Hans Rickman

M.J. Valtonen

Planet Earth is part of our Galactic environment, not just the product of it, and it is still today influenced by phenomena related to Galactic forces. Specifically, our planet is affected by its near environment, in particular the small bodies in the Solar System. This book reviews the processes which cause the collisions of these small bodies with the Earth as well as the consequences of such collisions. The various articles take the reader through the Galaxy-Solar System connection to the orbital dynamics of the small bodies and to their number and distribution in near-Earth space. The hazards of the impacts of small bodies on Earth are evaluated, and the geophysical records of such impacts are discussed. The book takes the reader to the forefront of research on both impact cratering and the origin and evolution of small bodies in the Solar System. Thus it brings together two subjects, geophysics and astronomy, which are usually discussed in separate volumes but are closely knit together in this particular area of research.

Proceedings of the Meeting “Small Bodies in the Solar System and their Interactions with the Planets” held in Mariehamn, Finland, August 8–12, 1994

Worlds in Interaction: Small Bodies and Planets of the Solar System

Mikhail Y. Marov

Mikhail I︠A︡kovlevich Marov

Michail Jakovlevič Marov

The explosive growth of knowledge in the field of space exploration and, in particular the interdisciplinary character of the subject of collisions in the solar system, put the scientific interest of planetary and galactic astronomers, as well as specialists in geophysics, dynamics, and cosmochemistry in a common focus. Obvious highlights include the explosion in the rate of discoveries of Kuiper belt objects; better understanding of dynamics of main belt asteroids and the processes affecting their injection into the inner planets crossing orbits; growing understanding of the importance of comets and asteroids in the delivery of volatiles to the inner planets and even possibly in life origin on the Earth; great acceleration of NEO discovery and more reliable prediction of their future threat to the Earth. All these topics are thoroughly addressed and discussed by the top-level specialists in the field on the most comprehensive and unprecedented basis. Owing to its interdisciplinary character the book will undoubtedly meet an interest of specialists in the different fields of astronomy, planetary and Earth sciences.

Collisional Processes in the Solar System

Amongst the famous planetary inhabitants of our solar system there is an entire ecosystem of smaller, less recognised bodies in the form of comets and 'minor' planets. These native residents, derived from the building blocks of planets, contain valuable information. By studying them in detail, we may learn about the processes that occurred from the Sun's birth to the emergence of the solar system as we know it today.Small Bodies of the Solar System paints a detailed picture of the space missions, laboratory experiments and computer experiments behind our current understanding of the comets, minor planets, meteors and meteorites. With a rich selection of pictures, this book combines personal reflection and poetic imagery with a mathematical and physical overview to introduce the reader to these small wonders of our universe.

Small Bodies Of The Solar System: A Guided Tour For Non-scientists

Mikhail Ya. Marov

The exploration of our Solar System is rapidly growing in importance as a scientific discipline. During the last decades, great progress has been achieved as the result of space missions to planets and small bodies - as teroids and comets - and improved remote-sensing methods, as well as due to refined techniques of laboratory measurements and a rapid progress in theoretical studies, involving the development of various astrophysical and geophysical models. These models are based, in particular, on the approach of comparative planetology becoming a powerful tool in revealing evolu tionary processes which have been shaping the planets since their origin. Comets and asteroids, being identified as remnants of planetary formation, serve as a clue to the reconstruction of Solar System history because they encapsulated the primordial material from which the planets were built up. At the same time, these interplanetary carriers of original matter and mes sengers from the past, being triggered by dynamical processes well outside our neighboring space, were responsible for numerous catastrophic events when impacting on the planets and thus causing dramatic changes of their natural conditions. In the crossroads of astronomy and geophysics, recent years have seen a growing understanding of the importance of collisional processes through out the history of the Solar System and, therefore, the necessity to get more insight into the problem of interactions of planets and small bodies.

Peter T. Bobrowsky

Leading specialists in various disciplines were first invited to a multidisciplinary workshop funded by ICSU on the topic to gain a better appreciation and perspective on the subject of comet/asteroid impacts as viewed by different disciplines. This volume provides a necessary link between various disciplines and comet/asteroid impacts.

Hans Rickman

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