A unique handbook for astronomers interested in observing meteor storms and outbursts. Spectacular displays of 'shooting stars' are created when the Earth's orbit crosses a meteoroid stream, as each meteoroid causes a bright light when it enters our atmosphere at high speed. Jenniskens, an active meteor storm chaser, explains how meteoroid streams originate from the decay of meteoroids, comets and asteroids, and how they cause meteor showers on Earth. He includes the findings of recent space missions to comets and asteroids, the risk of meteor impacts on Earth, and how meteor showers may have seeded the Earth with ingredients that made life possible. All known meteor showers are identified, accompanied by fascinating details on the most important showers and their parent comets. The book predicts when exceptional meteor showers will occur over the next 50 years, making it a valuable resource for both amateur and professional astronomers.
- Explains the cause and evolution of meteoroid streams
- Identifies about 250 known meteor showers and forecasts exceptional meteor showers in the coming decades
- Contains new insights into comet fragmentation as an important source of main meteor showers
- Details results from the Leonid Multi-Instrument Aircraft Campaign
Hardcover: 802 pages
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 25, 2006)
ISBN: 0521853494