Product Description

In recent years, meteorites have caught the imagination of scientist and collector alike. An army of people are now actively searching for them in the hot and cold deserts of Earth. Fascinating extraterrestrial rocks in meteorites are our only contact with materials from beyond the Earth-Moon system. Using well known petrologic techniques, O. Richard Norton reveals in vivid color their extraordinary external and internal structures and taking readers to the atomic level, describes the environment within the solar nebula that existed before the planets accreted. Extensively illustrated, this volume is a valuable guide to assist searchers in the field in recognizing the many classes of meteorites and it is a superb reference source for students, teachers and scientists who wish to probe deeper these amazing rocks from space. O. Richard Norton is a contributing editor for Meteorite magazine and the author of The Planetarium and Atmospherium and Rocks from Space (Mountain Press, 1998). For the last 40 years, he has taught astronomy and space sciences at various US institutions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #743340 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 374 pages

Review
"The author brings a very personal touch to this book, for he is a true meteorite afficionado. A major attribute is an unparalleled collection of spectacular photographs and figures illustrating all major aspects of meteoritics." The Canadian Mineralogist

"The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Meteorites is the perfect tome for those who want to do serious reading about astronomical phenomenon...The text could well be called 'the Complete Reader' on meteorites, asteroids and their effects on earth as it will serve the reader well as a ready reference on a fascinating subject." Miller Magazines, Inc.

"Extensively illustrated, this book is a valuable guide to assist searchers in recognizing the many classes of meteorites. It is a superb reference source for students, teachers, and scientists who wish to probe deeper into these amazing rocks from space." Physical Sciences Digest

"The book covers this new science thoroughly. It is well-written and understandable, with exceptional illustrations and graphics. The six appendices and the glossary provide an additional education in this fascinating field. It is time for a complete encyclopedia on meteorites and anyone interested in the universe or Earth will find it indispensable." Lapidary Journal

"This beautifully illustrated book is a comprehensive treatment of known meteorites of our solar system. An excellent compendium...an excellent reference for researchers and an excellent guide for students and other interested readers." Science Books and Films

"Engagingly written and profusely illustrated with photographs, micrographs, spacecraft imagery, and paintings, this encyclopedia presents an extensive tour of the classification, structure, history, and origins of meteorites ... Designed to bridge the gap between high-level professionals." Choice

"...it is beautifully and lavishly illustrated with many pictures of meteorites in thin section as well as of hand specimens." Science

"This book is incredibly attractive, a real labor of love. May it be discovered by the space agencies of this world so that they can learn abut samples already captured from space in order to guide future missions. Read it; display it for visitors, especially children, teachers, politicians, and even engineers!". Rocks and Minerals

About the Author
Since earning a degree in astronomy from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1960, O. Richard Norton has held directorial positions at the Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, the Max C. Fleischmann Planetarium, University of Nevada, Reno, and the Grace H. Flandrau Planetarium and Science Center, University of Arizona, Tucson. He has worked as an optical engineer on the design of optical telescopes at the Tinsley Laboratories, Berkeley, California, and the hemispheric projection system for the Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada, the forerunner of the modern Imax system. In 1977 he founded Science Graphics, a company producing science teaching slides in astronomy, space science, meteorites, geology, paleontology and the history of astronomy, used in the science teaching curricula of over 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States and further afield. His interest in meteoritics extends from his work with Frederick C. Leonard, a renowned early meteoriticist at UCLA. Through the years he has worked to promote the public understanding of science and especially the growing field of meteoritics. He is the author of the best selling book Rocks From Space (1994) and is currently Contributing Editor of the new popular journal Meteorite.

Customer Reviews

STUPENDOUS
THERE IS NOT MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THIS EXCEPTIONAL BOOK EXCEPT THIS IS AN EXCELLENT IN-DEPTH LOOK AT METEORITES WITH SUPERB COLOR PICTURES. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN METEORITES, ESPECIALLY COLLECTING THEM, YOUR LIBRARY SHOLD NOT BE WITHOUT THIS BOOK.

Great meteorite reference
This is a fantastic reference to meteorites. Large, beautifully bound and with great colour images and illustrations. Norton certainly knows his subject and takes us on a cosmic jouney, from black rocks found in the desert to a time before the formation of the solar system. There is plenty of technical and scientific details to feed the mind of the most educated reader. He explains concepts like radio-isotope dating with a clarity lacking at many eductional institutions today. Highly recommended for all those with an interest in space or astronomy and the growing number of meteorite collectors out there. My only minor criticism is that the font used in the book could have been a little bolder and easier to read for my aging eyes. Norton deserves a 10/10 for this fine effort.

A beautiful, illustrated book for everybody interested in meteorites
This book was delivered in excellent condition, and has already proved itself very useful. It is most interesting, provides useful information, and helps to understand the evolution of our solar system using the asteroid pieces fallen on Earth.