in his book and he dutifully listed everyone. Maybe this is standard practice, but I haven't noticed this with other non-fiction books I've read. Maybe other authors are just better at incorporating these lists into the book.
If you're burning with desire to learn about asteroids (and they ARE interesting), I would hesitantly give you this title. But I would also encourage you to find another book on the topic. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend.
Yeomans takes the reader through a very high-level summary of near-Earth objects (asteroids and comets), and the threat they pose to humanity. He goes through classification, celestial movement, history, current cataloging efforts, and potential mitigation plans. I thought his summary level and organization were really good for someone who's looking for an introduction to this topic. But I had some problems with other aspects.
First of all, his tone can get very dry. The first few chapters especially felt like reading a bunch of disjointed sentences from various textbooks, including the incomprehensible verbal recitation of equations (which drives me crazy). There was no flow and no interest for me. Either it got a little better or I got used to it as the book went on, but I was continually reminded of a boring textbook instead of the intriguing subject he was writing about.
Second of all, he includes a lot of footnotes. This isn't inherently a problem, and some of these were actually interesting tidbits. But a lot of it was listing a bunch of people who are currently working on this topic. It felt like a lot of his industry friends begged him to include their names in his book and he dutifully listed everyone. Maybe this is standard practice, but I haven't noticed this with other non-fiction books I've read. Maybe other authors are just better at incorporating these lists into the book.
If you're burning with desire to learn about asteroids (and they ARE interesting), I would hesitantly give you this title. But I would also encourage you to find another book on the topic. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend.
February 16, 2013
As I write this there has just been a meteor strike in Russia leaving hundreds injured, so it is very timely to be considering, as the subtitle puts it, how we can find ‘them before they find us.�
Donald Yeomans� book introduces us to the origins of the solar system (including a relatively recent update on the traditional model with the ‘Nice model�) and explains why there is so much debris out there that has the potential of crashing to Earth from the tiny bits of dust and pebble sized rocks that burn up harmlessly as meteors to the impressively large and scary kilometre scale asteroids and comets.
While in no sense scare-mongering, Yeomans makes it clear just why we need to be on the look out for incoming material, explains what the risks are and explores the opportunities for intervening and preventing potential disaster. It’s not all doom and gloom, though, as Yeomans also gives us chapter and verse on the potential to make use of relatively accessible near Earth objects, either to get hold of scarce materials, to act as a way station en route to a distant destination like Mars, or both (when, for instance a NEO way station could be mined for water on the way to Mars).
Unlike many books involving space exploration I didn’t get the feeling of fantasy, wishful thinking or sabre rattling. Yeomans just gives us good, reasoned arguments, presented in the main in a likeable, friendly fashion. The only major irritation is that Yeomans does occasionally flip into ‘astronomer cataloguing mode�, giving us long tedious lists, foe example when describing where the near Earth objects come from. Be prepared to skip a page or two � but the focus on readability soon returns.
Overall, if you are interested in astronomy, the solar system or the survival of the human race, this is a book that should spark your interest.
Review first published on and reproduced with permission
Donald Yeomans� book introduces us to the origins of the solar system (including a relatively recent update on the traditional model with the ‘Nice model�) and explains why there is so much debris out there that has the potential of crashing to Earth from the tiny bits of dust and pebble sized rocks that burn up harmlessly as meteors to the impressively large and scary kilometre scale asteroids and comets.
While in no sense scare-mongering, Yeomans makes it clear just why we need to be on the look out for incoming material, explains what the risks are and explores the opportunities for intervening and preventing potential disaster. It’s not all doom and gloom, though, as Yeomans also gives us chapter and verse on the potential to make use of relatively accessible near Earth objects, either to get hold of scarce materials, to act as a way station en route to a distant destination like Mars, or both (when, for instance a NEO way station could be mined for water on the way to Mars).
Unlike many books involving space exploration I didn’t get the feeling of fantasy, wishful thinking or sabre rattling. Yeomans just gives us good, reasoned arguments, presented in the main in a likeable, friendly fashion. The only major irritation is that Yeomans does occasionally flip into ‘astronomer cataloguing mode�, giving us long tedious lists, foe example when describing where the near Earth objects come from. Be prepared to skip a page or two � but the focus on readability soon returns.
Overall, if you are interested in astronomy, the solar system or the survival of the human race, this is a book that should spark your interest.
Review first published on and reproduced with permission
June 4, 2013
A pretty basic and introductory book on the subject of Near-Earth Objects. This book turned out to be exactly something that I was looking for. To be precise, I really wanted to read this book to understand what NASA (and Mankind) is doing to prepare for this catastrophic event i.e collision of earth with a Comet or an Asteroid, and this book provided me with more than I had expected in this regard. This book was short, fast-paced and to the point. At some point in the book I could really see Author proposing deflecting an incoming Asteroid in a Michael Bay's "Armageddon" style but thankfully he did back those scenarios up with proper scientific solutions. I would say if you start this book with low expectations you will find this book extremely interesting and satisfactory.
March 24, 2016
A great reference and introduction to the topic. Dr. Yeomans is clear, well-organized, and thorough - he covers every significant aspect of this field, and I learned a lot even though I've been reading books and articles about this subject for over a decade (I also recommend 'Rain of Iron and Ice' by John Lewis.) If you're interested in the history, future, state of the science, and potential economics and scientific possibilities of near-Earth and potentially near-Earth asteroids and comets, this book is well worth your time and attention. It flows well and is thoroughly indexed and footnoted. Highly recommended.
August 31, 2013
As is obvious by the title, this book is all about near-Earth objects. Asteroids, comets, and the like. I learned a lot from the chapter on the formation of the solar system. The author isn't afraid to go into detail, which I like. The writing isn't all too polished, with lots of repeated sentences, and some repeated sentences, too.
March 16, 2022
When I volunteered to coach Science Olympiad I expected to be put in charge of ornithology, Green Generation or Dynamic Planet. Instead I ended up coaching Solar System. I picked up this book as part of a huge stack I checked out of the library to help me gain some insight on what in the world (er� universe) I was supposed to teach these kids. I only meant to skim quickly through this book, but ended up reading most of it. The parts about what near earth objects can tell us about the formation of our solar system was particularly interesting.
Turns out the test focused more on gas giants and exoplanets. But at least I feel a little smarter and feel more certain that an asteroid won’t take us all out in the very near future.
Turns out the test focused more on gas giants and exoplanets. But at least I feel a little smarter and feel more certain that an asteroid won’t take us all out in the very near future.
January 4, 2022
XXXXX
The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn’t have a space program
XXXXX
“During the morning of October 6, 2008, Eastern Standard Time…[the] director of the Minor Planet Center couldn’t believe what the computer was telling him. In less than twelve hours, a near-Earth asteroid would collide with the Earth.�
The above quote (in italics) is found in this informative and accessible book by David Yeomans. He is Fellow and Senior Research Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he’s manager of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Office. Yeomans has an asteroid named after him.
According to this book, Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) are “comets and asteroids that approach the Sun to within [about 120 million miles] so…they can approach the Earth’s orbit to within [about 30 billion miles].� Comets & asteroids and thus NEOs are the leftover bits and pieces from the early solar system formation process.�
This book conveys the following with respect to NEOs:
(1) Scientific importance
(2) The origin and development of life
(3) Future space resources
(4) The defence of our planet from a sizeable and thus damaging impact
In terms of life, we humans may owe our very existence (and our dominance of planet Earth—remember the dinosaurs) to NEOs that struck the Earth!!
We need to find NEOs early and track them to ensure that none of them has the Earth’s name on it. While they are critically important to our future, if we don’t find them before they find us, we may not have a future!! Why? Because one impact has the capacity to wipe out our entire civilization.
The last three chapters of this book deal, respectively, with NEO threats to Earth, predictions of NEO impacts, and the deflection of a NEO. Remember, “The question is not whether an asteroid has Earth’s name on it but rather which one and when?�
(Oh, by the way, the above quoted extract that begins this review actually occurred. It was later determined by tracking and calculations that this asteroid would not pose a threat to Earth.)
All the illustrations (diagrams and black & white photographs) in this book are quite instructive and add another dimension to the main narrative. There are forty illustrations peppered throughout. As well, almost every page has footnotes that provide interesting additional information.
The photo on the cover of this book (shown above by Good Reads) is an artist’s portrayal of near-Earth asteroid “Apophis.� On April 13, 2029, it will pass close enough to the Earth so as to be observable with the naked eye in Europe and North America. (Mark your calendar!)
Finally, Yeomans, as mentioned above, states that asteroids and comets can only be NEOs. Then what are objects such as meteors, fireballs, artificial satellites, and artificial space junk called?
In conclusion, this is a well-written book. The author tells us at the very end that:
Near-Earth objects are among the smallest members of the solar system, but their diminutive size is in no way proportional to their importance. When it comes to their role in the development and future of humankind, next to the Sun itself, theirs is the most important realm.�
(2013; illustrations; preface; acknowledgements; 10 chapters; main narrative 155 pages; references; appendix; index)
XXXXX
The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn’t have a space program
XXXXX
“During the morning of October 6, 2008, Eastern Standard Time…[the] director of the Minor Planet Center couldn’t believe what the computer was telling him. In less than twelve hours, a near-Earth asteroid would collide with the Earth.�
The above quote (in italics) is found in this informative and accessible book by David Yeomans. He is Fellow and Senior Research Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he’s manager of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Office. Yeomans has an asteroid named after him.
According to this book, Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) are “comets and asteroids that approach the Sun to within [about 120 million miles] so…they can approach the Earth’s orbit to within [about 30 billion miles].� Comets & asteroids and thus NEOs are the leftover bits and pieces from the early solar system formation process.�
This book conveys the following with respect to NEOs:
(1) Scientific importance
(2) The origin and development of life
(3) Future space resources
(4) The defence of our planet from a sizeable and thus damaging impact
In terms of life, we humans may owe our very existence (and our dominance of planet Earth—remember the dinosaurs) to NEOs that struck the Earth!!
We need to find NEOs early and track them to ensure that none of them has the Earth’s name on it. While they are critically important to our future, if we don’t find them before they find us, we may not have a future!! Why? Because one impact has the capacity to wipe out our entire civilization.
The last three chapters of this book deal, respectively, with NEO threats to Earth, predictions of NEO impacts, and the deflection of a NEO. Remember, “The question is not whether an asteroid has Earth’s name on it but rather which one and when?�
(Oh, by the way, the above quoted extract that begins this review actually occurred. It was later determined by tracking and calculations that this asteroid would not pose a threat to Earth.)
All the illustrations (diagrams and black & white photographs) in this book are quite instructive and add another dimension to the main narrative. There are forty illustrations peppered throughout. As well, almost every page has footnotes that provide interesting additional information.
The photo on the cover of this book (shown above by Good Reads) is an artist’s portrayal of near-Earth asteroid “Apophis.� On April 13, 2029, it will pass close enough to the Earth so as to be observable with the naked eye in Europe and North America. (Mark your calendar!)
Finally, Yeomans, as mentioned above, states that asteroids and comets can only be NEOs. Then what are objects such as meteors, fireballs, artificial satellites, and artificial space junk called?
In conclusion, this is a well-written book. The author tells us at the very end that:
Near-Earth objects are among the smallest members of the solar system, but their diminutive size is in no way proportional to their importance. When it comes to their role in the development and future of humankind, next to the Sun itself, theirs is the most important realm.�
(2013; illustrations; preface; acknowledgements; 10 chapters; main narrative 155 pages; references; appendix; index)
XXXXX
July 13, 2016
Yeomans makes a case for the study of near-earth objects. The subtitle, "Finding Them Before They Find Us," is probably added by the publisher to sell more books with the shock and awe of doomsday. Yeomans demonstrates many more compelling reasons to care about NEOs. He points out that, while impacts from NEOs can bring destruction, they also have played an essential role in encouraging the development and evolution of life. It is possible they seeded the earth with water and organics. It is possible, though less likely, that life originated elsewhere and was brought to earth on asteroids or comets. They have opportunities for developing and refining space exploration programs and are sometimes easier to reach than the Moon. They also provide economic opportunities, with some containing metals that are rare on Earth.
Most NEOs migrated to the inner solar system from elsewhere, so Yeomans explains orbital dynamics to show where they originated, how they got here, and how we know how they got here. If you are not an astrophysicist, the scientific studies of Hal Levison and other astrodynamics experts would sooner tie your brain in a knot than give you a better understanding of the solar system. Yeomans explains orbital dynamics, the Nice model, and Yarkovsky effect in ways that are easy to understand, providing excellent footnotes and citations for those readers who want to delve deeper.
For the reader who is interested in only one or two particular aspects of NEOs, the book is well-organized, with each chapter standing alone as a very informative article. Yeomans points the reader to other chapters, where useful, to help readers who are skipping around. Each chapter has an intro, summary, works cited, tables and graphics, etc. You will not find a better resource on near-earth objects than this book!
Most NEOs migrated to the inner solar system from elsewhere, so Yeomans explains orbital dynamics to show where they originated, how they got here, and how we know how they got here. If you are not an astrophysicist, the scientific studies of Hal Levison and other astrodynamics experts would sooner tie your brain in a knot than give you a better understanding of the solar system. Yeomans explains orbital dynamics, the Nice model, and Yarkovsky effect in ways that are easy to understand, providing excellent footnotes and citations for those readers who want to delve deeper.
For the reader who is interested in only one or two particular aspects of NEOs, the book is well-organized, with each chapter standing alone as a very informative article. Yeomans points the reader to other chapters, where useful, to help readers who are skipping around. Each chapter has an intro, summary, works cited, tables and graphics, etc. You will not find a better resource on near-earth objects than this book!
January 13, 2015
Somethings I left previously not knowing
* asteroids can enter the earth atmosphere, light up, then exit it and continue on their merry way
* Asteroids contain lots of precious heavy metals (gold, platinum) that have sunk to the bottom on earth
* Satellites are constantly looking down and see air blasts and meteors but most don't happen in populated area's so they seem rare
* Landing on an asteroid is incredibly challenging with lots of logistical problems, making it a good test bed for skills to get to Mars
* Earths orbit around the sun doesn't have the sun at the centre, but rather the sun is to one side, closest to earth in January
* Due to the earths rotation the suns energy is radiated back down in the afternoon, making the afternoon hotter than a comparable time in the morning.
Overall the book could have moved a little faster
* asteroids can enter the earth atmosphere, light up, then exit it and continue on their merry way
* Asteroids contain lots of precious heavy metals (gold, platinum) that have sunk to the bottom on earth
* Satellites are constantly looking down and see air blasts and meteors but most don't happen in populated area's so they seem rare
* Landing on an asteroid is incredibly challenging with lots of logistical problems, making it a good test bed for skills to get to Mars
* Earths orbit around the sun doesn't have the sun at the centre, but rather the sun is to one side, closest to earth in January
* Due to the earths rotation the suns energy is radiated back down in the afternoon, making the afternoon hotter than a comparable time in the morning.
Overall the book could have moved a little faster
April 15, 2014
This book is an excellent introduction to all things asteroid-related, whether you're an asteroid miner or interested in placing some comet baseball.
It's relatively short, which is � in my opinion � a good thing. I can't usually finish non-fiction. Even so, it took me two months or so. It's written for a layperson, which is reasonable but somewhat obnoxious if you're a scientist.
One problem is that the editing is kind of not great. The author repeats himself a lot, both between sections and within � sometimes almost word for word. This would have been easy to fix. That's probably why it doesn't get five stars, and I was tempted to give it three � except that I actually finished it (again, a rare occurrence for me with non-fiction).
It's relatively short, which is � in my opinion � a good thing. I can't usually finish non-fiction. Even so, it took me two months or so. It's written for a layperson, which is reasonable but somewhat obnoxious if you're a scientist.
One problem is that the editing is kind of not great. The author repeats himself a lot, both between sections and within � sometimes almost word for word. This would have been easy to fix. That's probably why it doesn't get five stars, and I was tempted to give it three � except that I actually finished it (again, a rare occurrence for me with non-fiction).
December 26, 2012
This book was very interesting and, for the most part, easy to understand.
May 12, 2013
A good introduction to the topic of Near Earth Objects. Hopefully, as we gain new knowledge in the future, it would be interesting to see this book revised and expanded.
July 6, 2013
Interesting and a good up to date overview of the solar system. Also, it is fascinating that one day the asteroids might be mined.
January 3, 2016
I love this book.
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