Chasing Comets Asteroids And Mysterious Space Objects

Oumuamua is a space rock that formed around another star. Of the 10,000 space objects that have hurled past our Sun, this rock provides some proof that there are planets similar to Earth outside our solar system. This intriguing book reveals to young space explorers the secrets contained in the rocks that fly around in space.

What are asteroids, comets, and meteors made of? What can scientists do if an asteroid is headed toward Earth? Learn how astronomers prepare for space objects hitting Earth, from tracking them to building asteroid-hunting telescopes. Budding astronomers will learn all about meteors, asteroids, and comets, including the history of asteroids hitting Earth and the differences between space rocks.

Planets aren't the only objects beyond Earth's atmosphere. This valuable volume explains the difference between comets, asteroids, and meteoroids, their origins, and their significance to us on Earth. Readers will find out about famous comets, the dangers of asteroids, and what a meteoroid has to do with a falling star. A complement to space science curricula, there's plenty of astronomy vocabulary and eye-catching images to capture the interest of stargazers.

'A promising debut.' New Scientist Icy, rocky, sometimes dusty, always mysterious – comets and asteroids are among the Solar System's very oldest inhabitants, formed within a swirling cloud of gas and dust in the area of space that eventually hosted the Sun and its planets. Locked within each of these extra-terrestrial objects is the 4.6-billion-year wisdom of Solar System events, and by studying them at close quarters using spacecraft we can coerce them into revealing their closely-guarded secrets. This offers us the chance to answer some fundamental questions about our planet and its inhabitants. Exploring comets and asteroids also allows us to shape the story of Earth's future, enabling us to protect our precious planet from the threat of a catastrophic impact from space, and maybe to even recover valuable raw materials from them. This cosmic bounty could be as useful in space as it is on Earth, providing the necessary fuel and supplies for humans as they voyage into deep space to explore more distant locations within the Solar System. Catching Stardust tells the story of these enigmatic celestial objects, revealing how scientists are using them to help understand a crucial time in our history – the birth of the Solar System, and everything contained within it.

Asteroids are always moving in space, but what do we do if one of these giant space rocks heads straight for Earth? With technology and spacecrafts like DART, we now have the answer.

This visually stunning guide gives an up-close look at some of the more elusive objects in space. Definitions of better-known objects, such as comets, as well as lesser-known objects, such as centaurs and trojans, give a basic understanding of space objects and the history of how they were discovered. It also covers the scientists who theorized about their existence and the later scientists who actually discovered them. Readers will also get a look at how these objects can impact our future life and the plans scientists have for how we might learn more about them.

Your readers will get the chance to explore space from the comfort of Earth. They'll experience what it's like to fly through space and see asteroids and comets up-close. Exciting facts grab readers' attention while photographs show exactly what these amazing space objects look like. Manageable text makes this book perfect for developing readers and young space explorers.

What are comets and asteroids like, and could we ever visit one? Taking the form of an imaginary trip, this book explores the science and history of these objects, looking at recent studies and possibilities for the future.