When the Earth Had Two Moons: The Lost History of the Night Sky Contributor(s): Asphaug, Erik (Author) |
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ISBN: 0062657933 ISBN-13: 9780062657930 Publisher: Mariner Books OUR PRICE: $18.04 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: October 2020 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Science | Space Science - Science | Cosmology - Science | Astronomy |
Dewey: 523.1 |
Physical Information: 0.9" H x 5.3" W x 7.9" (0.70 lbs) 368 pages |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: An astonishing exploration of planet formation and the origins of life by one of the world's most innovative planetary geologists. How could this be, and what might it tell us about our own place in the universe? As it turns out, quite a lot. Fourteen billion years ago, the universe exploded into being, creating galaxies and stars. Planets formed out of the leftover dust and gas that coalesced into larger and larger bodies orbiting around each star. In a sort of heavenly survival of the fittest, planetary bodies smashed into each other until solar systems emerged. Curiously, instead of being relatively similar in terms of composition, the planets in our solar system, and the comets, asteroids, satellites and rings, are bewitchingly distinct. So, too, the halves of our moon. In When the Earth Had Two Moons, esteemed planetary geologist Erik Asphaug takes us on an exhilarating tour through the farthest reaches of time and our galaxy to find out why. Beautifully written and provocatively argued, When the Earth Had Two Moons is not only a mind-blowing astronomical tour but a profound inquiry into the nature of life here--and billions of miles from home. |