The Heavens on Fire The Great Leonid Meteor Storms Mark Littmann University of Tennessee, Knoxville Price: AUD$59.95
Status Available
Bindings: Paperback Date of Publication: 9/9/1999 Bibliographic Description: 1999 247 x 174 mm 360pp 2 line diagrams 80 half-tones 2 tables 3 maps
Imagine the night sky so full of shooting stars that the firmament itself seems to be crashing to Earth. The Heavens on Fire vividly tells the history of meteors, especially the spectacular Leonid showers. Publication coincides with the peak activity in mid-November, when swarms of a thousand meteors an hour may be seen. The great founding scientists, the history of meteors, and the dangers posed to Earth are all lucidly introduced. Advice is also given on how to make the best of the forthcoming Leonid shower.
Contents 1. The night the stars fell; 2. Sifting; 3. Struggling to understand meteors; 4. The November meteors in history; 5. The critics attack; 6. The discovery of the August meteors; 7. 1866: the first predicted return; 8. The comet-meteor connection; 9. Meters for meteors; 10. The coming fire shower - 1899; 11. The world´s safest fireworks display - 1932; 12. New horizons in meteor science; 13. Surprise - 1966; 14. Killer comets and dis-asteroids; 15. Catch a falling star; 16. Prospects for 1998, 1999, and 2000; 17. The journey o
Key Features
Publication coincides with the meteor burst in November 99 when visible in Europe and North Africa
Describes the greatest meteor showers in history, and anticipates the next great display
Covers both the science and history of cosmic fireworks
`This work represents a unique achievement as it is the first full-length book ever written on the subject of an individual meteor shower - the Leonids ... Overall this is an excellent reference for anyone with an interest in the history of the Leonid meteors or who wants to try to observe the possible storms of the next few years. The writing is very accessible to non specialist.
