Introduction 6 Chapter1 Amazing Asteroids 10 Early Observations 11 Later Advances 14 Naming Asteroids 16 Asteroids That Are Close to Earth 17 Calculating Asteroid Mass and Density 22 Asteroids Comets and Their Differences 24 Classifying Asteroids 25 Asteroid Rotation and Shape 26 Exploring Asteroids 27 The Origin of Asteroids 31 Chapter2 Shooting Stars The Science of Meteors 34 Meteor Features 36 CONTENTS
Meteor Showers 42 Entering Earth’s Atmosphere 46 Meteor Crater 50 Chapter3 Studying Meteorites 55 The Different Types of Meteorites 59 Chondrites 61 Chondrules 63 Meteoritics The Science of Meteors and Meteorites 64 Achondrites 65 Meteorites Composed of Iron 69 Association of Meteorites with Asteroids 71 Meteorite Craters 76 Meteorites and the Early Solar System 78
Chapter4 The Universe of Comets 85 Classifying Comets 87 Early Study of Comets 89 Modern Research 90 The Process of Discovery 93 Inside Comets 96 The Tail of the Comet 102 Origin and Evolution 108 Halley’s Comet 110 Conclusion 116 Glossary 117 Bibliography 120 Index 124
